Home Sweet Home

Album: Peter Gabriel (second, scratch) (1978)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lyrics are a bleak story about a man whose wife jumps out a window with their child. He then uses the insurance money to go to a casino, wins big, and buys a nicer house than their first home.
  • On this track, Gabriel wanted to explore the motives of suicide: "What frightens you is that you can't understand what drives people to do it."
  • Roy Bittan, who was part of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, played keyboards on this track, which was part of Gabriel's second solo album. The other players are:

    Organ – Peter Gabriel
    Electric Guitar, Steel Guitar – Sidney McGinnis
    Bass – Tony Levin
    Drums – Jerry Marotta
    Saxophone – Timmy Capello

    Robert Fripp, known for his work with King Crimson, produced the album.

Comments: 2

  • Samantha from OklahomaI understand what drives people to do it. It's partly bad brain chemistry and the rest is a deep, abiding emptiness that can't be filled by anyone or anything. When someone dies by their own hand, unfortunately, they're not thinking about the people they love, or the ones who love them. They're mind is consumed by the need for the pain to stop. It never stops. Ever. A Darkness descends that blocks out everything else and your mind goes blank. Death becomes your only escape, or at least, AT THE TIME, that's how it feels. Luckily, I suck at it, which is the only reason I'm still here, so I try to make the best of things and am waiting for the day when it will all make sense - assuming it ever does.

    Warbi, I'm sorry about your wife. Blessings to you and your daughter.
  • Warbi from Grandview, WaAt least my wife didn't kill our daughter...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?