Nowhere Fast
Blackalicious Lyrics


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Sample (Scratched by Chief Xcel):

Now you, who ever you are,
as you're listening to what I'm going to say,
will probably not want to believe what I'm going to tell you.
And there isn't any way in which I can make you believe;
I can only state the facts as they are
and hope that you will really believe me.

[Gift of Gab]
Hey yester-day you were supposed to meet me now I got to testify
I waited hours for you guess that all was just a lie
Figured you stepped inside soon enough you said good bye
"Peace Out! I'm gone and won't be back!" I head your echo cry
Oh how the seconds fly left without a second try
I check and try to recollect how I just let you die
And now I wallow in these severed ties

Of Yesterday [woman's voice]

[Gift of Gab]
Of yester-day girl your really gone I guess that's how it just should be
I had big plans for us today but now you're history
Today's a mystery you took pieces I miss of me
I keep on diggin deep tryin to find that kid in me
We had some really good discussions back then didn't we?
Befriended me but now we don't speak like we're enemies
And all I got is memories

Of yesterday [woman's voice]

[Gift of Gab]
But Yester-day memories are priceless and I'm really glad you left em
There etched inside I take a ride when driftin through the spectrum
It's just at times I dwell and dwell and then I have to catch up
To now while back in time it ceased to march it just kept on
I want you back I want you back when it was here I slept on
What I appreciate a little more now as a blessing
Now I'm complaining and regretting

About yesterday [woman's voice]

And I'm just goin nowhere fast

CHORUS: woman's voice (repeat 2X)
I don't try to stay here
I just fly away here
Out of my oasis
I am not complacent

[Gift of Gab]
Your stuck in a flurry of illusions goin nowhere fast

I am today I'm all that ever was and ever is and uh
It is an honor, don't become a mental prisoner
Just listen to the now and keep your mind from driftin off
I am the mission, the position of this instance uh
New opportunity to get the love your wishin for
To kick the door in to look for your ambitions, what?
You can move on out to elevate your existence up

Today [woman's voice]

I'm just today, I'm just the way I am
I am ever single day I am
I'm February, April, March and even May I am
I'm only what you make me hope I'm what you pray I am
Today I am, I'm never really far away I am
You better scope me like the hunter does the prey I am
You play "I am" out in the picture yes today I am
I'm everything your memory say I am

Today [woman's voice]

[Gift of Gab]
So seize me, I'm here to serve you if you serve me back
It's easy, but difficult that's time alone squeeze me
From beaming your feet when your all your actions turn to banking
An inkling, a hint, I'm moving faster than your blinking
So treat to just a slice of heaven why you cheat me?
Deceive me and now I'm hell inside these thoughts that link me
To flesh the soul it's bound to I was truly made to be free

Today [woman's voice]

Instead I'm going nowhere fast

Chorus (repeat 2X)

Sample (scratched by chief Xcel):
I'm only saying this to show how all around
man or beast sleep away there gift of time
and never know the beauty of a good life below

I'm bout to change the way I'm livin homey
I'm eatin vegan, no ham or baloney
I'm startin off my day with yoga stretches
I'm bout to master self to study lessons
I'm swearin off the weed and alcohol
I won't be affected by doubts at all
The sky's the limit, watch I'm bout to ball

I'm spendin every single dollar wisely
I'm writin songs that's bumpin like the Eisleys
I'll have the answers you can all confide in me
Nothin the day could bring that will surprise me
I'm buildin to the fullest every minute
I'm through talkin the talk, I'm bout to live it
Ain't even started yet, I'm at the finish line

Man I can't wait until it's here I'm sayin
Oh what, you haitin? What, you think I'm playin?
You think I ain't just go ahead and watch me
I'll use the lessons yesterday has taught me
I'm countin hours, minutes even seconds
Man I can't even sleep, I'll build my Heaven
Oh what, it here? Oh, oh what, it's what?
Don't even trip, just give me one more day
It's really gonna be on tomorrow

Chorus (repeat to end)

Your stuck in a flurry of illusions goin nowhere fast (repeat 3X)

Sample:
There we are. All finished.
And you don't know how much I appreciate your pardon.

