Take Yourself Home

Album: In A Dream (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Troye Sivan confronts his depression by giving himself a pep talk.

    Talk to me
    There's nothing that can't be fixed with some honesty


    Craving some clarity amid his gloom, he wonders:

    And how it got this dark is just beyond to me
    If anyone can hear me, switch the lights, oh


    Sivan continues to grapple with his place in the world on the chorus.

    Sad in the summer, city needs a mother
    If I'm gonna waste my time then it's time to go
    Take yourself home
  • Released on April 1, 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, the lyrics take on a new meaning. Said Sivan: "I write these songs as a diary entry, then as life and places change and relationships change, songs can take on a new meaning entirely. Clearly that has happened for this song with what is going on in the world now."
  • Troye Sivan wrote the song with:

    Swedish producer Oscar "Ozgo" Görres, who also co-wrote Sivan's collaboration with Lauv, "I'm So Tired..." OzGo has also worked with the likes of Taylor Swift ("So It Goes...") and 5 Seconds of Summer ("Wildflower").

    Mississippi-born songwriter Leland, who also co-penned Troye Sivan's hit song "Youth." Other songs on his resumé include, Daya's "Hide Away" and Selena Gomez's "Rare."

    Tayla Parx, who is one of Ariana Grande's go-to co-writers. Their collaborations include "Thank U, Next" and "7 Rings."

    OzGo also produced the track.
  • The song ends in an extended, chaotic, metallic-sounding outro. Said Sivan: 'We wrote a sad dance track with a housey outro, and it's out everywhere in the world now."
  • Troye Sivan told Genius he wrote the song in Sweden during a writing trip in late summer 2019. It was originally about a moment in his personal life where he felt lost. "It's basically a tough conversation with yourself," he explained. "Dude, what are you doing? Why are you here? I need to pack up your s--t and go home to your family because something's not working."

    Sivan sat on the song, planning to make a music video and release it late in 2020. Then the coronavirus pandemic blew up and its meaning completely changed to him, becoming a much larger worldview song. "I think everyone is now having to kind of sit with themselves and have those tough conversation," he explained. "With this much time at home, everything is up in the air. Everything is up to be questioned right now, your relationship, your job, your purpose in life, your hobbies, what makes you happy, your family, all this stuff. People are having the time to sit and like think about. So it just rang really true."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.

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.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

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.

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.