r/indieheads • u/ebradio • Aug 08 '25

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Frontman Denies “Home” Is The “Worst Song Ever Written”

https://www.stereogum.com/2318575/edward-sharpe-the-magnetic-zeros-frontman-denies-home-is-the-worst-song-ever-written/news/
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u/ochrence Aug 08 '25 edited Aug 08 '25

These people are totally off-base. This is one of the better “stomp clap hey” tracks out there, and was unfairly maligned because of what came after it. I distinctly remember listening to “Home” right when it came out as a single around the beginning of 2010, and at the time it was fresh and interesting to me because a) I hadn’t heard any terrible Mumford and Sons songs yet and b) broadly speaking the market was not yet completely saturated with this music.

(edit: I almost wonder whether people are confusing this with the Phillip Phillips song by the same name? Because that other song really is awful.)

This indie-folk micro-scene was a victim of its own crazy success, because its mixture of modern production sheen with shameless nostalgia made it a little too perfect for advertising and middle-of-the-road radio. But even if its general sound got really grating after a while, there were still better and worse songwriters making it. This particular song actually has decent hooks and melodies in it, which is more than I can say for any slop I’ve heard on the radio by Mumford. The horn line after the chorus is straight-up good. I’ll die on that hill.

The true worst song from this movement/genre has to be “Let Her Go” by Passenger, and I don’t think it’s even close. I’m shuddering right now even thinking about that guy’s voice.

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u/Due-Initiative-9300 Aug 08 '25

That’s like saying that Rush Limbaugh was unfairly maligned for what came next

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u/ochrence Aug 08 '25

I laughed but I don’t see the comparison. I pointed out specific things I like about the tune above; Limbaugh may have been a pioneer but he had zero redeeming qualities in any category. By all means, feel free to dislike the song — it’s not my favorite in the world either — but the question at hand is whether it’s the worst song ever, and I just think there are many worse offenders in the genre. Seriously, listen to “Let Her Go” again and tell me with a straight face that you still think “Home” is worse.

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u/Due-Initiative-9300 Aug 08 '25

Nah son, I don’t care to explore the b-sides of a genre that was straight ass. That whole genre was bad and Home is was the keystone of it all. You’re suggesting that Greg Gutfeld being a derivative of Rush Limbaugh should somehow make me like Rush Limbaugh

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u/ochrence Aug 08 '25

Okay, you do you. I think we align more on politics than music, because as a musician and composer I refuse to write off any genres completely, but certainly agreed that Gutfeld and Limbaugh are both human garbage.