"When I Left Home" is a song by blues musician Buddy Guy. The lyrics depict a blind man standing on a corner, emphasizing that he doesn't need money but rather wants his lost love, symbolized as a little girl, to come back to him. The blind man refuses to accept financial assistance until he is reunited with his beloved. The song then goes on to express the protagonist's struggle to move on and find someone new. He believes that God created two people for every person, implying that his lost love is irreplaceable. The repeated lines, "And I can't let her go," highlight the protagonist's inability to let go and move on from his past relationship. As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that the protagonist is reminiscing about his lost love. He thinks about her constantly, even when it serves no practical purpose. The mention of being in a difficult emotional state indicates the depth of his longing and attachment to his former partner. In the latter part of the song, the lyrics reflect on the societal expectation for the protagonist to find someone new. However, he remains determined to hold onto his love, emphasizing that he cannot let her go. He also mentions receiving advice from his parents in the past, who encouraged him to be the best version of himself until he finds love again. The song ends with a plea and a yearning for his lost love, with Buddy Guy's signature guitar-playing and ad-libbing adding emotional depth to the overall narrative.
