The meaning of Eric Burdon & War's song "Home Dream" revolves around longing for a place of comfort and belonging. The lyrics depict the singer's yearning for a distant place, likely their hometown, that holds significant emotional value. The song expresses a sense of displacement and a desire to return to their roots. The opening lines convey a feeling of being trapped or held captive by something that is described as "pretty bad." This could symbolize an overwhelming feeling of homesickness or the weight of longing for the place they consider home. As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal the inability to find peace or sleep due to incessant thoughts about the place "way across the sea." This place, where the singer was raised and born, holds great significance to them. The singer dreams about this distant city, visualizing its timeless castles and holding hands with their loved one. The emotion becomes overwhelming, and the singer feels the urge to cry. The longing for home and its familiarity is deeply felt. In the latter part of the song, the singer acknowledges their current circumstances, perhaps feeling lost and disconnected. They mention laying down in a gutter to escape their spinning thoughts and the need for someone to comfort them. Overall, "Home Dream" highlights the yearning for home, the emotional attachment to a place, and the desire for that comforting feeling associated with belonging. It reflects the pain and isolation caused by being away from a place one holds dear and the longing to return.
