NF is the stage name of rapper and composer Nate Feuerstein from Gladwin, M… Read Full Bio ↴NF is the stage name of rapper and composer Nate Feuerstein from Gladwin, Michigan. Feuerstein endured a hardship-filled childhood in which his parents divorced, his mother's boyfriend physically abused him, and his mother eventually killed herself. Music was his escape, and he began recording songs on a karaoke machine, with instrumentals on one microphone and his raps in the other. Placing second in a nationwide Fine Arts Festival rap competition in 2008, and first in Michigan the following year, he independently released a debut album, Moments, in 2010. The album attracted the attention of Xist Music, which signed him to a recording deal in 2012, by which time Feuerstein had taken on the stage name NF. The label announced the release of an EP that same year, but it never appeared, and NF and Xist parted ways. NF spent the next two years looking for a label and working with local producer Tommee Profitt in his studio; they came up with the song "Wake Up," which convinced Capitol Christian Music Group to sign him. CMG released a six-song (including a Manny Marroquin remix of "Wake Up") self-titled EP late in the summer of 2014. His debut album, Mansion, was released in early 2015 and reached number 62 on the Billboard 200 while topping the Christian Albums chart. The aptly titled Therapy Session followed in 2016 and also topped the Christian Albums chart with its raw emotions and honest lyrics. The following Summer saw the release of the singles "Outro" and "Green Lights", in anticipation of the arrival of his third studio long player, Perception, which dropped later that October. NF achieved mainstream popularity in 2017 with Perception; the album charted at number one in the United States and was certified platinum, while its third single, "Let You Down", reached number twelve on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and was a top-ten hit internationally. He achieved similar commercial success with his follow-up The Search (2019). Feuerstein's most recent album, Hope, released on April 7, 2023, had commercial success and peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard 200.

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Green Lights
NF Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah
My name buzzin', ain't no way you could ignore it
I did not come this far so they could ignore me
I am not the one to say, "I'll do it in the mornin'"
I'd rather get it done, don't focus on what's not important
They try to talk to me like they been nothin' but supportive
Appreciate the love, but do not show up on my doorstep
If you ain't about that real, I suggest that you avoid me
If we ain't on the same page, that's the end of story, agh!
Hey, you are not a baller 'cause your closet's full of Jordan's
You are not a rich man 'cause you're on the Forbes list
First, I dropped a record, then you know I gotta tour it
Real's still the slogan, only difference is there's more of us
The story of my life feels like it's just beginnin' now
I ask you a question, I want answers, not the run-around
You the one that brought it up, but I'm the one to shut it down
If you ain't got the album yet, I brought you one, I'm at your house
Hey!

All I see is green lights (woo!)
All I see is green lights
All I spit is real life
Bet you don't know what that's like (huh?)
All I see is green lights (woo!)
All I see is green lights (woo!) yeah
All I spit is real life
I bet you don't know what that's like

I know where I'm goin', I don't let no one distract me
I don't need directions from nobody in the back seat
I don't need these people in my corner tryna gas me
I'd rather have people in my corner tryna check me
Yeah, I walk off the bus a different city than the last week
Let the fans speak, they gon' tell you 'bout the past me
If I'm bein' honest, last year I was in a bad place
Wouldn't say I'm out of it, but don't feel like I can't be, agh!
Who you know droppin' clean records, but they nasty?
I was made for this, I could tell when Mama had me
I hopped right off the table, told my doctor, "I ain't average"
He asked me, "What does that mean?" I told him, "Get the pen and pad, please"
Who'd a known I'd write something that could change lives?
I don't think y'all fully understand the way you changed mine
I look at the future that's in front of me with both eyes
Three records, three years, I don't like to waste time

All I see is green lights, yeah! (yeah) (woo!)
All I see is green lights, haha!
All I spit is real life (real life)
Bet you don't know what that's like (you don't know!)
All I see is green lights (green lights) woo!
All I see is green lights (green lights—haha), yeah!
All I spit is real life (oh, real life!)
I bet you don't know what that's like (no!)

Hey!
All I see is—green lights!
Yeah!
Oh my!
Yeah!

Overall Meaning

In "Green Lights," NF raps about his personal drive and determination to succeed in the music industry. He reflects on his own journey and the obstacles he has faced along the way, acknowledging that he doesn't let anyone distract him or derail him from his goals. The song is structured around a metaphor of traffic lights, where green lights symbolize success, progress, and positivity. He uses this metaphor to convey his focus and dedication to his craft, stressing the importance of staying true to oneself and not getting sidetracked by external pressures or expectations.

