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Review By Amy Blizzard
Though it is only the beginning of spring, 2011 has already proven to be a remarkable year for Eric Church both personally and professionally. After being voted as the ACM Top New Soloist by fans through an online vote, he and his wife announced their family would be expanding with the coming birth of their first child in autumn.
In addition to those special milestones, Church is preparing to release a new album later this year. A sample of what is to come is now available to his eager fans in the leadoff single ‘Homeboy’.
The lyrics tell the story of a prodigal son of sorts who has abandoned his country ties for a grander life in the city. He was determined not to belong within the rural small town stereotypes of country boys, cowboys or rednecks. Instead, he painted a different facade with elaborate tattoos and fake gold teeth.
Church reaches out to the hometown boy turned nomad and implores him to come back home where he
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is still welcome. He reminds him that though life in the small town may not be glamorous or fast-paced it is honorable. He even predicts one day the lost soul will wish he was back.
‘Homeboy’ takes a traditional story that many songs, movies and books have told before and eliminates the sappy contents that typically follow in tandem. There is an inherent grit and swagger in ‘Homeboy’ that is palpable without being over-the-top.
Eric Church’s natural Southern twang adds another layer of palatability to the track and makes him a fine and believable narrator. The arrangement incorporates separate styles, relying at first upon a rustic, casual touch before going at full-throttle with rocking guitar.
During a first listen, ‘Homeboy’ may be a bit baffling to the mind and ear due to the electric presentation that includes: electric guitars, mandolins, banjos and slide guitars. However, the song uniquely manages to still draw a listener in via a subdued, catchy quality that makes you want to hear it again and again.
Eric Church Video “Homeboy” Live and Acoustic
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More on the song “Homeboy”
Country Universe gives the new Church single a C grade | Roughstock gives “Homeboy” 4 stars
Eric Church “Homeboy” Lyrics
you were too bad for a little square town,
with your hip-hop hat and your pants on the ground,
heard you cussed out mama, pushed daddy around
before you tore off in his car…
here you are running in these dirty old streets
tattoo on your neck, fake gold on your teeth
got the ‘hood here snowed, but you can’t fool me
we both know who you are
homeboy, you’re gonna wish one day,
that you were sitting’ on a gate of a truck by the lake
with your high school flame on one side, cold beer on the other
ain’t no shame in a blue collar forty, little house, little kid, little small story
if you don’t ever do anything else for me, just do this for me brother,
just come on home, boy.
i was hauling’ this hay to Uncle Joe’s farm,
thought of us barefoot kids in the yard,
man, it seems we were just catching’ snakes in the barn
now you’re caught up in this mess
i could use a little help unloading these bales
i could keep you pretty busy with a hammer and nails
ain’t a glamorous life but it will keep you outta jail,
not worry us all to death
homeboy, you’re gonna wish one day,
that you were slitting’ on a gate of a truck by the lake
with your high school flame on one side, ice cold beer on the other
ain’t no shame in a blue collar forty, little house, little kid, little small story
if you don’t ever do anything else for me, just do this for me brother,
come on home, boy.
come on home, boy….
you can’t hold back the hands of time,
mama’s going’ Grey, so is daddy’s mind
wish you’d come on back and make it all right
before they’re called home, boy…
homeboy….
come on home, boy
homeboy,
come on home, boy.
