"Home Is Where The Hatred Is" is a song by Gil Scott-Heron, released in 1971. It explores the theme of addiction and the struggles faced by a junkie. The lyrics depict the narrator's desperate and self-destructive lifestyle, as well as the contrasting feeling of loneliness and pain they experience at home. The song opens with the junkie wandering through the twilight, on their way home after being gone for three days. However, the narrator feels like nobody acknowledges their absence. The line "Home is where the hatred is" implies that the place they call home is filled with negativity and pain, likely due to the toxic environment associated with addiction. The repetition of the phrase "kick it, quit it" suggests that the narrator's acquaintances or loved ones urge them to overcome their addiction. However, the line "God, but did you ever try to turn your sick soul inside out, so that the world can watch you die" reflects the narrator's resistance towards the idea of recovery. They may believe that it would be better if they were never to return home again, as it only exacerbates their suffering. The song continues by delving into the surreal and tragic nature of life within the narrator's mind, where their drug-induced dreams have taken over their sense of reality. They refer to home as an empty vacuum filled with silent screams, symbolizing the inner turmoil caused by addiction. The mention of needle marks alludes to the physical scars left by drug injections, which attempt to mend the narrator's broken heart. However, the implication is that these attempts are futile, and the possibility of finding solace or healing at home is dim. Ultimately, "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" paints a harrowing picture of addiction and the destructive cycle it perpetuates. It conveys the overwhelming despair experienced by the narrator, who recognizes that returning home may not bring any peace or resolution to their troubled existence.
