'Nowhere Fast' by Sam Barber - Lyrics & Meaning

Following the release of his debut album, the exceedingly popular Restless Mind, in November 2024, Sam barber has treated new and old fans alike to new songs only nine months later.

Released as part of a 7-track EP entitled ‘Music For The Soul’, ‘Nowhere Fast’ explores the narrative of chasing a destination that never comes and the perception that he’s lost his identity.

It’s classic Barber. His sultry, almost drowsy vocals serenade over easy beats and clever lyrics. There are echoes of early Zach Bryan and more recent Dylan Gossett with that far away feel to the music.

The song is steeped in the sadness of trying to find yourself. Compromising on the life you have for the life you want and the heartache that it can cause. Barber explores love lost, suggesting the risk was not worth the reward.

There's a drop dead smile and a beautiful mind

That I traded for a dollar and a couple of lines

While living out his dreams of being a fulltime musician, Barber paints a picture of emptiness. Again, the idea of a lost lover creeps in, with Barber admitting that he’s not coming home. He’s got a gypsy soul now, forever searching for the piece that will make him whole again.

I sing every night, but it still just ain't right

I remember holding hope in the stinging cold

Said I'd make a little money and move on home

But we both know that it just won’t go that way

There’s a skyline city buried in my mind of traces of a man long left behind

I swear I haven’t changed, but some think I might

I swear I haven’t changed, and it ain't a matter of time

Reassuring his family, fans, strangers or himself, Barber tells us that he hasn’t changed. He’s locked into who he’s always been and that won’t ever go away. Perhaps he once chased the big lights of the city and maybe that’s still in there somewhere, but for now he’s headed for an arbitrary destination to live out his dreams but consequently feels he’s getting nowhere, fast.

The singer-songwriter has remained fairly quiet about the release of ‘Music For The Soul’, since posting the first glimpse on social media back in June and then announcing the release of ‘Home Again’ in July - another song that found its home on the EP.

With Barber currently out on tour though, we’re expecting to be hearing a few of these moving tracks, including ‘Nowhere Fast’, as he’s on the road.

There’s a skyline city buried in my mind, traces of man long left behind

I swear I haven’t changed, but some think I might

I swear I haven’t changed it ain't a matter of time

I thought moving on to something new to fill my time

But again, I'm just as empty as a bottle of wine

Oh lord, I can’t erase what's wired in my mind

Oh lord, I can’t erase what's wired in my mind

Dove in deep, to cut in my roots

Just prayin’ to the lord I'll find my truth

But right now, right here, don’t feel like anywhere

Through these days that beat my ass

And learning you just can’t get nowhere fast

But somehow, someday I know I'll make it there

Somehow, someday I know I'll make it there

There's a drop dead smile and a beautiful mind

That I traded for a dollar and a couple of lines

I sing every night, but it still just ain't right

I remember holding hope in the stinging cold

Said I'd make a little money and move on home

But we both know that it just won’t go that way

Yeah, we both know that it just won’t go that way

Dove in deep, to cut in my roots

Just prayin’ to the lord I'll find my truth

But right now, right here, don’t feel like anywhere

Through these days that beat my ass

And learning you just can’t get nowhere fast

But somehow, someday I know I'll make it there

I know I'll make it there

Lord I know I'll make it there

There’s a skyline city buried in my mind of traces of a man long left behind

I swear I haven’t changed, but some think I might

I swear I haven’t changed, and it ain't a matter of time

--

For more on Sam Barber, see below: