There are songs that entertain, songs that make you tap your feet, and then there are songs that wrap around you like a warm embrace. John Denver’s “Back Home Again” belongs in that last category—comforting, familiar, and deeply personal, like the feeling of stepping through the front door after a long journey.
From the moment Denver’s gentle voice begins, you can almost smell the wood smoke in the air and hear the creak of the old floorboards. The song, released in 1974, became an anthem for anyone who has ever longed to return to the place where their heart feels most at peace. Whether it’s a childhood home, a small-town escape, or simply the presence of a loved one, “Back Home Again” taps into that universal yearning for belonging.
Lyrically, it’s a masterpiece of nostalgia. Denver paints vivid pictures with his words—there’s a storm rolling in, a dog lying by the fire, and a weary traveler finally finding rest. The chorus is especially heartfelt, with its simple yet powerful declaration:
“Hey, it’s good to be back home again.”
That line alone resonates in a way that only truly great songs can. It’s not just about a physical place; it’s about the warmth of being where you’re meant to be, surrounded by love.
“Back Home Again” was more than just a hit—it became a signature song for Denver, earning him widespread recognition and a CMA Award for Song of the Year in 1975. But its impact goes far beyond awards. It’s a song that families have sung together for generations, a tune that makes people misty-eyed at reunions, and a reminder that, no matter where life takes you, there’s always a place to call home.
So the next time you hear that opening strum of the guitar, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and let it take you back—to the people, the memories, and the places that have shaped your heart
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Lyrics
There’s a storm across valley
Clouds are rolling in
The afternoon is heavy on your shoulders
There’s a truck out on the forelane
A mile or so away
And the whining of his wheels just makes it colder
He’s an hour away from riding
On your prayer up in the sky
Ten days on the road, barely gone
There’s a fire softly burning
Supper’s on the stove
But it’s the light in your eyes
That makes him warm
Hey, it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old far feels like a long lost friend
Yes, hey it’s good to be back home again
Well there’s all the news to tell him
How’d you spend your time?
And what’s the latest thing the neighbours say?
And your mother called last Friday
Sunshine made her cry
And you felt the baby move just yesterday
Hey, it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old far feels like a long lost friend
Yes, hey it’s good to be back home again
Oh the time that I can lay this tired old body down
And feel your fingers, feather soft upon me
The kisses that I live for, the love that lights my way
The happiness that living with you brings me
It’s the sweetest thing I know of
Just spending time with you
It’s the little thing that makes a house a home
Like a fire softly burning
And supper on the stove
And the light in your eyes that makes me warm
Hey, it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old far feels like a long lost friend
Yes, hey it’s good to be back home again
Yes, hey it’s good to be back home again