Early in their recording and airwave career, Lovin' Spoonful members termed their approach "good-time music". Unlike many pop groups of the day, the Lovin' Spoonful played all the instruments on their records, and aside from a few covers, wrote all their own material.
His group The Lovin' Spoonful played a major role in the mid-'60s rock revolution, but what leader, singer and songwriter Sebastian had in mind was actually a counter-revolution. "We were grateful to the Beatles for reminding us our rock & roll roots," John explains, "but we wanted to cut out the English middlemen, so to speak, and get down to making this new music as an 'American' band."
This the Lovin' Spoonful did like nobody before or since, putting their first seven singles into the Top 10. This was unprecedented, and utterly unthinkable at the height of Beatlemania. At first they'd taken older material from blues, country, folk and jug band sources - what we now term "roots music" - and made it sound modern. Then, in a series of original songs composed and sung by John Sebastian, they did the reverse, creating thoroughly modern music that sounded like it contained the entire history of American music. Which it did.
He embarked on a moderately successful solo career after leaving the Lovin' Spoonful in 1968. Sebastian was popular among the rock festival circuits. He had a memorable, albeit unscheduled appearance at Woodstock, appearing after Country Joe McDonald's set, playing songs such as "I Had A Dream," "Rainbows All Over Your Blues" and "Younger Generation" which he dedicated to a newborn baby at the festival. Documentary remarks by festival organizers revealed that Sebastian was under the influence at the time, hence his spontaneity and casual, unplanned set. Sebastian also returned for Woodstock '94, playing harmonica for Crosby, Stills and Nash. Sebastian released his eponymous LP John B. Sebastian in 1970, which featured him accompanied by various L.A. musicians.
Sebastian played harmonica with The Doors on the song Roadhouse Blues under the pseudonym G. Puglese to avoid problems with his contract, which was featured on Morrison Hotel album, also played on "Little Red Rooster" on the live album Alive, She Cried and on seven songs on Live In Detroit. He is also credited with playing harmonica on Crosby Stills Nash & Young's "Déjà Vu" from the album of the same name.
He had been involved in music for films (most notably Francis Ford Coppola's "You're A Big Boy Now" and Woody Allen's "What's Up Tiger Lily") and Broadway, but when producers of a TV show called "Welcome Back Kotter" commissioned a theme song in 1976, Sebastian's "Welcome Back" became a chart-topping solo record.
Thankfully John's induction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 hasn't slowed him down. Whether the stage is at Carnegie Hall or a folk festival in some far-flung locale, John is still out there spreading his gospel of American roots music. He is the subject of the current PBS special "Do You Believe In Magic: The Music of John Sebastian," and a new album of duets with David Grisman was released in 2007. He has also lent his music in support of social, environmental and animal rights causes. Recently he joined a delegation of songwriters (including Lamont Dozier, Allen and Marilyn Bergman, and Mike Stoller) in Washington, DC to campaign on behalf of the National Music Publisher's Association.
Perhaps because it has been the product of heart and soul and history, the oldest song in the Sebastian catalog is as fresh and vital as the song he's about to write tomorrow. That's why you still hear his music everywhere - in movies, on television, in cover versions and samples - and why it's always welcome. John is also a welcome media presence; his commentary, insights and anecdotes and stories are regularly featured in print, radio, TV and film documentary projects. John Sebastian is not only a master musician, writer and performer, he remains one of the best ambassadors American music has ever had.
Darlin' Be Home Soon
John Sebastian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And talk of all the things we did today
Here
And laugh about our funny little ways
While we have a few minutes to breathe
Then I know that it's time you must leave
But, darling, be home soon
My darling, be home soon
It's not just these few hours, but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
And now
A quarter of my life is almost past
I think I've come to see myself at last
And I see that the time spent confused
Was the time that I spent without you
And I feel myself in bloom
So, darling, be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling, be home soon
It's not just these few hours, but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
So, darling
My darling, be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling, be home soon
It's not just these few hours, but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
Go
And beat your crazy head against the sky
Try
And see beyond the houses and your eyes
It's okay to shoot the moon
Darling be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling, be home soon
It's not just these few hours, but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
"Darlin' Be Home Soon" by John Sebastian is a love song that expresses the singer's longing for his loved one. In the first stanza, he invites her to talk about their day and reminisce about their funny moments. He wishes for a moment to breathe together, but he knows that moment will soon come to an end when she leaves. He pleads with her to return home soon because he cannot bear to wait even an extra minute for her.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on his life and realizes that he has spent a quarter of his life without her. He feels that the time he spent apart from her was confusing and unfulfilling. But now that she is in his life, he feels alive and in bloom. He urges her to return soon so they can continue to talk and enjoy each other's company.
