Been Away Too Long

Soundgarden's 'Been Away Too Long' delves into the profound sense of alienation and disconnection that can accompany a return to a once-familiar place. The lyrics convey a feeling of being a stranger in one's own home, emphasizing the impossibility of truly going back. The opening lines, 'You can't go home, no I swear you never can,' set the tone for the song, suggesting that time and distance have irrevocably changed both the place and the person. This theme is further explored through the imagery of walking 'a million miles and get nowhere,' highlighting the futility of trying to recapture the past.

The chorus, with its repetition of 'No one knows me / No one saves me / No one loves or hates me,' underscores a deep sense of isolation. The protagonist feels invisible and unrecognized, as if their absence has rendered them irrelevant. This sentiment is amplified by the description of the place as having 'a special kind of falling apart,' implying that it has deteriorated in their absence, much like their own sense of self. The line 'No one knows where the edge of the knife is / And no one knows where intelligent life is' adds a layer of existential dread, suggesting a world that has lost its way and its meaning.

The song also touches on the desire for escape and the ambivalence about returning. The repeated lines 'Going straight / I only ever really wanted a break' reveal a longing for respite rather than a permanent return. The protagonist's journey is marked by a sense of inevitability and resignation, as they acknowledge that they 'never really wanted to stay.' The vivid imagery of 'tank girls and fly guns and silver boots' adds a surreal, almost dystopian quality to the narrative, reinforcing the sense of dislocation and the struggle to find a place where they truly belong.