Arlo McKinley on Wednesday shared “Back Home”, the third single from his upcoming album, This Mess We’re In. The sophomore LP from the Cincinnati, OH singer-songwriter is out on July 15th via Oh Boy Records.
Though it’s McKinley’s lyricism that endeared him to label founder John Prine—with Arlo being the last artist the Singing Mailman signed before his death in 2020—it’s the depth of his backing band that brings this track to life. With assistance from drummer Ken Coomer (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo), pianist Rick Steff (Lucero, Cat Power), a mess of others, and vocals shared with fellow Midwestern singer-songwriter Logan Halstead, “Back Home” becomes a team effort.
The song’s plain-spoken and sparing lyrics touch on a number of themes central to This Mess We’re In. From the opening “Sweet speed of cocaine / Friends deep in the dope game” to the shameful words of regret to his mother in the refrain (“Well momma I don’t think I’m gone / Don’t think I’m ever gonna make it back home / To you”), “Back Home” takes McKinley to the depths he had to wade through to get to where he is now.
Related: Sturgill Simpson, John Prine, Tyler Childers, More To Appear On John Anderson Tribute Album [Video]
Listen to the new Arlo McKinley single “Back Home” via the player below or on your preferred streaming platform. This Mess We’re In is available here for pre-order. Last month, McKinley shared a stripped-down, acoustic version of the album single “To Die For” recorded live for GemOnVHS, available below. McKinley is currently overseas on his first international tour, but has added over a dozen new domestic tour dates, including singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Great American Ballpark in his hometown of Cincinnati on July 23rd. Scroll down for a full list of dates.
Arlo McKinley – “Back Home” (ft. Logan Halstead)
Arlo McKinley – “To Die For” (Live)
[Video: GemOnVHS]
“Back Home” Lyrics
Road less traveled I’ll ride
With this revolver by my side
Sweet speed of cocaine
Friends deep in the dope game
Well momma I don’t think I’m gone
Don’t think I’m ever gonna make it back home
To you
This city is a symphony
That never seems to be in key
I’ve tasted every sin
Spit em out and I tried again
Well momma I don’t think I’m gone
Don’t think I’m ever gonna make it back home
To you
I hold myself accountable
For everything that I have done
Constant heat beneath my feet
I guess a glimpse of what’s to come
Well momma I don’t think I’m gone
Don’t think I’m ever gonna make it back home
Well momma I don’t think I’m gone
Don’t think I’m ever gonna make it back home
Well momma I don’t think I’m gone
Don’t think I’m ever gonna make it back home
To you
View Lyrics
Arlo McKinley 2022 Tour Dates
6/9 – Kobenhavn, Denmark – CPH Americana
6/10 – Stockholm, Sweden – Sthlm Americana
6/11 – Oslo, Norway – Oslo Americana
6/14 – Hamburg, Germany – Nochtwache
6/15 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso Noord
6/16 – London, England – St Pancras Old Church
6/18 – London, England – Old Blue Last
6/19 – Manchester, England – Gullivers
6/21 – Glasgow, Scotland – Oran Mor
6/22 – Dublin, Ireland – The Workman’s Club
7/9 – Parkersburg, WV – Renegade Rebellion Country Music Festival
7/14 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
7/15 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi
7/16 – Huntington, WV – Ritter Park Amphitheater
7/23 – Cincinnati, OH – National Anthem @ Great American Ballpark
7/28 – Springfield, IL – Levitt AMP Springfield
7/29 – St Louis, MO – Old Rock House
7/30 – Berwyn, IL – Fitzgerald’s Club
7/31 – Peoria, IL – High Harbor Cannabis Lounge
8/17 – Lakewood, OH – The Winchester
8/18 – Fort Wayne, IN – The Ruin
8/19 – Wellston, MI – Hoxeyville Festival
8/25 – Murfreesboro, TN – Hop Springs
8/26 – Little Rock, AR – Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack
8/27 – Fayetteville, AR – Fayetteville Roots Festival Late Night @ George’s Majestic Lounge
8/28 – Springfield, MO – Southbound Bar & Grill
9/9 – Bristol, TN – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
10/7 – Memphis, TN – Overton Park Shell
Newly Announced Dates in Bold
View Tour Dates
The post Arlo McKinley Won’t Make It “Back Home” On Latest Single [Listen] appeared first on L4LM.
Source: L4LM.com
