Uploaded December 2009 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
"Homeward Bound" is a 1966 song by Simon and Garfunkel, produced by Bob Johnston and recorded on December 14, 1965. Paul Simon is said to have written the song at the former Ditton railway station in the town of Widnes, in the north-west of England, while stranded overnight waiting for a train. The song describes his longing to return home, both to his then girlfriend, Kathy Chitty in Brentwood, Essex, England, and to return to the United States. The song debuted on Billboard Hot 100 Chart on February 12, 1966, peaking at #5. It remained on the charts for 12 weeks.
A live version of the song takes the place of the studio version on the compilation Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits.
The song is one of Simon's signature tunes along with The Sounds of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, and Bridge Over Troubled Water and is played frequently at his concerts.
In 1976, Simon and former Beatle George Harrison played this song and Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" on an episode of Saturday Night Live that Simon hosted and on which Harrison was the musical guest.
Several artists have covered this song, including The Beau Brummels, Cher, Glen Campbell, Janie Fricke, Jack Jones, Jack's Mannequin, William Joseph and Petula Clark.
"Homeward Bound" is a 1966 song by Simon and Garfunkel, produced by Bob Johnston and recorded on December 14, 1965. Paul Simon is said to have written the song at the former Ditton railway station in the town of Widnes, in the north-west of England, while stranded overnight waiting for a train. The song describes his longing to return home, both to his then girlfriend, Kathy Chitty in Brentwood, Essex, England, and to return to the United States. The song debuted on Billboard Hot 100 Chart on February 12, 1966, peaking at #5. It remained on the charts for 12 weeks.
A live version of the song takes the place of the studio version on the compilation Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits.
The song is one of Simon's signature tunes along with The Sounds of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, and Bridge Over Troubled Water and is played frequently at his concerts.
In 1976, Simon and former Beatle George Harrison played this song and Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" on an episode of Saturday Night Live that Simon hosted and on which Harrison was the musical guest.
Several artists have covered this song, including The Beau Brummels, Cher, Glen Campbell, Janie Fricke, Jack Jones, Jack's Mannequin, William Joseph and Petula Clark.
