"Home" is a song from American musician Sheryl Crow's 1996 self-titled album. Written and produced by Crow, the folk ballad was released as the final single from the album on October 6, 1997, and was later included on her greatest hits albumThe Very Best of Sheryl Crow (2003). "Home" was released commercially only in Europe. It became Crow's ninth top-40 hit in both Canada and the United Kingdom, peaking at numbers 40 and 25, respectively. A black-and-white music video directed by Samuel Bayer was made for the song.
Composition
"Home" is described as a folk ballad by Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine, and its lyrics describe the stresses of a failing marriage.[1] According to the digital sheet music published at Musicnotes, "Home" is written in the key of G major and plays in common time at a slow tempo of 80 beats per minute.[2]
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "After several rock-fueled singles, Crow drops the volume and tempo to a soft-rock tone for this harshly intimate tune. Her hushed, evocative vocal proves that ya don't have to shriek to stir a listener's emotions. In fact, her whispered line "my house is full of lies" is about as intense or powerful as anything you're likely to hear right now. She is supported by an accessible shuffle beat and guitar lines that mingle warm, acoustic threads with sharp, bluesy electric licks. Any station that played the hit "Strong Enough" has no excuse but to give this superior recording a fair shot."[3]
Release and chart performance
Although "Home" was serviced to American radio stations on September 30, 1997,[4] it failed to appear on any Billboard charts;[5] however, it did chart in Canada. On November 3, 1997, the song debuted at number 63 on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart.[6] Afterwards, it rose and fell inside the top 60 until climbing to its peak of number 40 on January 12, 1998.[7] It then dropped to number 87 the following issue, its final week on the ranking.[8] It was also aired on Canadian adult contemporary stations, eventually reaching a peak of number 43 on the RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks listing.[9] On October 6, 1997, "Home" was released in the United Kingdom, debuting at its peak of number 25 on the UK Singles Chart six days later and spending two weeks in the top 100.[10][11]
Music video
The black-and-white music video for the song was directed by Samuel Bayer, and features Crow performing on a village car racing festival. Several villagers are portrayed, sharing their definitions of what 'home' is for them with the viewer. At the end of the video, Crow ends up covered in mud thrown around by the racing cars.
^Home (UK CD2 single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1997. 582 401-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Home (UK CD-ROM single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1997. 044 031-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Home (European CD single disc notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1997. 582 452-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Sheryl Crow (US CD album booklet). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31454 0587 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
