A Quiet, Soulful Yearning for Homecoming
“Homeward Bound,” as sung by Chris and Susan Norman, feels not just like a cover—but a heartfelt confession from seasoned travelers, a duet that weaves together longing, memory, and the deep comfort of return.
In the world of music where so many songs come and go, this rendition by Chris Norman, joined by Susan Norman, stands as a tender testament to the power of home—not just as a place, but as a feeling nurtured by shared life. Originally written by Paul Simon and made famous by Simon & Garfunkel, Homeward Bound captures the soulful restlessness of a wandering artist. Chris’s version appears on his 2011 album Time Traveller, an album of reflection and journey.
Unlike the original—which soared high in the charts, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 during its 1966 release this Norman duet wasn’t made for chart domination. It wasn’t about breaking records; it was about touching hearts. There’s no public record of this version reaching high on mainstream charts, because it belongs to a different realm: the intimate space of memory, love, and quiet reflection.
The Story Behind the Song
The origins of Homeward Bound are deeply personal: Paul Simon is said to have written it while waiting for a train in England, longing for Kathy Chitty—his muse and his home. That sense of wanderlust, of being far from someone who matters, is universal—and the Normans tap into that beautifully.
Chris Norman, once lead singer of the soft-rock band Smokie, has spent a life on the road. His career has taken him across Europe and beyond, through the highs of chart hits and the quieter moments of performance. By the time he recorded Homeward Bound, he was no longer the young rocker chasing fame, but a mature artist reflecting on the long road behind him—and the peace found in coming home. Susan Norman, his partner in life, joins his voice in this song in such a gentle, comforting way that the track becomes less about isolation and more about a loving return. Their harmony suggests not just a man yearning for home, but a couple who knows that home is where their hearts meet.
Meaning & Emotional Significance
At its core, Homeward Bound is a meditation on belonging. The iconic lines—
“Home, where my thought’s escaping.
Home, where my music’s playing.
Home, where my love lies waiting,
Silently for me.”
—they resonate with anyone who has felt the weight of constant travel, the loneliness of unfamiliar places, and the yearning for something or someone constant and sure.
In this version, Chris’s voice carries the wear of time—not rough, but warm, seasoned by decades of performance. Susan’s voice complements him like a familiar embrace. It’s more than nostalgia; it’s a recognition that “home” isn’t just behind you, but around you, in the person you love.
For listeners who have lived through many seasons, this duet can open a floodgate of memories: perhaps of long journeys, of waiting rooms in train stations, of quiet reunions. It speaks to the older soul in a way that few songs can: not by shouting, but by whispering truths we already know deep inside.
Artistic Context & Impact
While Chris Norman is best known for hits like “Midnight Lady” and his duet “Stumblin’ In” with Suzi Quatro, this song belongs to a more reflective, personal corner of his catalog. It’s the kind of song not meant to be a radio smash, but a gift—for his own voice, for his listeners, and for his lifelong partner Susan.
The YouTube performance (acoustic) of Chris & Susan Norman singing Homeward Bound has drawn many comments from devoted fans who feel its emotional sincerity. They note that hearing the two of them together brings a special warmth, as though they are not singing from a stage but from the heart.
Why It Matters, Especially to Older Listeners
For people who have seen the world change around them—who remember times of vinyl, tube radios, and long-distance calls—the song is a bridge between eras. It links the folk-rock poetry of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1960s to the mature, steady voice of a lifelong musician. It whispers of roads traveled, love maintained, and the timeless pull of home.
In a sense, this version by the Normans is a kind of musical homecoming—not just for the singer, but for the listener. It reminds us that no matter how far we go, the greatest journey is often the one that leads us back to where our hearts are rooted.