Who's That Man
Homecoming Echoes: Rediscovering Life's Landscape in 'Who's That Man'
Lyrics
Turn left at the old hotel
Instructions for directions to an old hotel.
I know this boulevard much too well
The speaker is familiar with the boulevard.
It hasn't changed since I've been gone
No significant changes in the area during the speaker's absence.
Oh, this used to be my way home
The speaker used to consider this route home.
They paved the road through the neighborhood
The neighborhood road has been paved; county improvements.
I guess the county finally fixed good
Positive change; road repairs were necessary.
It was gettin' rough
The area was deteriorating.
Someone finally complained enough
Complaints prompted the improvements.
Fight the tears back with a smile
The speaker hides sadness with a smile.
Stop and look for a little while
Pause to reminisce or reflect.
Oh it's plain to see
Obvious to the speaker that something is missing.
The only thing missing is me
The absent element is the speaker.
That's my house and that's my car
Pointing out possessions that were once the speaker's.
That's my dog in my backyard
Listing familiar elements of the speaker's life.
There's the window to the room
Reference to a room where someone used to sleep.
Where she lays her pretty head
Imagery of where the absent person laid their head.
I planted that tree out by the fence
Symbolic planting of a tree marking a shared history.
Not long after we moved in
The tree was planted shortly after moving in.
That's my kids and that's my wife
Pointing out family members who are part of the past.
Who's that man, runnin' my life
Questioning the identity of the person now in control.
If I pulled in would it cause a scene
Contemplating entering the scene; unsure of the reaction.
They're not really expectin' me
The speaker is unexpected; others are not anticipating them.
Those kids have been through hell
Acknowledging challenges faced by family members.
I hear they adjusted well
Reports that the children have adapted despite difficulties.
Turn around in the neighbors drive
Considering turning into a familiar driveway.
I'd be hard to recognize
The speaker's changed appearance makes recognition difficult.
In this pick-up truck
Referring to the speaker's modest vehicle.
It's just an old fixer up
The truck needs repairs but holds sentimental value.
Drive away one more time
Leaving the scene again; internal struggle.
Lot of things going through my mind
Conflicted thoughts while driving away.
I guess the less things change
Change is minimal; things remain familiar.
The more they never seem the same
Paradoxical feeling of everything being the same.
That's my house and that's my car
Repeating ownership of possessions for emphasis.
That's my dog in my back yard
Reiterating familiar elements of the speaker's life.
There's the window to the room
Referencing the room where someone used to sleep.
Where she lays her pretty head
Describing where the absent person laid their head.
I planted that tree out by the fence
Symbolic tree planting representing shared history.
Not long after we moved in
The tree was planted soon after moving in.
That's my kids and that's my wife
Pointing out family members who are part of the past.
Who's that man, runnin' my life
Questioning the identity of the person now in control.
Comment