Detroit City

Bobby Bare, Ben Colder

About Detroit City

"Detroit City" is a song written by Danny Dill and Mel Tillis, made famous by Billy Grammer (as "I Wanna Go Home"), country music singer Bobby Bare and Tom Jones. Bare's version was released in 1963. The song — sometimes known as "I Wanna Go Home" (from the opening line to the refrain) — was Bare's first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart that summer, and became a country music standard.


Year:
2002
2:47
151 
#5

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Last night I went to sleep in Detroit City
I dreamed about them cotton fields of home
I dreamed about my mother, dear old pappy, sister and brother
And I dreamed about the girl who's been waitin' for so long

I want to go home
I want to go home
Oh, how I want to go home

Home folks think I'm big in Detroit City
From the letters that I write they think I'm just fine, yes they do
But by day I make the cars and by night I make the bars
If only they could read between the lines

‘cause you know I rode a freight train north to Detroit City
And after all these years I find I've just been wastin' my time
You know what I'm gonna do? 
I'm gonna take my foolish pride
Get it on a southbound freight and let it ride
I'm gonna go back to the loved ones
The ones I left waiting so far behind

I want to go home, yeah
I want to go home
Oh, how I want to go home  (Can't you hear me?)

I want to go home
Whoa, baby I want to go home
Oh, how I want to go home  (Somebody help me)

I want to go home, yeah
I want to go home, whoa oh
Oh, how I want to go home

Hmm, I want to go home...

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Bobby Bare

Robert Joseph "Bobby" Bare (born April 7, 1935, Ironton, Ohio) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is the father of Bobby Bare, Jr., also a musician. more »

6 fans

Written by: DANNY DILL, MEL TILLIS

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Songwriters" Fact
"Detroit City" was written by Danny Dill and Mel Tillis. They created this country music gem that has been covered by many artists throughout the years.
Artist" Fact
Although Mel Tillis was one of the songwriters, the song was first recorded by American country music artist, Bobby Bare. It was published in 1962 by RCA Victor.
Chart Performance" Fact
"Detroit City", sung by Bobby Bare, was immensely popular and reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1963.
Award" Fact
The Bobby Bare version of "Detroit City" even won a Grammy Award in the category Best Country & Western Recording, 1962.
Cover Versions" Fact
Mel Tillis, one of the original songwriters, also recorded his own interpretation of "Detroit City." However, it did not achieve the same level of popularity as Bare's version.
Genre Shift" Fact
Welsh singer Tom Jones also covered "Detroit City," but unlike the original, his rendition was more in sync with pop than country music.
Album" Fact
Bobby Bare's version of "Detroit City" was included in his album named ‘Detroit City and Other Hits,' which made it more popular among his fans.
Fame" Fact
The popularity and acclaim of "Detroit City" brought Bobby Bare into the limelight and solidified his place in the country music industry.
Title Variation" Fact
The song is also known by the alternate title "I Wanna Go Home," which is frequently mentioned in the song's lyrics.
Theme" Fact
"Detroit City" captures the emotions of homesickness and loss, as it tells the story of a man who left his rural home for a job in industrial Detroit, only to feel a deep longing for his homeland. The song resonates with those who have experienced such emotions when migrating in pursuit of better opportunities.

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    "Detroit City Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/5592653/Bobby+Bare/Detroit+City>.

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    Detroit City

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1963

    Billboard #16


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