When childhood isn’t the safe, happy place it should be, it can leave deep wounds and a sense of disillusionment. For a long time, I carried that hurt with me and leaving my hometown felt like a relief – like escape. I blamed the town for what I went through, which made it hard to come back. Returning was painful; visits were brief and only when absolutely necessary. 
 

But healing takes time. Slowly my perspective shifted. Now, when I drive back into town, it’s no longer with dread but with a quiet sense of pride, peace and even happiness.

Credits

Warde Elliott - vocals, acoustic guitar
Pete Batt - piano, backing vocals
Paul Cartwright - bass, backing vocals
Fabio Pertile - guitars, backing vocals
Tony Floyd - drums
Ian Kitney - percussion
Shane Reilly - pedal steel guitar

Lyrics
Remember those old records we used to always play
Reminds me of those summers when the heat just wouldn’t go away
Laying in my room, listening to Springsteen tunes
They were tugging at my heart and filling it up with dreams

Oh, it’s always been a rough ride home
On a wave of memories and I’m going it alone.
It’s gonna be a long long time before I see any good in this old town

I found an old photo back from when we were young
It looked like we’d spent the whole summer playing in the sun
Our eyes and smiles were so wide we’d laugh and play for hours on end
Oh what I give, to have those hours again
Oh, it’s always been a rough ride home…

And oh the time
It slipped through these aging hands of yours and mine

Oh, it’s always been a rough ride home
On a wave of memories and I’m going it alone
It’s been such a long long time, but I finally see the good in this old town