NF opens the song by establishing his reputation as an up-and-coming artist, emphasizing that he's not someone to be ignored. He rejects the idea that he should put things off until tomorrow, instead prioritizing what's important and avoiding distractions. He also cautions against insincere support, preferring to be surrounded by genuine people who challenge him to be his best. Throughout the song, NF expresses gratitude for his success while also acknowledging the hard work and dedication it has taken to get there.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah
Acknowledgement and acceptance of the current situation

My name buzzin', ain't no way you could ignore it
My name is popular, it cannot be overlooked

I did not come this far so they could ignore me
I have worked hard to get where I am, I cannot be ignored

I am not the one to say, "I'll do it in the mornin'"
I am not one to procrastinate

I'd rather get it done, don't focus on what's not important
I prefer to complete tasks and prioritize important things

They try to talk to me like they been nothin' but supportive
People talk to me as if they have been supportive when they have not

Appreciate the love, but do not show up on my doorstep
I am grateful for support, but do not visit me uninvited

If you ain't about that real, I suggest that you avoid me
If you are not genuine, it is better if we do not cross paths

If we ain't on the same page, that's the end of story, agh!
If we do not understand each other, it's best we part ways

Hey, you are not a baller 'cause your closet's full of Jordan's
Material possessions do not define your status

You are not a rich man 'cause you're on the Forbes list
Being on the Forbes list does not necessarily mean you are wealthy

First, I dropped a record, then you know I gotta tour it
I release music, then tour to promote it

Real's still the slogan, only difference is there's more of us
My slogan is still the same, the difference is there are more people supporting me

The story of my life feels like it's just beginnin' now
I feel like my life is just starting to unfold

I ask you a question, I want answers, not the run-around
I expect direct answers when I ask a question

You the one that brought it up, but I'm the one to shut it down
You started the topic but I am the one who ends it

If you ain't got the album yet, I brought you one, I'm at your house
I will personally give you my album if you do not already have it

All I see is green lights (woo!)
Everything is going well for me

All I spit is real life
I only rap about my true experiences and emotions

Bet you don't know what that's like (huh?)
You cannot relate to my life experiences

I know where I'm goin', I don't let no one distract me
I have my goals set and will not let anyone deter me from achieving them

I don't need directions from nobody in the back seat
I am capable of making my own decisions, I do not require guidance

I don't need these people in my corner tryna gas me
I do not want people just saying positive things to make me feel good, I want constructive criticism

I'd rather have people in my corner tryna check me
I prefer having people who challenge me and push me to do better

Yeah, I walk off the bus a different city than the last week
I travel a lot for my music and each city is a new experience

Let the fans speak, they gon' tell you 'bout the past me
My fans will tell you about my past struggles and how far I have come

If I'm bein' honest, last year I was in a bad place
Truthfully, I was not in a good state last year

Wouldn't say I'm out of it, but don't feel like I can't be, agh!
I am not completely out of that dark place, but I know I can overcome it

Who you know droppin' clean records, but they nasty?
Who else releases music that is both positive and relatable?

I was made for this, I could tell when Mama had me
I was born to create music, it is my destiny

I hopped right off the table, told my doctor, "I ain't average"
I was confident from a young age that I was destined for great things

He asked me, "What does that mean?" I told him, "Get the pen and pad, please"
I told my doctor to get ready to write down my lyrics

Who'd a known I'd write something that could change lives?
I did not expect to have such a positive impact on people through my music

I don't think y'all fully understand the way you changed mine
I am grateful for my fans and the positive influence they have on me

I look at the future that's in front of me with both eyes
I am focused on my future and determined to succeed

Three records, three years, I don't like to waste time
I have accomplished a lot in a short amount of time and am motivated to continue producing great music

All I see is green lights (woo!)
Everything is going well for me

All I speak is real life
I only rap about my true experiences and emotions

Bet you don't know what that's like (you don't know!)
You cannot relate to my life experiences

Hey!
An interjection to emphasize my point

All I see is—green lights!
Everything is going well for me

Oh my!
An expression of excitement or disbelief

Yeah!
An affirmation of my current situation

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Garcia, Nate Feuerstein, Tommee Profitt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Mel

on How Could You Leave Us

12w

I get NF's pain I give everyone with this experience the best of wishes

.

on HOPE

35w

The song HOPE by NF is about finding hope and defining success through difficult times. The first verse addresses a person who has been dragging their feet for thirty years and not fulfilling their promises, causing stagnation. The chorus of the song, "Hope", is a message to himself to not lose faith in himself and to keep going, as people have been praying for his soul. Following the chorus, the rapper defines his own version of success, which revolves around listening to God, standing up for one's beliefs, dreaming big, working hard, and being willing to take a chance on something that could be considered impossible.

The second verse continues to delve into the rapper's personal struggles and growth, including having regrets and carrying baggage. However, he also discusses the positive outcomes of going through tough times, such as a mental breakdown that led to getting help and healing. The rapper concludes the song by taking charge of his own life and declaring that he is the one in charge of his own destiny and the direction of his life.

Overall, HOPE is a powerful and inspiring song that encourages listeners to have faith in themselves and their abilities, even in difficult times. It also emphasizes the importance of defining success based on personal beliefs and values rather than external validation or societal norms.