Richard O'Brien (born Richard Timothy Smith on March 25, 1942 in Cheltenham… Read Full Bio ↴Richard O'Brien (born Richard Timothy Smith on March 25, 1942 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK) is a writer and performer. He is best known for writing the musical The Rocky Horror Show and its 1975 film adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in which he played the character of Riff-Raff. The stage show has been in almost continuous production since, and the cinematic version is one of the best known and most ardently followed cult films of all time.

He is also responsible for the little-known sequel, Shock Treatment.

I'm Going Home
Richard O'Brien Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

On the day I went away
Goodbye
Was all I had to say
Now I
I want to come again and stay
Oh my my
Smile, and that will mean I may
'Cause I've seen blue skies

Through the tears in my eyes
And I realize I'm going home
I'm going home
Everywhere, it's been the same
Feeling
Like I'm outside in the rain
Wheeling
Free to try and find a game
Dealing
Cards for sorrow
Cards for pain
'Cause I've seen blue skies
Through the tears in my eyes
And I realize I'm going home

I'm going home

I'm going home
I'm going home

Overall Meaning

Richard O'Brien's song "I'm Going Home" is a poignant, emotionally charged piece about finding oneself after being lost for a long time. The song hints at issues of loss and loneliness, as well as a longing for a sense of place and belonging. The opening verse, "On the day I went away / Goodbye / Was all I had to say / Now I / I want to come again and stay / Oh my my / Smile, and that will mean I may" highlights a sense of regret and longing for the past. The singer realizes that there is no going back, but he longs for the chance to remain in a place that brought him emotional solace.

The second verse, "Everywhere, it's been the same / Feeling / Like I'm outside in the rain / Wheeling / Free to try and find a game / Dealing / Cards for sorrow / Cards for pain" speaks of the singer's struggle to find a place where he belongs. The image of being outside in the rain, wheeling, and dealing cards for sorrow creates a strong sense of desperation and isolation. The chorus, "Cause I've seen blue skies / Through the tears in my eyes / And I realize I'm going home / I'm going home" highlights the singer's realization that his sense of belonging lies in returning home.

The repetition of "I'm going home" in the chorus reinforces the singer's desire for a sense of home and belonging. The chorus is powerful in the way O'Brien sings it, evoking intense emotion and passion. The song's overall message is that no matter how hard one tries to escape their past, there is a defining sense of identity rooted in one's past and that sense of identity can only be found by returning to one's roots.

Line by Line Meaning

On the day I went away
On the day when I left

Goodbye
Only word that I uttered to my loved ones at the time of my departure

Was all I had to say
I couldn't express my emotions and feelings in words while leaving

Now I
At this point in time

I want to come again and stay
I desire to revisit the place and stay there for a longer time

Oh my my
An expression of excitement or surprise

Smile, and that will mean I may
If you smile, it might indicate that I am welcome to return

'Cause I've seen blue skies
I have visualized the blue skies

Through the tears in my eyes
Even though I was crying

And I realize I'm going home
I've understood that I'm heading back to where I belong

Everywhere, it's been the same
The feeling has been identical no matter where I've been