Released January 21, 1990 Genre Smooth jazz Label Arista | Recorded 1989 Length 5:29 | |
Writer(s) Kenny G, Walter Afanasieff, Burt Bacharach | ||
"Going Home" is an instrumental song by American saxophonist Kenny G which was released in 1990, from the artist's first live album Kenny G Live. The song received acclaim from critics, and has been described as one of Kenny G's most significant songs.
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Reception in China
The song become an unconventional mega-hit throughout the country of China — it has become the unofficial national closing song for businesses such as food courts, outdoor markets, health clubs, shopping malls, train stations, etc., throughout the country. Many businesses begin piping the music over their loudspeakers shortly before closing at night. Television stations also play the song before ending their evening broadcasts at night. Some trains staffed by Nanchang Railway Bureau play the song when reaching the final destinations. Many Chinese, when asked, say they associate the song with the need to finish their activity or business and go home (although they may not even know the name the song or its artist).
In popular culture
In November 2015, "Going Home" was featured in a news segment on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver about China's involvement in the Spratly Islands dispute. Oliver opined that the song could diffuse tension between the United States and China, reporting "For years the tune, in all its seductive woodwind glory, has been a staple of Chinese society. Every day, “Going Home” is piped into shopping malls, schools, train stations and fitness centers as a signal to the public that it is time, indeed, to go home." The segment ends with a performance by Kenny G of "Going Home".