Detroit City
Bobby Bare · 16 Biggest Hits [RCA Nashville/Legacy] [2007]
I wanna go home, I wanna go home
Oh, how I wanna go home.
Last night I went to sleep in Detroit City
And I dreamed about those cottonfields and home
I dreamed about my mother dear, old papa, sister and brother
I dreamed about that girl who's been waiting for so long
I wanna go home, I wanna go home, oh, how I wanna go home.
--- Instrumental ---
Homefolks think I'm big in Detroit City
From the letters that I write they think I'm fine
But by day I make the cars, by night I make the bars
If only they could read between the lines.
'Cause you know I rode the freight train north to Detroit City
And after all these years I find I've just been wastin' my time
So I just think I'll take my foolish pride
And put it on a Southbound freight and ride.
And go on back to the loved ones, the ones that I left waitin' so far behind.
I wanna go home, I wanna go home,
Oh, how I wanna go home...
Detroit City
Bobby Bare's recording of Detroit City stands as a definitive example of his ability to blend traditional country storytelling with a distinct, rhythmic drive. Released during a period where Bare was establishing his signature sound, the track captures the gritty atmosphere of the industrial Midwest through a narrative lens. The song details the hardships faced by a young man traveling to the Motor City, finding work, and ultimately confronting the harsh realities of urban life. Bare's delivery is characteristically crisp and conversational, allowing the story to unfold with clarity and emotional weight. This recording remains a staple in his discography, showcasing his skill in adapting folk-inspired narratives into the country format. It highlights a moment in his career where he successfully bridged the gap between honky-tonk traditions and the emerging storytelling styles that would define much of his later work.