Welcome Home

Album: Wonder (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This track is from Wonder, the 22nd album released by American Contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith. The song delves into both the deep grief of losing his wife Debbie's grandmother and the unrestrained joy of knowing she's now arrived where she truly belongs.
  • Smith said regarding this song: "It'll be sung at funerals, I think. It's a sad one. I dedicated it to my wife's grandmother. She's about 96 years old. We all thought she would make it to 100. She's the most amazing woman I've ever met in my life, but really the original inspiration came from two or three girls that I got really, really close to who were with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They all were either 13 or 14 or 15. Their dream was to meet Michael W. Smith, and I got really close to them. We stayed in touch via e-mails—some of them are still alive, some of them we lost. It was tough. I remember talking to one girl on the cell, she could hardly talk. I got off the phone, and I just lost it. I cried all the way home. And she died the next day. Just ripped my heart out. For some reason when I wrote the melody, it just felt it should be called 'Welcome Home.' It just makes me flash back to those kids. Great for them, not good for us. It's always the case, and everybody deals with it. It's a part of life—you lose a friend, you lose a loved one—but there's a lot of hope in that song." (Source Jesusfreakhideout.com)

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.