Watch out blazing arrow

Do it just how you talk it
Nigga rolled in and walk it
Stick a toe in the water
Don't falter, go on and fall in
Tell me, do you know your calling?
Yo, what your mission is fella?
I caught this vision when I met a fortune teller
In New Orleans French Quarter
on the bus bench an arbitrary corner
Sorta scary looking elder woman showed up outta nowhere
She stared into my eyes and said
"Sure as eyes green
You were conceived and walk the earth
Spit that heat, purifying I believe.




So are you ready for your cleansin?
Cause this is only the beginning."

Overall Meaning

The song "Nowhere Fast" by Blackalicious opens with a sample scratch that sets the tone for the poem-like verses that follow. The lyrics are about the struggle of moving on from past relationships and memories and the importance of living in the present moment. The song is written in first person and centers around the idea of making positive changes in life to achieve one's goals. Gift of Gab, the rapper, delivers verses that are both introspective and motivating, reflecting on the past and urging listeners to take action in the now. The choruses are sung by a woman's voice, repeating the phrase "I don't try to stay here, I just fly away here, out of my oasis, I am not complacent," emphasizing the importance of not staying in one place and being stagnant in life.


In the second verse, Gift of Gab talks about how he is changing his lifestyle by becoming vegan, doing yoga stretches, mastering self-study lessons, and abstaining from weed and alcohol. He talks about how he will write songs that bump like the Eisleys and have answers for people to confide in him. His main focus is to live life fully and be present every minute. The song ends with a sample to remind listeners to appreciate every moment.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey yester-day you were supposed to meet me now I got to testify
The singer's disappointment in being stood up and the impact of the previous day's events on his current state.


I waited hours for you guess that all was just a lie
The singer's deep dissatisfaction and hurt feelings stemming from being stood up.


Figured you stepped inside soon enough you said good bye
The singer's realization that the other person had abandoned him after making plans.


"Peace Out! I'm gone and won't be back!" I head your echo cry
The memory of the other person's abrupt and hurtful departure.


Oh how the seconds fly left without a second try
The regret and disappointment at not pursuing the relationship further.


I check and try to recollect how I just let you die
The singer's self-reflection leading to feelings of responsibility and regret.


Of yester-day girl your really gone I guess that's how it just should be
The singer's acceptance of the person's departure and the acknowledgement of the end of their relationship.


I had big plans for us today but now you're history
The artist's disappointment at not being able to pursue their plans with the other person.


We had some really good discussions back then didn't we?
The bittersweet nostalgia the artist experiences when thinking about their past relationship with the other person.


And all I got is memories
The artist's acknowledgement that all that remains of their past relationship are memories.


But Yester-day memories are priceless and I'm really glad you left em
The singer's appreciation for the memories they shared with the other person.


There etched inside I take a ride when driftin through the spectrum
The way the artist's memories of the other person influence their emotions and thoughts.


It's just at times I dwell and dwell and then I have to catch up
The way the singer's memories and thoughts can be overwhelming.


To now while back in time it ceased to march it just kept on
The singer's realization that time keeps moving forward, even if they wish to stay in the past.


I want you back I want you back when it was here I slept on
The singer's regret at not fully appreciating what they had at the time.


What I appreciate a little more now as a blessing
The artist's understanding that what they had with the other person was a gift.


Now I'm complaining and regretting
The artist's current feelings of dissatisfaction and inability to change the past.


Your stuck in a flurry of illusions goin nowhere fast
The singer's realization that they are not making progress and are stuck in their own thoughts.


Your stuck in a flurry of illusions goin nowhere fast
The singer's repetition of the line to emphasize its significance.


I am today I'm all that ever was and ever is and uh
The artist's understanding of the significance of the present moment.


