(I Want to) Come Home

Album: Everybody's Fine Soundtrack (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • McCartney wrote this emotional ballad for the 2009 Robert De Niro movie, Everybody's Fine. In the film De Niro plays a widower learning about his grown children. The former Beatle decided to contribute after seeing an advance screening of the movie. Director Kirk Jones told The Associated Press: "I love the fact that it was written and sung by a man who has lived a life and experienced a number of things that were related to the movie. I think it was sung with heart and passion and with honesty as well."
  • McCartney, who lost his wife Linda in 1998, acknowledged that he shed some tears when he saw a screening, as he identified with De Niro's character. "The fact that he's lost his wife and has grown-up children with situations of their own and is trying to get them all around the table - I could relate to that quite easily," he told The Associated Press. He added that he wrote the song from the perspective of De Niro's character. But after writing it, he realized it could also be heard from the adult children's view and maybe he was considering that subconsciously. "That's the best stuff," he said. "The magic of songs and the magic of composing is you don't always know what you're doing, and that's what hooks me into it, and why I could never stop composing."

Comments: 1

  • Debra from Mostly In Cincinnati OhioGoing home.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"They're Playing My Song

Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. What changed when Cyndi Lauper had a hit with his song? Not much, really.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.