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NPR
Carter Hulsey Lyrics
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Who puts his money in his pocket
It's quiet devotion that feeds a family
But I wanna listen to a poet
Soul like a bird
Cast his lot in the river
No stone unturned
I am looking for salvation
The spoils of labor and the fruit of dreams
The spoils of labor and the fruit of dreams
I'm not ready to go
No, I'm not ready to go
So I turn the music up
It's only stars out here
And follow
Whatever led me hear
Because you were an ocean
Pulling me
I swam like a child
And you swallowed me
I swam like a child and you swallowed me
Im dreaming of a place
Where the flood turns back to rain
A needle hit the echo
And you hear the whole refrain
Because at night while you were driving
The moon lay bay
We're taking naked majesty
I couldn't help but stare
And you were looking for salvation
I was listening to NPR
You rolled down the windows
Cause you can't smoke in a rental car
We rolled down the windows cause you can't smoke in a rental car
The strain just happens
Throughout the lyrics of “NPR” by Carter Hulsey, there is a clear yearning for something beyond the normalcy of life. The first two stanzas of the song show a deep desire to break free from the monotony of everyday life and find something that feeds the soul. The character described in the song wants to understand the man who is content with putting his money in his pocket each day in order to support his family. However, the character himself longs to listen to a poet and to find salvation somewhere between the “spoils of labor and the fruit of dreams.” In these lyrics, we see someone searching for a deeper meaning in life, something more fulfilling than just working hard every day.
As the song progresses, the character finds himself dreaming of a place where “the flood turns back to rain” and a “needle hits the echo.” These are poetic and abstract images that suggest a desire for renewal and a fresh start. The chorus repeats the line “I’m not ready to go” as a way of emphasizing the character’s longing for something more. The song seems to be about the struggle to find purpose and meaning in life, and the search for salvation in something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I can understand a man
I comprehend a man
Who puts his money in his pocket
He who saves his earnings
It's quiet devotion that feeds a family
Family sustenance is given by unwavering commitment
But I wanna listen to a poet
Yet, I long to hear a lyrical genius
Soul like a bird
A free soul like that of a bird
Cast his lot in the river
Ready to experiment regardless of the outcome
No stone unturned
Everything explored
I am looking for salvation
In search of absolution
Somewhere in between
At some point amidst
The spoils of labor and the fruit of dreams
Hard work's results and the accomplishments of aspirations
I'm not ready to go
I'm not prepared to depart
No, I'm not ready to go
No, I'm not prepared to leave
So I turn the music up
To drown out my thoughts, I increase the volume
It's only stars out here
Beneath the dark sky gazes the endless space
And follow
I follow
Whatever led me here
Everything that brought me to this point
Because you were an ocean
Since you were vast like an ocean
Pulling me
Attracting me
I swam like a child
I swam as carelessly as a child would
And you swallowed me
You accepted me entirely
I'm dreaming of a place
I visualize a place
Where the flood turns back to rain
Where expressions of emotions come to a halt
A needle hit the echo
A sharp reverberation
And you hear the whole refrain
Resulting in the complete melody
Because at night while you were driving
While driving at night
The moon lay bay
The moon rested low
We're taking naked majesty
Enjoying enthralling magnificence
I couldn't help but stare
I had to observe
And you were looking for salvation
While you were seeking redemption
I was listening to NPR
I listened to NPR
You rolled down the windows
You lowered the car windowpanes
Cause you can't smoke in a rental car
As smoking in a hired vehicle was not permitted
We rolled down the windows cause you can't smoke in a rental car
Both of us experienced fresh air as smoking was disallowed in a rented car
The strain just happens
The tension inevitably occurs
Contributed by Alex V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carter Hulsey
I can understand a man
Who puts his money in his pocket
It's quiet devotion that feeds a family
But I wanna listen to a poet
Soul like a bird
Cast his lot in the river
No stone unturned
I am looking for salvation
Somewhere in between
The spoils of labor and the fruit of dreams
The spoils of labor and the fruit of dreams
I'm not ready to go
No, I'm not ready to go
So I turn the music up
It's only stars out here
And follow
Whatever led me hear
Because you were an ocean
Pulling me
I swam like a child
And you swallowed me
I swam like a child and you swallowed me
Im dreaming of a place
Where the flood turns back to rain
A needle hit the echo
And you hear the whole refrain
Because at night while you were driving
The moon lay bay
We're taking naked majesty
I couldn't help but stare
And you were looking for salvation
I was listening to NPR
You rolled down the windows
Cause you can't smoke in a rental car
We rolled down the windows cause you can't smoke in a rental car
The strain just happens
Traci McGinnis
Absolutely love this man, his sweet soul, calm personality, and just the all the round great guy....your awesome Carter...
Yolanda Hernandez
My favorite! No matter how many times I listen to it I get goose bumps. Beautiful voice, lyrics and song. AMAZING!!!
Dylanraymondmusic
Amazing as always man! So happy to be able to call you a friend! Thank you for everything you've taught me! Hope all is well bro!
Mary O. Paddock
Awesome stuff as always Carter. It's a pleasure to watch you grow as a musician. (Jeremiah's mom)
patchofblack
Carter its amazing how you just continue to create the most beautiful and meaning music. Im proud to call you my friend and and so proud of how ypu keep getting better and better. Never stop cause this is what you were born to do..
Brittany Helton
Carter, you never cease to impress me!
ashley harp
I loved it!
Ellie Ann Lang
This is great.
whithuhk
Simply perfect, Carter. :D
BlueNettles
the most beautiful voice<3^^