Home

It's pretty simple. "Home" means something different to everyone. Some people are always searching for a home. Some have it, but are unhappy and isolated. And for some, it serves as just a shelter without that feeling of love, comfort, belonging, etc. And finally, Vanessa describes what "home" means to her, which is a place with this certain somebody. It's a sad, but beautiful song.

It is interesting that you bring up the 'five fathoms deep'. I think she means it both literally and metaphorically in that the person is looking for relationships and people but they are sailing over shallow waters/people (hence 5 fathoms deep.) It could also possibly mean that the person who is searching is shallow themselves.

I used to listen to Vanessa Carlton's songs a lot. This one brought the most feelings for me. Especially now when being stuck in a world where people are just trying to find a meaning and find a place for themselves, I would have to say my 'Home' is not of this busy and scattered world.

I think this song is deeper than talking about houses....

The song starts by giving an example of what some people are like. A place to live is used as a metaphor for someone to trust and confide in.

There are three main groups she addresses that don't have a good "home". "Some people live in a house on a hill..." suggests that there are people who do not have anyone to talk to because they seclude themselves up on a hill (isolate themselves from relationships) and they spend their life dreaming about what they will never have. Others ("have a ship where they sleep...") also don't have anyone, but they try really hard to find one ("sail over oceans five oceans deep/they can't find what they want the most"). Finally, "some live in towns..." describes someone who lives in a cardboard box, i.e. a homeless person. They obviously don't have anyone.

Then the song shifts to where she describes what she has; she does have a home, or a person to trust. The chorus reiterates this "With you/I am home". The final two stanzas are used to describe her relationship a little better. The "glance/and a smile on your face" lights up her day; touching hands or embracing also brings her home. Whenever she is with this person, she is home and happy.

It's very simple. Home is people, not a house. Home is love, not a building. Home is trust, not strong walls or beautiful furniture.

Rinse it away.. That was extremely simple, but you hit the meaning of it, (To me) dead on. Home isn't just a place. It's a feeling too. You can be at your house and still feel awkward. You can be with your love sleeping in a box, and you can feel more at home than you ever had in a house. that's what this song means to me

Some lyrics corrections:

"For me it's a glance" and

"I fall asleep"

I think "Home" is about the sense in all of us that no matter what happens to us, we can always, at the end of the day, go home and see those that care about us the most.

completely agree with chip19, in fact took the words right out of my mouth.

the instrumental is so beautiful, Vanessa doesn't get the recognition and credit she so rightly deserves.

beautiful :]