Profoundly inspired by a trip to Nashville, which included a slot at The Station Inn with Lucky Lips for Americanafest, Pettersen returned to Norway with several songs ready to record. Wanting to do something wholly different from the band sound of her debut, she recorded a mini album all-alone in the studio. Alonesome showcases Pettersen’s compelling – and at the same time fragile – voice and unique musicianship.
Citing Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and Ella Fitzgerald as some of her biggest influences, Pettersen effortlessly mixes country, blues, pop and even jazz in her music. As a songwriter she moves effortlessly between traditional love songs and complex observations on life itself.
The Ameripolitan nomination brought Pettersen back to Tennessee, and after the awards, she found time to record an entirely new album along with a handful of young Nashville cats, scheduled for 2020. But first up is the 6 song collection Alonesome.
Previously, Malin has enjoyed support slots for artists such as Sam Outlaw, Whitney Rose and Joshua Hedley, as well as playing shows with JP Harris and performing at Nashville’s famed Honky Tonk Tuesdays at the American Legion. Having both made waves and new friends in Nashville, Malin’s momentum is still building. Look out for new tour dates, but first of all Alonesome.
Hometown
Malin Pettersen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The people there had really gotten me down
If you've been through it you know what I mean
It's the same old people
The same old scene
If you know
You know
I left my worries but I took control
If you ask me I'd say I'm on a roll
People back home would say I'm on a spin
But the same old people don't know where I've been
I gotta go
Gotta go
If you know
You know
I gotta go
Gotta go
If you know
You know
It's not that I don't like that small town feeling
It's just that I've got some dealing to do
I've got my cards not gonna sit on my hand
And hope that I can always come back to you
I left my worries in my hometown
The people there had really gotten me down
If you've been through it you know what I mean
It's the same old people
The same old scene
I gotta go
Gotta go
If you know
You know
If you know
You know
I got to go
The song "Hometown" by Malin Pettersen is about leaving one's hometown due to feeling stifled and held back by the same people and routine. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and a desire for change. Pettersen sings about leaving behind her worries and taking control of her own life. She acknowledges that others back home might not understand her decision, but she is determined to pursue her goals and not look back.
The chorus of "If you know, you know, I gotta go, gotta go" not only emphasizes her need to leave, but also suggests that only those who have experienced a similar situation can truly understand her decision. The line "It's not that I don't like that small town feeling, it's just that I've got some dealing to do" indicates that the issue is not with the place itself, but rather with the limitations that it represents.
Overall, the song is an anthem for anyone who has felt the need to break away from the familiar and pursue their dreams. It acknowledges that leaving home can be difficult and even painful, but ultimately it is necessary for growth and personal fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
I left my worries in my hometown
I left behind all the negative memories and emotions that were holding me back when I lived in my hometown.
The people there had really gotten me down
The people who I surrounded myself with in my hometown made me feel unhappy and unfulfilled.
If you've been through it you know what I mean
If you have experienced this feeling before, then you can understand what I'm talking about.
It's the same old people
The people I grew up with and spent my life around are still exactly the same as when I left them.
The same old scene
The town and its surroundings are still the same, with nothing new or exciting to offer.
If you know
If you understand how I feel about my hometown, then you'll understand why I had to leave.
You know
You have empathy for me, and you understand that I had to make a change in my life.
I got to go
I need to move on and start a new chapter in my life.
I left my worries but I took control
I didn't just leave my problems behind, I took charge of my life and didn't let my past hold me back.
If you ask me I'd say I'm on a roll
If you were to ask me how I'm feeling, I would confidently tell you that I'm doing well in life.
People back home would say I'm on a spin
The people in my hometown might think I'm reckless or out of control because I'm taking risks and doing things differently than they do.
But the same old people don't know where I've been
The people in my hometown have no idea what my journey has been like and the experiences I've had since leaving.
It's not that I don't like that small town feeling
I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with living in a small town or that I don't appreciate the sense of community it brings.
It's just that I've got some dealing to do
I have personal issues and goals that I need to work through, and living in my hometown wasn't allowing me to do that.
I've got my cards not gonna sit on my hand
I have a plan and I'm not afraid to take risks and make moves in my life to achieve my goals.
And hope that I can always come back to you
I'm not burning bridges with my hometown, I hope to come visit and reconnect with old friends and family in the future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Malin Pettersen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind