Guess I'll Go Back Home
George Shearing; Nat King Cole Lyrics
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Should have gone there long ago
I wonder who I'll meet
When I walk up Main Street
Who'll yell the first "Hello!"?
Guess I'll go back home this summer
Mum will cry when I walk in
As Dad says, "Look who's here!
We're glad you're home again!"
After we've talked of everything
Then I'll get a restless spell
I'll walk by the house
Where she used to live
I hope she married well
Guess I'll go back home this summer
Leave this daily grind behind
There's nothing wrong I'm sure
That going home won't cure
I'll find my peace of mind!
Upon first listening to this song, it appears to be a simple tale about returning to one's hometown during the summer. However, a closer look shows that there is more to the story. The first two lines reveal a sense of regret for not having gone home sooner. The line "I wonder who I'll meet when I walk up Main Street, who'll yell the first 'Hello!'" shows a hint of excitement and anticipation for the homecoming.
When the singer arrives, his mother cries and his father is glad to see him. They catch up on everything and then he gets restless, which hints at a possible underlying issue or reason for his return. The singer then goes to walk by the house where "she" used to live, and he hopes that she married well. This line suggests that the singer might be returning home after a break-up, and is seeking closure or resolution of some kind.
The final verse is a hopeful one, as the singer decides that going back home will provide him with the peace of mind he seeks. It's a bittersweet song that encapsulates the mixed emotions and complex reasons for coming home.
Line by Line Meaning
Guess I'll go back home this summer
I am contemplating going back to my place of origin during this summer season
Should have gone there long ago
Admittedly, I should have revisited my hometown some time back
I wonder who I'll meet
I am curious about the individuals I will encounter during my visit
When I walk up Main Street
Specifically, the moment when I stroll through Main Street
Who'll yell the first 'Hello!'?
I am eager to discover who will be the first to offer their greeting
Mum will cry when I walk in
I anticipate my mother shedding tears when I arrive
She'll brush away a tear
My mother will take steps to wipe away her tears
As Dad says, 'Look who's here!
My father will express his excitement at my presence with the exclamation 'Look who's here!'
We're glad you're home again!'
Both of my parents will express their happiness at my return to our house
After we've talked of everything
Following a comprehensive discussion of various subjects
Then I'll get a restless spell
Subsequently, I will experience an uneasiness or restlessness
I'll walk by the house
I will take a walk past the house
Where she used to live
The place where she formerly resided
I hope she married well
I desire for her to have found a fulfilling and satisfying marriage
Leave this daily grind behind
Escape the tedious and repetitive routine of my everyday life
There's nothing wrong I'm sure
I am confident that there is no major problem
That going home won't cure
Which cannot be remedied by returning home
I'll find my peace of mind!
Ultimately, I will obtain a sense of mental tranquility
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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