I'm Comin' Home
Robert Earl Keen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Packed my suitcase and I racked my brain
Bought a ticket on a late night train
Took a taxi through the pourin' rain
I'm comin' home to you

Flew from Boston out to San Jose
Sae our old friends in Monterrey Bay
When they asked me if I'd like to stay
I said I'm comin' home to you

[Chorus]
I'm comin' home
Made up my mind that's what I'm gonna do
Can't love nobody on the telephone
I'm comin' home to you

They threw a party there from dusk 'till dawn
Seems like everybody knows old sleepy John
He said next time I better bring you along
I'm comin' home to you

They had fresh caught salmon on the bareques
There were people jammin' all night to the blues
Life is good out in Santa Cruz but
I'm comin' home to you

[Chorus]

I drove forever out to God knows where
Come ten-thirty there was no one there
They couldn't pay me but I didn't care
I'm comin' home to you

I'm feelin' better since I got your card
I read it over and over when the road gets hard
Ain't nothin' better than your own backyard
I'm comin' home to you

[Chorus: x2]

Packed my suitcase and I racked my brain




Bought a ticket on the late night train
Took a taxi in the pourin' rain

Overall Meaning

In Robert Earl Keen's song I'm Comin' Home, the singer is travelling and partying with friends but he is still restless and wants to go back home to his loved one. The lyrics are anchored around three stanzas that describe the singer’s journey. The first stanza shows that he is physically starting his journey home but is still mentally preoccupied with the issues that made him leave in the first place as he tries to rack his brain. In the second stanza, he tells of his visit to friends from his past who want him to stay longer but his heart tells him that he needs to get back home to his lover. In the third stanza, he drives off to a destination and finds that he is not paid but still doesn’t care because he is coming back home.


The chorus of I'm Comin' Home sings, "Made up my mind that's what I'm gonna do, Can't love nobody on the telephone, I'm comin' home to you". The singer declares he is determined to go back home to his lover because one cannot love someone purely over the phone. They need to be physically present with one another to truly love each other. Overall, the song is a classic example of a man who is tired of the hustle and bustle of the world and wants to come back to his lover as the home is where he seeks solace and peace of mind.


Line by Line Meaning

Packed my suitcase and I racked my brain
I put all my necessities in a suitcase and thought carefully about returning home.


Bought a ticket on a late night train
I purchased a train ticket to come home during the late hours.


Took a taxi through the pourin' rain
I rode in a cab while it was raining heavily outside.


Flew from Boston out to San Jose
I traveled from Boston to San Jose by plane.


Saw our old friends in Monterrey Bay
I met our old friends in Monterrey Bay.


When they asked me if I'd like to stay
When they asked if I'd like to continue staying in Monterrey Bay.


I said I'm comin' home to you
I replied that I'm heading home to be with you.


They threw a party there from dusk 'till dawn
They organized a party that lasted from sunset to sunrise.


Seems like everybody knows old sleepy John
It appeared as if every attendee knew the person nicknamed Sleepy John.


He said next time I better bring you along
Sleepy John conveyed that the next time I attend such an event, I should bring you.


I'm comin' home to you
I'm returning home to be with you.


They had fresh caught salmon on the bareques
They served freshly caught salmon prepared on the BBQ grills.


There were people jammin' all night to the blues
Many individuals were dancing to the blues throughout the night.


Life is good out in Santa Cruz but
Life is enjoyable in Santa Cruz, but...


I'm comin' home to you
I'm coming back home to be with you.


I drove forever out to God knows where
I drove for a long time to an undefined location.


Come ten-thirty there was no one there
When it was 10:30 PM, there wasn't anyone present.


They couldn't pay me but I didn't care
Even though they couldn't compensate me, I wasn't bothered.


I'm comin' home to you
I'm returning home to be with you.


I'm feelin' better since I got your card
My mood improved after receiving your card.


I read it over and over when the road gets hard
I continually read your message during difficult times on the road.


Ain't nothin' better than your own backyard
Nothing is superior to one's own home.


I'm comin' home to you
I'm heading back home to be with you.


I'm comin' home
I am returning home to be with you.


Made up my mind that's what I'm gonna do
I decided that returning home is what I will do.


Can't love nobody on the telephone
It's difficult to love someone only through phone conversations.


I'm comin' home to you
I'm returning home to be with you.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Robert Earl Keen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Nick Ovel

I had no idea who Robert Keen was until hearing Eddie Penny tell his extortion 17 story and what it was like experiencing it. I have boundless amounts of respect for the way he flew out to Jason Workman's memorial and sang I'm Coming Home. He didn't know him, hadn't heard of him, and the way Penney tells it is someone got in contact and said Jason was a big fan and he was aboard the helo that went down. Robert flew out and sang for nothing but paying respect to a fallen warrior who was a fan. Paid his own way out and back. That's so awesome! Bonus... His music is really good! The kind of music you feel and not just hear.
Thanks man!

PlayPat22

that same video brought me here. it is a very nice song

natebylsma

I've definitely hear of Robert Earl Keen, but Eddie Penney's interview on the Shawn Ryan show brought me to this video. That's America!!

Southwest Speed LLC

Came directly here after watching that too.....

Casey Harsh

An outstanding singer and songwriter.

Chad_F

Only recently discovered REK...on my constant playlist now and making up for lost time!. Awesome music, great songs with real meaning. Keep up the great work mate.

Scot Deutschlander

We’re living near Stephenville Texas now, this song invokes great memories of growing up in San Jose area and time spent in the Santa Cruz mountains and beach. 🇺🇸💪🏼🙏🏻

Bradley Bobish

Was a manager at the W Austin. Always loved stopping into ACL. Much respect for you sir.

WAYLON MAY

Awesome music he's the real deal

Noel

I am my brother’s keeper. Blessed are the peace keepers. We will see each other again...100% certain!

More Comments

More Versions