Quite Miss Home

Album: You (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This regal, strings-accompanied track was inspired by James Arthur's life as a touring musician, which keeps him away from home for long stretches of time.

    When the rain falls down on the window
    While you're in my arms and we're watching the TV
    Yeah, I quite miss home


    Arthur is longing to be at home with his lover.
  • The singer also notes some of the things that make home meaningful to other people close to him.

    I miss you telling me to leave my shoes at the door
    'Cause you just swept the floor and the dirt drives you crazy
    Yeah, I quite miss home


    Arthur's sister's fiancé has a job that takes him away from home for much of the year. The first thing he does on his return is to take off his shoes at the door because of his partner's OCD for cleaning. That's when he knows he's back home.
  • Arthur wrote the song with:

    Brett McLaughlin, also known as Leland, whose resumé also includes Daya's "Hide Away," Troye Sivan's "Youth" and Kelsea Ballerini's "Miss Me More."

    Songwriter Michael Pollack, whose other credits include Zara Larsson's "Ruin My Life," Kelly Clarkson's "I Don't Think About You" and Maroon 5's "Memories."

    The frontman of American electronic rock band Parade of Lights, Ryan Daly.

    The late San Francisco songwriter Michael Busbee, who has worked with a broad range of artists, including Pink ("Try"), 5 Seconds of Summer ("Don't Stop") and Florida Georgia Line ("H.O.L.Y. "). Busbee died of Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, on September 29, 2019 aged 43.

    Busbee and Ryan Daly produced the track.

Comments: 1

  • Trish from New Jersey While I know this song was aimed for homesick, breakup. I interpret the song a little differently-I lost my Younger brother to suicide and this song reminds me of him, talking to my mom. “I miss you telling me to leave my shoes at the door cuz you just swept the floor and the dirt drives you crazy” my mom has an entry way/hallway before you enter the house and he was always a dirty h guy/hikes/muddy/mechanic work etc.
    my mom cooks- he lived with her. “I smell you cooking From the living room, I tell you that I love your food.... reminds me of where I’m from.” And lastly “I’m in another city, I got nobody with me (heaven) and it just really hit me (suicide/regret) that I quite miss home.”
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Billy Gould of Faith No More

Billy Gould of Faith No MoreSongwriter Interviews

Faith No More's bassist, Billy Gould, chats to us about his two new experimental projects, The Talking Book and House of Hayduk, and also shares some stories from the FNM days.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.