The bridge of the song contains a message of encouragement for his loved one. He tells her to go and chase her dreams, to see beyond their town and explore the world. He tells her it's okay to be daring and aim for the impossible. Despite all of this, he repeats his plea for her to return home soon, as he longs for her company and conversation.
Overall, the song is a tender plea for a loved one's return, filled with expressions of affection and a longing for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Come
Let's talk about our day together
And talk of all the things we did today
We'll discuss everything we did today
Here
Right here, right now
And laugh about our funny little ways
We'll share a moment of joy remembering the silly things we do
While we have a few minutes to breathe
Let's take this moment to catch our breath
Then I know that it's time you must leave
But I understand it's time for you to go
But, darling, be home soon
Please don't keep me waiting, come home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
I'm eager to see you, I can't wait another minute for you to come back
It's not just these few hours, but I've been waiting since I toddled
I've been waiting for you my whole life, not just for a few hours
For the great relief of having you to talk to
Because talking to you brings me great happiness
And now
As time has passed
A quarter of my life is almost past
I've lived a decent amount of time already
I think I've come to see myself at last
I've come to understand myself better
And I see that the time spent confused
I now realize that the time I was lost and confused was the time I spent without you
Was the time that I spent without you
I see now that I was lost without you
And I feel myself in bloom
Now that I have you, I feel like I'm finally blossoming
Go
Venture out into the world
And beat your crazy head against the sky
Don't be afraid to dream big and aim for the impossible
Try
Give it your all
And see beyond the houses and your eyes
Look beyond the basic things in life
It's okay to shoot the moon
It's okay to aim high and take risks
Darling be home soon
Please come home soon
My darling, be home soon
You mean everything to me, and I anxiously wait for your return
It's not just these few hours, but I've been waiting since I toddled
I've been waiting for you my whole life
For the great relief of having you to talk to
Talking to you brings me incredible joy and comfort
So, darling
My love
My darling, be home soon
Please come back to me soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
I can't wait to see you, please don't keep me waiting
It's not just these few hours, but I've been waiting since I toddled
I've been waiting for you my entire life
For the great relief of having you to talk to
Being able to talk to you is such a source of happiness and relief for me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN SEBASTIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josephmanser7670
The perfect recipe for a great performance. One man, one guitar, a song for the ages, and sung like he wrote it that morning. So proud, like a brand new father.
@goldog2816
Classic tune, the kind you fall in love with the first time you hear and still love 50 years later .........
@mirosuni
51 yrs later this song still brings tears. THE BEST!!!!
@fellini2011
Bittersweet. When my husband left for Vietnam in 1970, we played this song the night before he left - it became our song while he was gone. When he came home, he was so damaged, I barely recognized him when he walked off the plane. He left himself over there. Every time I hear this song, I feel the same feelings I felt for him the night he left and while he was away. It's eerie how it applied, too, after he returned home...Our lives are really mostly memories.
@lisabell4396
im so sorry to hear this....i thank your husband for his service and again im so sorry
@fellini2011
Sweet, thank you.
@JBCo2012
+fellini2011 G-D Bless Your Heart! Your Love and Tenderness will last Forever! Ask the LORD to guide You Always Sweet Lady!
Things will get better for you Angel Woman!
@DeanLorman
My heart goes out to you both. Just keep on living and loving and hopefully peace will find
@mary2al
So sad, So many build up the soldier thing but it is actually throwing our young in the meat grinder of adult political mistakes. Nobody mentions the high percentage of veterans with PTSD.
@fellini2011
Thank you everyone for your empathy and kind responses. My husband, my true soulmate, never recovered. He was so damaged and we were so young that he could no longer function in society or at home. He left me and our marriage some months later, and it broke my heart. The last I heard of him, he was homeless and living out of an old VW van, somewhere in New Mexico. I really don't even know if he is still alive. I am barely able to listen to it anymore~because when I hear it, the memories wash over me again like a tsunami. And yet, it's still a devastatingly beautiful song. Peace be with you all.