Home Sings Me of Sweet Things

The issue of home, homeownership, popular culture, public policy, and the inextricable web they weave in our national narrative is fascinating… and I am pleased to be able to present my research and thoughts on the subject at the 2011 New England American Studies Association Conference in November. I hope you will join the “Places and Spaces” panel on Friday, November 4, 2011 at Plimoth Plantation.

In the mean time, I leave you with some of my favorite songs about home... and encourage you to share yours below. 

Little Boxes by Melvina Reynolds 

There's a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one,


And they're all made out of ticky tacky


And they all look just the same.

(or the same song performed by the amazing Pete Seeger) 

This Must Be the Place by the Talking Heads

But I guess I'm already there

I come home –she lifted up her wings

Guess that this must be the place

I can't tell one from another

Did I find you, or you find me?

Home is Where the Heart Is by Elvis Presley

Home is where the heart is

And my heart is anywhere you are

Anywhere you are is home

I don't need a mansion on a hill

That overlooks the sea

Anywhere you're with me is home

I’m Going Back Home by Nina Simone

I'm going back home where I was born

First I planned to stay but I can't live this way

I'm going back home where I was born

Written by Marieke Van Der Steenhoven

University of Southern Maine, American and New England Studies