It is an honor, don't become a mental prisoner
The artist's admonishment to live in the present rather than the past.


Just listen to the now and keep your mind from driftin off
The artist's advice to focus on the present moment.


I am the mission, the position of this instance uh
The singer's understanding that they are an active participant in their life.


New opportunity to get the love your wishin for
The artist's belief that new things are always possible.


To kick the door in to look for your ambitions, what?
The singer's advice to actively seek out and act on one's goals.


You can move on out to elevate your existence up
The singer's belief that one can always change their circumstances.


I'm just today, I'm just the way I am
The singer's focus on the present moment and self-acceptance.


I'm February, April, March and even May I am
The artist's understanding of their inherent worth and value.


I'm only what you make me hope I'm what you pray I am
The artist's understanding that perceptions of oneself are malleable.


So seize me, I'm here to serve you if you serve me back
The singer's desire to be active & proactive in their own life.


It's easy, but difficult that's time alone squeeze me
The singer's acknowledgement of the challenge of actively living in the present.


From beaming your feet when your all your actions turn to banking
The artist's reminder to prioritize and treasure actions over money.


An inkling, a hint, I'm moving faster than your blinking
The artist's reminder of the speed with which life passes.


So treat to just a slice of heaven why you cheat me?
The artist's belief that happiness and joy are attainable with effort and intentionality.


Deceive me and now I'm hell inside these thoughts that link me
The singer's feelings of despair when their thoughts become negative.


To flesh the soul it's bound to I was truly made to be free
The artist's belief in the power of the soul to liberate oneself.


Your stuck in a flurry of illusions goin nowhere fast
The singer's repetition of the line to emphasize its significance.


Your stuck in a flurry of illusions goin nowhere fast
The singer's repetition of the line to emphasize its significance.


I'm bout to change the way I'm livin homey
The singer's desire to and preparation for change.


I'm eatin vegan, no ham or baloney
The artist's decision to adopt a different diet.


I'm startin off my day with yoga stretches
The artist's decision to begin each day with intentional movement and self-care.


I'm bout to master self to study lessons
The singer's desire to better themselves through intentional education and learning.


I'm swearin off the weed and alcohol
The singer's decision to abstain from certain substances.


I won't be affected by doubts at all
The artist's determination to banish self-doubt.


The sky's the limit, watch I'm bout to ball
The artist's confidence in their ability to achieve their goals.


I'm spendin every single dollar wisely
The artist's decision to be intentional with their finances.


I'm writin songs that's bumpin like the Eisleys
The singer's dedication and passion for music.


I'll have the answers you can all confide in me
The artist's desire to be a reliable source of support for others.


Nothin the day could bring that will surprise me
The singer's confidence and preparedness for all of life's experiences.


I'm buildin to the fullest every minute
The singer's dedication to using their time wisely.


I'm through talkin the talk, I'm bout to live it
The singer's determination to act on their goals and plans.


Ain't even started yet, I'm at the finish line
The artist's confidence and readiness to take on any challenge.


Man I can't wait until it's here I'm sayin
The artist's anticipation and excitement for their future plans.


Oh what, you haitin? What, you think I'm playin?
The singer responds strongly to the possibility of criticism or doubt.


You think I ain't just go ahead and watch me
The singer's challenge to those who doubt their abilities.


I'll use the lessons yesterday has taught me
The artist's acknowledgement of the value of past experiences.


I'm countin hours, minutes even seconds
The artist's eagerness to act in pursuit of their goals.


Man I can't even sleep, I'll build my Heaven
The artist's motivation to work tirelessly in pursuit of their goals.


Oh what, it here? Oh, oh what, it's what?
The singer's excitement and anticipation for their future.


Don't even trip, just give me one more day
The artist's eagerness to continue working and building toward their goals.


It's really gonna be on tomorrow
The singer's confidence in their future and the hard work they have put in so far.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: XAVIER LORENZO MOSLEY, TIMOTHY JEROME PARKER, AHMIR K THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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