“Coming Home” is a popular song by the rapper and producer Diddy and his group Dirty Money. It’s from their first album called Last Train to Paris, which came out in 2010. The song came out on November 16, 2010, as the fourth single from the album. It was written by J. Cole, Jay-Z, Alex da Kid, and Skylar Grey, with Kid and Jay-Z also handling the production.
In the song, Diddy looks back on different parts of his life, especially remembering his close friend and fellow artist The Notorious B.I.G., who passed away.
We’ll take a closer look at the lyrics to understand what they mean.
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“Coming Home” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro: Diddy]
I’m back where I belong (Uh, yeah)
I never felt so strong, ayy (Yeah, I’m back, baby)
I’m feelin’ like there’s nothin’ that I can’t try (Uh, nothin’)
And if you with me put your hands high (Yeah, put your hands high)
High, ayy (If you ever lost a life before, this one’s for you)
And if you with me put your hands high (And you, the dreams are for you rockin’ with the best)
High, ayy (And you, and you)
I’ll be home soon
Diddy starts the song by expressing that he’s returned to where he feels he truly belongs. This could refer to a physical place, a state of mind, or a sense of purpose.
He then emphasizes how strong he feels now that he’s back, suggesting that he’s overcome challenges or obstacles. The addition of “ayy” and “yeah, I’m back, baby” adds a confident and celebratory tone.
Diddy feels like there’s nothing he can’t accomplish or attempt. This line “I’m feelin’ like there’s nothin’ that I can’t try (Uh, nothin’)” reflects a positive mindset and a willingness to take on challenges.
Diddy invites listeners to join him by raising their hands high if they’re with him. This is a common gesture of solidarity and support in live performances or moments of unity. He sings, “And if you with me put your hands high (Yeah, put your hands high).”
In the line “High, ayy (If you ever lost a life before, this one’s for you),” he acknowledges those who have experienced loss or hardship before, suggesting that this song is dedicated to them.
He also acknowledges those who dream big and strive for success, suggesting that they’re aligned with the best, as he sings, “And you, the dreams are for you rockin’ with the best.”
[Verse 1: Diddy]
I hear the “Tears of a Clown,” uh, I hate that song
I always feel like they’re talkin’ to me, when it comes on (Come on)
Another day, another dawn
Another Keisha, nice to meet ya, get the math, I’m gone
What am I ‘posed to do when the club lights come on?
It’s easy to be Puff but it’s harder to be Sean (Come on)
What if my twins ask me why I ain’t marry their mom? (Why?)
Damn, how do I respond?
What if my son stares with a face like my own
And says he wants to be like me when he’s grown?
Shit! But I ain’t finished growin’
Another night, the inevitable prolongs (Let’s go)
Another day, another dawn (Come on)
Just tell Keisha and Teresa I’ll be better in the morn’ (I’ll be better in the morn’)
Another lie that I carry on
I need to get back to the place where I belong, come on (Yeah, let’s go)
In verse 1, Diddy begins by referencing “Tears of a Clown,” and said that he dislikes the song. This could imply that it evokes painful memories or emotions for him.
He explains that whenever he hears the song, he feels like it’s speaking directly to him, as he sings, “I always feel like they’re talkin’ to me, when it comes on (Come on).”
Diddy reflects on the repetitive nature of his life, with each day bringing a new beginning (“another dawn”). He mentions meeting someone named Keisha, exchanging pleasantries, and then quickly moving on. He sings, “Another day, another dawn Another Keisha, nice to meet ya, get the math, I’m gone.”
He contemplates his identity and the contrast between his public persona (“Puff,” a nickname associated with his stage name Puff Daddy) and his private self (“Sean,” his birth name).
In the line “What if my twins ask me why I ain’t marry their mom? (Why?) Damn, how do I respond?” Diddy grapples with the prospect of explaining his relationship status to his twin children, pondering how to address the absence of marriage with their mother.
He considers the influence he has on his son and the pressure of setting an example for him. Despite his accomplishments, Diddy acknowledges that he’s still evolving and learning, as evident in the line “What if my son stares with a face like my own And says he wants to be like me when he’s grown? Shit! But I ain’t finished growin’.”
