There was a time that I swore I would never go back
I was blind to the truth, didn't know what I had
I was running, I was searching
But every place I turned for healing
Left me more broken than the last
Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church
Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost
Now I'm making my way to the foot of the cross
It's not a trophy for the winners
It's a shelter for the sinners
And it's right where I belong
Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church
I want to go to church
Oh, more than an obligation
It's our foundation
The family of God
I know it's hard
But we need each other
We're sisters and brothers
Oh, take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church
Yeah, I want to go to church (Take me back)
Oh, I want to go, want to go, I want to go
Oh, I want to go to church (Take me back)
Oh, I want to go to church
Church (Take Me Back)
Church (Take Me Back) Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Cochren & Co.'s song "Church (Take Me Back)," released on November 1, 2018, explores a deeply personal journey of faith and belonging. The narrative begins with a reflection on a past decision to leave the church, viewing it as a place the narrator swore they would never return to. This departure stemmed from a sense of being lost and searching for healing elsewhere, only to find that those alternative paths led to deeper brokenness rather than restoration. It paints a picture of someone who initially saw truth dimly but later recognized what had been lost.
The core of the song is a heartfelt plea to return, expressed through the repeated desire to be "taken back." This return is not merely to a physical building but to a feeling and a community. The lyrics emphasize the church as a place that feels like home, where there are dependable people and faith that runs deep. It is described as a sanctuary where one is accepted despite having been "seen... at [their] worst," highlighting a sense of unconditional love and acceptance often associated with initial spiritual experiences. The journey back involves making one's way to "the foot of the cross," recognizing it not as a symbol of achievement for the perfect, but as a shelter specifically for sinners, which is acknowledged as the place of belonging.
Beyond being a personal refuge, the song portrays the church as something more than an obligation; it is a foundation and the "family of God." The lyrics acknowledge that maintaining this connection can be challenging, but underscore the vital importance of mutual support, seeing members as "sisters and brothers" who need each other. This perspective broadens the scope from an individual need for return to a recognition of the collective identity and purpose of the church community. The repeated calls to "go to church" reinforce the strong yearning for this sense of home, acceptance, and familial connection.
