“Take Me Home” is a track from Phil Collins‘s third solo studio album, No Jacket Required, originally released as a single in the UK in July 1985 and in the US in March 1986. Written and produced by Collins with Hugh Padgham, the song features backing vocals from Sting, former Genesis bandmate Peter Gabriel, and Helen Terry. Collins has stated that the lyrics describe a patient in a mental institution, inspired by Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, rather than a literal journey home.
The Live 1990 version appears on the live album Live at Wembley, recorded during Collins’ No Jacket Required Tour. Since its 1985 release, “Take Me Home” has been a staple of Collins’ live performances, often serving as the closing song for almost all his concerts. The track remained popular among fans and is frequently cited as one of Collins’ most enduring solo hits.
[Verse 1: Phil Collins]
Take that look of worry
I’m an ordinary man
They don’t tell me nothing
So I find out all I can
There’s a fire that’s been burning
Right outside my door
I can’t see, but I feel it
And it helps to keep me warm
[Pre-Chorus: Phil Collins]
So, I, I don’t mind
No, I, I don’t mind
[Verse 2: Phil Collins]
Seems so long I’ve been waiting
Still don’t know what for
There’s no point in escaping
I don’t worry anymore
I can’t come out to find you
I don’t like to go outside
They can turn off my feelings
Like they’re turning off the light
[Pre-Chorus: Phil Collins]
But, I, I don’t mind
No, I, I don’t mind
Oh, I, I don’t mind
No, I, I don’t mind
[Chorus: Phil Collins]
So take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, oh Lord
[Post-Chorus: Phil Collins]
‘Cause I’ve been a prisoner all my life
And I can say to you
[Verse 3: Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel & Sting]
Take that look of worry (Oh-oh)
Mine’s an ordinary life (Oh-oh)
Working when it’s daylight (Oh-oh)
And sleeping when it’s night (Oh-oh)
I’ve got no far horizons (Oh-oh)
I don’t wish upon a star (Oh-oh)
They don’t think that I listen (Oh-oh)
Oh, but I know who they are (Oh-oh)
[Pre-Chorus: Phil Collins]
And, I, I don’t mind
No, I, I don’t mind
Oh, I, I don’t mind
No, I, I don’t mind
[Chorus: Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel & Sting, Phil Collins]
So take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, oh Lord
[Post-Chorus: Phil Collins]
Well, I’ve been a prisoner all my life
And I can say to you, but I don’t remember
[Chorus: Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel & Sting, Phil Collins]
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
Take, take me home, ’cause I don’t remember