In the end, Diddy acknowledges the cyclical nature of his life (“another night, another day”) and the need to break free from it. He mentions Keisha and Teresa again, promising to improve in the morning, but admits to perpetuating lies and yearns to return to a place of belonging.
[Chorus: Skylar Grey with Dawn Richard & Kalenna Harper, Diddy]
I’m comin’ home, I’m comin’ home (I’m comin’ home)
Tell the world that I’m comin’ home (Yeah)
Let the rain wash away
All the pain of yesterday (Ain’t no more pain)
I know my kingdom awaits
And they’ve forgiven my mistakes (Thank you)
I’m comin’ home, I’m comin’ home (I’m comin’ home, I’m comin’ home)
Tell the world that I’m comin’ home (Yeah, ayo, check this out)
The chorus begins with Skylar Grey singing the main refrain, “I’m comin’ home.”
Skylar Grey urges the listener to inform others that she is coming home, suggesting a sense of anticipation or excitement about this return. She sings, “Tell the world that I’m comin’ home (Yeah).”
The line “Let the rain wash away All the pain of yesterday (Ain’t no more pain)” metaphorically refers to the idea of cleansing oneself of past pain or hardships. The rain symbolizes renewal or purification, signaling a fresh start or a release from past burdens.
In the line, “I know my kingdom awaits And they’ve forgiven my mistakes (Thank you),” Skylar Grey expresses confidence that her “kingdom” (her home, her loved ones, or her place of belonging) is waiting for her return. She also acknowledges that she has been forgiven for her past mistakes, expressing gratitude for this forgiveness.
In the end, she repeats the main refrain “I’m comin’ home, I’m comin’ home (I’m comin’ home, I’m comin’ home) Tell the world that I’m comin’ home (Yeah, ayo, check this out)” to reinforce the message of returning home and urging others to spread the word about this homecoming.
[Verse 2: Diddy, Kalenna Harper]
“A House Is Not a Home,” I hate this song
Is a house really a home when your loved ones is gone? (No)
And niggas got the nerve to blame you for it (Come on)
And you know you woulda took the bullet if you saw it (That’s right)
But you felt it, and still feel it
And money can’t make up for it or conceal it (Or conceal it)
But you deal with it (Deal with it)
And you keep ballin’ (That’s right)
Pour out some liquor, playboy, and we keep ballin’ (Keep ballin’)
Baby, we been livin’ in sin
‘Cause we been really in love, but we been livin’ as friends (Yeah)
So you’ve been a guest in your own home (Come on)
It’s time to make your house your home (Yeah)
Pick up your phone, come on (Pick up the phone)
Diddy starts the verse by referencing the song “A House Is Not a Home” and expressing his dislike for it. He questions the concept of a house being a home when the people you love are no longer present. He sings, “‘A House Is Not a Home,’ I hate this song, Is a house really a home when your loved ones is gone? (No)”
In the following line “And niggas got the nerve to blame you for it (Come on) And you know you woulda took the bullet if you saw it (That’s right),” He reflects on the unfairness of being blamed for the absence of loved ones and acknowledges that he would have willingly sacrificed himself to protect them if given the opportunity.
Diddy acknowledges the lingering pain and emptiness caused by the absence of loved ones, recognizing that money cannot compensate for or hide these feelings. Despite this, he emphasizes the importance of coping with the pain and continuing to strive for success (“keep ballin'”). He sings, “But you felt it, and still feel it And money can’t make up for it or conceal it (Or conceal it) But you deal with it (Deal with it) And you keep ballin’ (That’s right).”
In the line “Pour out some liquor, playboy, and we keep ballin’ (Keep ballin’) Baby, we been livin’ in sin ‘Cause we been really in love, but we been livin’ as friends (Yeah),” he suggests coping with the pain by pouring out liquor as a form of tribute or remembrance, while also continuing to pursue success (“keep ballin'”). Diddy then reflects on a relationship characterized by love but lived as friends, acknowledging the complexities and contradictions within it.
