Lyric discussion by brokentelephone78 

Cover art for Johnny Come Home lyrics by Fine Young Cannibals

I also think this song is about a runaway. Whatever has gone down at "home" is unhealthy and the kid needed to leave home to be themselves and be safe. But the kid is too young to be on his/her own. The parents want the kid home so they can control him/her. They deal with the pain by drinking, OR the kid does.