Detroit City

Mel Tillis

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:
1969
1,248 
#2

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I wanna go home I wanna go home oh Lord 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
And I dreamed about the girl that's been waiting for so long
I wanna go home I wanna go home oh Lord I wanna go home

Now the homefolks think I'm big in Detroit City
From the letters that I write they think I'm just fine
By day I make the cars and by night I'm a makin' the bars
Lord if only they could read between the lines
As you know I rode a long black freight train way up north to Detroit City
But after all these years I find that well I've just been wastin' my time
But you know what I think I'm gonna do folks I'm gonna take my foolish pride
And put it on a Southbound freight and ride
I wanna go home I wanna go home oh Lord I wanna go home

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Mel Tillis

Lonnie Melvin "Mel" Tillis (born August 8, 1932) is an American country music singer. Although he recorded songs since the late 1950s, his biggest success occurred in the 1970s, with a long list of Top 10 hits. more »

3 fans

Written by: DON BLACK, JOHN BARRY

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 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. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6180227/Mel+Tillis/Detroit+City>.

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