Take Yourself Home

Album: In A Dream (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Troye Sivan confronts his depression by giving himself a pep talk.

    Talk to me
    There's nothing that can't be fixed with some honesty


    Craving some clarity amid his gloom, he wonders:

    And how it got this dark is just beyond to me
    If anyone can hear me, switch the lights, oh


    Sivan continues to grapple with his place in the world on the chorus.

    Sad in the summer, city needs a mother
    If I'm gonna waste my time then it's time to go
    Take yourself home
  • Released on April 1, 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, the lyrics take on a new meaning. Said Sivan: "I write these songs as a diary entry, then as life and places change and relationships change, songs can take on a new meaning entirely. Clearly that has happened for this song with what is going on in the world now."
  • Troye Sivan wrote the song with:

    Swedish producer Oscar "Ozgo" Görres, who also co-wrote Sivan's collaboration with Lauv, "I'm So Tired..." OzGo has also worked with the likes of Taylor Swift ("So It Goes...") and 5 Seconds of Summer ("Wildflower").

    Mississippi-born songwriter Leland, who also co-penned Troye Sivan's hit song "Youth." Other songs on his resumé include, Daya's "Hide Away" and Selena Gomez's "Rare."

    Tayla Parx, who is one of Ariana Grande's go-to co-writers. Their collaborations include "Thank U, Next" and "7 Rings."

    OzGo also produced the track.
  • The song ends in an extended, chaotic, metallic-sounding outro. Said Sivan: 'We wrote a sad dance track with a housey outro, and it's out everywhere in the world now."
  • Troye Sivan told Genius he wrote the song in Sweden during a writing trip in late summer 2019. It was originally about a moment in his personal life where he felt lost. "It's basically a tough conversation with yourself," he explained. "Dude, what are you doing? Why are you here? I need to pack up your s--t and go home to your family because something's not working."

    Sivan sat on the song, planning to make a music video and release it late in 2020. Then the coronavirus pandemic blew up and its meaning completely changed to him, becoming a much larger worldview song. "I think everyone is now having to kind of sit with themselves and have those tough conversation," he explained. "With this much time at home, everything is up in the air. Everything is up to be questioned right now, your relationship, your job, your purpose in life, your hobbies, what makes you happy, your family, all this stuff. People are having the time to sit and like think about. So it just rang really true."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.