[Verse 1] I left with a suitcase and a name I could sell Crossed state lines for my dream and I told myself Nashville was waiting with a gold-laced door But the more they cheered my name the more I missed your floor [Pre-Chorus] Now the buses keep rolling and I barely sleep Every town looks the same when the crowd gets too deep I hear your old truck in my memory lane And I feel that Kentucky rain [Chorus] I gotta go back home (back home) I gotta go back home (back home) My heart stayed on that hill where your porch light shone I gotta go back home (back home) [Verse 2] They put my face on posters in some far-off town I smile for the cameras but I’m wearing thin now Every handshake feels heavy every song costs more And I keep seeing your shadow by the screen door [Pre-Chorus] You said, "If you love me you won’t lose your way" I laughed at forever and I ran anyway Now the road’s a hard teacher and it’s teaching me What I should have known at seventeen [Chorus] I gotta go back home (back home) I gotta go back home (back home) My heart stayed on that hill where your porch light shone I gotta go back home (back home) [Bridge] I thought fame was freedom I thought miles were gold But the loudest rooms are empty when you’re sleeping cold So save me a front-step save me a hand to hold I’m coming back before I lose my soul [Final Chorus] I gotta go back home (back home) I gotta go back home (back home) Let the big towns fade let the bright lights be gone I gotta go back home (back home) I gotta go back home (back home)
