Homecoming Lyrics – Ethel Cain

Homecoming Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]
This part talks about a secret moment between two people at a homecoming dance. The singer feels a mix of excitement and nervousness, holding onto something small and special, like a stolen flower. Even though they’re doing something a little risky, they promise to keep it quiet if the other person does too. There’s closeness and intimacy, with the other person’s breath on their neck, and the singer feels more patient and calm than before. They’re comforted by something like a flask, and dancing together makes the moment feel real. The singer admits quietly that they really want this person.

[Chorus]
Here, the singer talks about how their love is huge and personal, but when it becomes the other person’s love too, it turns into a shared thing — and a shared problem. They’re standing really close, almost touching, but both feel awkward and out of sync, like clumsy dancers with “four left feet.” The relationship is intense, and sometimes they get too close emotionally, leading to explosive fights or strong feelings. Even with all the ups and downs, the singer wishes to stay connected forever, wanting to be together even after death.

[Verse 2]
In this verse, the singer feels unprepared for the challenges in their relationship, like bringing a knife to a gunfight. But oddly, the threats feel empty, and they’re overwhelmed and emotional. There’s a secret fear that if the other person sees their true, vulnerable side, they might leave. The singer feels so sad that they imagine crying until they lose their hair. The room feels too loud and suffocating, and the attention from others makes the singer anxious, like everyone is watching and judging the couple strangely.

[Chorus]
This chorus reveals the pain in the singer’s love, comparing it to a wound that bleeds. The other person doesn’t openly notice the things the singer admires about them. The singer feels young and vulnerable, yet strong in their own way, calling themselves the “homecoming queen” soaked in “pig blood,” which shows they feel raw and exposed. They have fire and passion in their eyes but feel emotionally hurt, standing there and crying in the other’s arms, wishing they could escape the pressure and judgment of the crowd watching them closely.

[Outro]
The outro repeats a feeling of being scared and exposed, with the singer sure that everyone is laughing at them. This repeated phrase shows deep insecurity and fear of being humiliated in front of others. It captures a moment of vulnerability where the singer feels completely overwhelmed by the opinions and eyes of people around them, trapped in embarrassment and doubt.