The British band Ten Years After hit the stage on Sunday, August 17th at about 8.15 pm. They were known for heavy blues rock, and long guitar and drum solos. But what could have been a world-shaking performance failed due to technical reasons: the high humidity caused the instruments to go out of tune, the sound recording partially failed, and the camera team was just able to film the last song, "I'm Going Home", an intense performance which was one of the highlights of Woodstock.
However, the over 12-minute encore number "I'm Going Home" demonstrates the power of Ten Years After, and especially the virtuosity of guitarist Alvin Lee. The song is a tribute to '50s rock'n'roll. It has a very fast and repetitive guitar riff in the refrain and is built upon various solos. The middle part (of the Woodstock version) features a short medley of "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", as well as "Boom Boom" from John Lee Hooker.
Lyrics
Goin' home, my baby
Goin' home, my baby
Goin' home, to see my baby
Our baby, how good
My baby, be good
I'm goin' home, my baby
Home to see my girl
Oh baby, baby, I'm coming home
Baby, baby I'm coming home
Tell me Mama, baby, I'm coming home
Gonna see my baby, see my baby fine
Gonna take my baby, want to take my baby mine
Gonna take my woman treats me real kind
I'm goin' home, my baby
I'm goin' home, to see my baby
Goin' home, my baby
Gonna see my baby, see my baby fine
Take my baby, take my baby mine
Gonna tell your mama how good that love of ours
I'm goin' home, to see my baby
I'm goin' home, to see my baby
Oh, baby ooh
Want to take you back, take where love belong
Treat me baby, treat, don't treat me wrong
Oh, baby, I'm rollin'
Baby, baby, I'm rollin'
Baby, baby, I'm rollin'
Won't you shake me, baby, well get you rollin' down
Won't you shake me, baby, well get you rollin' down
Oh, baby, we're gonna have some fun
Baby, please don't go, baby, please don't go
Baby, please don't go, baby, please don't go
Please don't go, she's cold, I need you
Comin' home, ooh, hey
Come on over baby, whole lotta shakin' goin' on
I'm goin' home, to see my baby
Home, to see my girl, ooh
'm goin' home, take my baby
I'm goin' home, see my baby
Gonna take me back, I'll take her where I belong
I'm goin' home, to see my baby
I'm goin' home, to see my baby
Come on, Take me, Yeah
I'm goin' home, I'm goin' home
I'm goin' home, hey, hoo
Gonna take me back right where I belong
I'm goin' home, I'm goin' home I'm goin' home, I'm goin' home Hoo, hoo, right where I belong
Songwriters: Alvin Lee I’m Going Home lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC