Richie quit the band in 1981 for a solo career. He released his self-titled debut in 1982. The album hit No. 3 on the charts and sold over 4 million copies. His follow up album, Can't Slow Down, sold over twice as many copies and won the Grammy for Album of the Year in '84. His third album, '86's Dancing on the Ceiling spawned such hits as Say You, Say Me, Dancing on the Ceiling, and Se La, but would be the end of his commercial success.
His 90's albums such as Back to Front, Louder Than Words, and Time all failed to achieve the previous decade's commercial success. Some of his recent work, such as the album Renaissance, has returned to his older style, hoping to achieve more success.
I'm Coming Home
Lionel Richie Lyrics
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I can see the things
I should'a done, could'a done
I see so much of my life I let go by
But when you're young
All you know how to do is wrong
Life can play tricks sometimes, you know
You think you got everything
The only way you know where you're going
You gotta take a fall, you've got to lose it all
I've been through love
(I'm coming home)
I've been through some pain I know
(I'm coming home)
Changes in my life
(I'm coming home)
Now I know what's meaningful
(I'm coming home)
Looking back
I hear my family calling me
All my friends and loves I let go by
They wanted me to stay
But I was on a journey
There are so many faces
There are so many stories I know
But when I opened my eyes I had to realise
There's only one place to go,
This time I'm sure
I've been through love
(I'm coming home)
I've been through some pain I know
(I'm coming home)
Changes in my life
(I'm coming home)
Now I know what's meaningful
(I'm coming home)
Through all the things that I've been through
There's only one thing left to do
This time I'm gonna get it right (uh huh)
I've been through love
(I'm coming home)
I, I've been through some pain I know
(I'm coming home)
Changes in my life
(I'm coming home)
Now I know what's meaningful
(I'm coming home)
I've been through love
(I'm coming home)
Pain I know
(I'm coming home)
Changes in my life
(I'm coming home)
Now I understand what's meaningful
(I'm coming home)
So much love (Love)
(I'm coming home)
Pain I know (Pain)
(I'm coming home)
I, I've had some changes in my life
(I'm coming home)
Now I know what's meaningful
(I'm coming home)
What's beautiful, it's so beautiful
I'm coming home
(I'm coming home)
The lyrics of Lionel Richie's song I'm Coming Home talk about the concept of moving forward and looking back in life. The artist appears to be reflecting on his past and wishes he had done some things right or differently. The singer admits that when people are young, they mostly make mistakes because life is full of uncertainties, and sometimes they don't even know what they are doing. He further says that sometimes in life, we think that we have everything, but we have nothing. It is only when we lose it all that we find our way and understand where we are going.
Furthermore, the singer mentions that he has gone through love and pain and has experienced changes in his life. He listened to his family and friends, but he wanted to go on a journey to find himself, and he met different people with different stories. The song brings out the message that we can't stay lost in the journey forever, and there is only one place to go, and that place is home. He promises to get things right this time and learn from the things he has been through.
Overall, the song I'm Coming Home is a reflection of a man's journey through life, his experiences, and lessons learned. It encourages people to reflect on their past and embrace their experiences, as it is what makes them who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back
Reflecting on the past
I can see the things
Realizing the missed opportunities
I should'a done, could'a done
Regretting the things not done
I see so much of my life I let go by
Observing the wasted time and unfulfilled potential
But when you're young
Being naive and inexperienced
All you know how to do is wrong
Making mistakes and poor decisions
Life can play tricks sometimes, you know
Acknowledging the unpredictability of life
You think you got everything
Believing you have it all
When you got nothing at all
Actually having nothing of real value
The only way you know where you're going
Learning from failure and setbacks
You gotta take a fall, you've got to lose it all
Experiencing hardship and loss to gain wisdom and perspective
I've been through love (I'm coming home)
Returning to a place of love and comfort
I've been through some pain I know (I'm coming home)
Suffering from past experiences and seeking healing
Changes in my life (I'm coming home)
Embracing new opportunities for growth and improvement
Now I know what's meaningful (I'm coming home)
Discovering what truly matters in life
Looking back
Reflecting on the past
I hear my family calling me
Feeling a sense of connection to loved ones
All my friends and loves I let go by
Regretting lost relationships and connections
They wanted me to stay
Feeling a sense of obligation and nostalgia
But I was on a journey
Pursuing personal goals and aspirations
There are so many faces
Encountering many people on the journey
There are so many stories I know
Hearing and learning from the experiences of others
But when I opened my eyes I had to realise
Gaining a new awareness and perspective
There's only one place to go,
Feeling a sense of home and belonging
This time I'm sure
Being certain about the path forward
Through all the things that I've been through
Enduring past challenges and struggles
There's only one thing left to do
Having a clear purpose and direction
This time I'm gonna get it right (uh huh)
Having confidence in succeeding
So much love (Love)
Feeling loved and supported
Pain I know (Pain)
Enduring hardship and struggle
I, I've had some changes in my life
Experiencing personal growth and transformation
Now I know what's meaningful
Understanding what truly matters in life
What's beautiful, it's so beautiful
Appreciating the beauty in life and returning to a place of comfort
I'm coming home (I'm coming home)
Returning to a place of love and comfort
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LIONEL RICHIE, EUGENE BOOKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind