500 Miles Away from Home
Bobby Bare · 1963
30 min · 12 tracks · country music
A poignant blend of storytelling and heartfelt melodies that evoke the wanderlust and heartache of life on the road.
Top tracks — play these first
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500 Miles Away From Home Start here — The title track encapsulates the theme of longing and distance, using vivid imagery to convey the emotional weight of separation from home.
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Lynchin’ Party — This track addresses racial injustice directly, making it one of the earliest examples of socially conscious songwriting in country music, showcasing Bare's willingness to tackle difficult topics.
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I Wonder Where You Are Tonight — This song highlights Bare's ability to express vulnerability through its melancholic melody and lyrics about searching for lost love, reinforcing his narrative strength.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong storytelling and traditional arrangements but lacks the depth for lasting impact.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature prominent acoustic guitar and fiddle arrangements, creating a traditional country sound.
- The last three tracks shift to more reflective themes, with 'Jeannie’s Last Kiss' closing on a somber note.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- heartfelt storytelling of longing
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- nostalgic melodies for quiet times
- consistent narrative flow throughout
- short tracks for easy listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer standalone singles over albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a significant transition for Bare, gaining wider recognition.
- Themes
- longing for home· racial injustice in country· lost love search
- Career context
- When Bobby Bare released '500 Miles Away from Home' in December 1963, he was transitioning from a rising country artist to a notable figure in the genre. This album followed his earlier successful singles, establishing him as a storyteller who infused personal narratives into country music, setting the stage for his future career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kris Kristofferson· Townes Van Zandt· Willie Nelson
Tracklist
- 1 500 Miles Away From Home Start here 2:35
- 2 Homestead on the Farm 2:27
- 3 Let Me Tell You About Mary 1:58
- 4 Abilene 2:10
- 5 Gotta Travel On 2:11
- 6 Lynchin’ Party 2:40
- 7 Worried Man Blues 3:22
- 8 I Wonder Where You Are Tonight 2:32
- 9 Noah’s Ark 2:55
- 10 Sailor Man 2:24
- 11 What Kind of Bird Is That 2:42
- 12 Jeannie’s Last Kiss 3:00
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Man in Black
Johnny Cash
Explores themes of heartache and social issues with a similar storytelling approach.
Our Mother the Mountain
Townes Van Zandt
Shares deep emotional narratives and a sense of longing through poignant melodies.
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Combines personal storytelling and themes of lost love in a stripped-down, heartfelt style.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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