Home

David Byrne's song 'Home' delves into the multifaceted nature of what 'home' means, blending nostalgia, reality, and existential musings. The opening lines set a reflective tone, with the dimming light making an old photograph clearer, symbolizing how memories become more vivid over time. Byrne's lyrics suggest a longing for a simpler time when the world was just beginning, and he memorizes a face to keep the past alive. This sets the stage for a journey through the emotional and physical landscapes that define 'home.'

The chorus reveals a complex relationship with the concept of home. Byrne sings about returning to a place where the wheels are always turning, indicating a sense of constant change and turmoil. The lyrics touch on various aspects of home life, from neighbors fighting to parents' truths, and even the invasive presence of cameras. This paints a picture of home as a place filled with contradictions—comfort and conflict, truth and deception, intimacy and surveillance. The repeated questioning of whether his parents were telling the truth adds a layer of doubt and introspection, making the listener ponder the reliability of their own memories and experiences.

In the latter part of the song, Byrne introduces more abstract imagery, such as a tiny box from a beach at sunset and vehicles stuck on the plains of heaven. These metaphors evoke a sense of being trapped between the past and the present, between earthly concerns and higher aspirations. The line 'the eye is the measure of the man' suggests that perception shapes our reality, and the idea of 'home' is no exception. Byrne concludes with a sense of connection to every living soul and compassion for the unknown, implying that home is not just a physical place but a state of being that encompasses all human experiences and emotions.