Diddy describes feeling like a visitor in his own home, as expressed in the lines, “So you’ve been a guest in your own home (Come on) It’s time to make your house your home (Yeah) Pick up your phone, come on (Pick up the phone).”
He urges himself to take action and reclaim his sense of home and belonging by making changes and reaching out to others.
[Verse 3: Diddy, Kalenna Harper]
“Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” I love that song
Whenever it comes on, it makes me feel strong
I thought I told y’all that we won’t stop (We won’t stop)
Till we back cruisin’ through Harlem, these old blocks (Yeah)
It’s what made me (Uh huh), saved me, drove me crazy (Oh, oh)
Drove me away (Come on), then embraced me (Yeah, yeah)
Forgave me for all of my shortcomings (Let’s go) (Oh yeah)
Welcome to my homecomin’ (Coming)
Yeah, it’s been a long time comin’
Lot of fights, lot of scars, lot of bottles
Lot of cars, lot of ups, lot of downs
Made it back, lost my dog (I miss you Big!)
But here I stand (Come on) (Here I stand)
A better man (Don’t stop) (A better man)
Thank you, Lord! (Thank you, Lord!)
Thank you all!
In verse 3, Diddy starts by expressing his fondness for the song “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” highlighting how it brings him a sense of strength and empowerment whenever he hears it.
In the following line, “I thought I told y’all that we won’t stop (We won’t stop) Till we back cruisin’ through Harlem, these old blocks (Yeah),” Diddy references his well-known phrase “we won’t stop,” emphasizing his determination to succeed. He also expresses his desire to return to his roots by cruising through Harlem.
Diddy reflects on the role Harlem played in shaping his identity, acknowledging the challenges he faced there, but also recognizing how the neighborhood ultimately welcomed and embraced him despite the difficulties. He sings, “It’s what made me (Uh huh), saved me, drove me crazy (Oh, oh) Drove me away (Come on), then embraced me (Yeah, yeah).”
In the end, Diddy acknowledges the challenges he’s faced, including fights, scars, and losses, such as the death of his friend, The Notorious B.I.G. (“lost my dog”). Despite these hardships, he stands as a better man, grateful for the support he’s received and the growth he’s experienced. He sings, “But here I stand (Come on) (Here I stand) A better man (Don’t stop) (A better man) Thank you, Lord! (Thank you, Lord!) Thank you all!”
Deeper Meaning Behind “Coming Home”
“Coming Home” is a slow-paced hip-hop and pop track. It started with a “simple piano intro” followed by a “gentle vocal verse from Skylar Grey”. It was penned by Grey, Jay-Z, J. Cole, and Alex “da Kid” Grant, and produced by Jay-Z and Grant.
Diddy expressed his desire for a beat that made him feel like “a white man in a basement in Atlanta” when discussing the track with Kid. Diddy later referred to “Coming Home” as a gift from Jay-Z and Kid.
Grey shared on Genius that she originally wrote the song for T.I. upon his release from prison. She said:
This is actually crazy. I wrote “Coming Home” for T.I. originally because he was getting out of prison, so it was originally written about that. But Puff wanted “Coming Home” when he heard it and the song I had originally written for Puff, which is called “Castle Walls,” ended up on T.I.’s album. So they swapped songs. The meaning of “Coming Home” changed and that’s the beauty of music: it’s open to interpretation.
In the song, Diddy reflects on his life, acknowledging past mistakes and struggles while expressing a desire to reconcile with his true self.
Through lyrics like “A House Is Not a Home,” Diddy questions the true meaning of home and grapples with the pain of loss. Meanwhile, lines such as, “I thought I told y’all that we won’t stop, Till we back cruisin’ through Harlem, these old blocks,” embody his determination to reconnect with his roots and find peace within himself.
In the end, the title “Coming Home” can be interpreted metaphorically, representing not only a physical return to a familiar place but also a psychological or emotional return to a state of inner harmony and contentment. It encourages those facing difficulties to persevere and become the person they’re meant to be.
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