Closer to Nowhere
Jen Foster Lyrics


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Do you know who you are?
Do you ever think about it?
If you were told it’s a place
Would you drive until you found it?
Or would you turn down a street
That you know would lead to where you were before?
You call it home, but are you really sure
That’s your home?
Do you know what you want?
Have you ever reconsidered
What a trip we are on
And it’s the only ride we’re given?
If you could fly, would you try?
Would your feet stay firmly planted on the ground?
Can you explain why the only place you go
Is to waste?

Now you go to work and you work all day
You smoke and bitch on your coffee break
You tell some jokes to kill that time
Til the boss comes back and at the stroke of 5
You hit those bars, you have some drinks
You drown in all your long lost dreams
Oh no, you’re closer to nowhere

Do you know who you love?
Can you say those words with feeling?
Or when you look in those eyes
Is there someone else you’re seeing?
Do you dream of a day
You could take the love without running away?
What is it now? Do you need a little space?
Or are you wanting out?

Now you go to work and you work all day
You smoke and bitch on your coffee break
You grab that phone, rehearse those lines
Then you call home sayin’ you gotta work tonight
You hit those bars, you buy some drinks
For the first one who looks good and thinks you’re cool
You’re closer to nowhere...

You fake it so well
Nobody can tell
You buy what they sell
You’re going places....

Now you go to work and you work all day
You smoke and bitch on your coffee break
You share your plans and you swear you’ll quit
Maybe next year or the year after it
You hit those bars, you have some drinks
You take those pills, you go to sleep
You wake up someday all alone
You realize another year is gone
You’re closer to nowhere

And all these signs will be your guides
But you must pay attention
And all the lights that line the sides
Are beautiful, don’t miss them...





You’re closer to nowhere...

Overall Meaning

In Jen Foster's song "Closer to Nowhere," the lyrics explore important questions about identity, purpose, and relationships. The first verse centers around the idea of self-awareness, asking "Do you know who you are?" and challenging the listener to consider whether they are truly living the life they want to live. The second verse looks at the mundanity of daily life and the distractions that keep us from fully engaging with our dreams and desires. The chorus serves as a reminder that if we continue to prioritize the wrong things, we will end up getting nowhere.


The bridge of the song reiterates the importance of paying attention and being present in the moment, recognizing that the signs and opportunities we need to move in the right direction are all around us. The final verse circles back to the idea of relationships, asking "Do you know who you love?" and questioning whether we are able to fully embrace our feelings and be honest with ourselves and the people in our lives.


Overall, "Closer to Nowhere" is an introspective song that invites the listener to reflect on their life and consider whether they want to continue down the path they are on or make a change. The lyrics urge us to be more mindful and intentional about our choices, recognizing that if we don't, we may end up feeling lost and unfulfilled.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you know who you are?
Have you discovered your true identity?


Do you ever think about it?
Have you ever reflected on who you really are?


If you were told it’s a place
If someone tells you that your true identity is a physical location


Would you drive until you found it?
Would you embark on a journey to find your true identity?


Or would you turn down a street
Or would you just take the same old path?


That you know would lead to where you were before?
That you know will only take you back to the same place?


You call it home, but are you really sure
You say it's home, but are you truly confident?


That’s your home?
That it's where you belong?


Do you know what you want?
Do you have clarity on your purpose?


Have you ever reconsidered
Have you ever pondered other possibilities?


What a trip we are on
How amazing this journey of life is


And it’s the only ride we’re given?
And we only have one chance to make the most of it?


If you could fly, would you try?
If you had the chance to soar, would you take it?


Would your feet stay firmly planted on the ground?
Or would you always stay within your comfort zone?


Can you explain why the only place you go
Can you justify why you waste your time?


Is to waste?
Is to squander your time?


Now you go to work and you work all day
You spend the entire day at work


You smoke and bitch on your coffee break
You smoke and complain during your break


You tell some jokes to kill that time
You share some jokes to pass the time


Til the boss comes back and at the stroke of 5
Until the boss returns and it's time to go home


You hit those bars, you have some drinks
You go to bars and drink alcohol


You drown in all your long lost dreams
You indulge in your forgotten desires


Oh no, you’re closer to nowhere
Sadly, you're still going nowhere


Do you know who you love?
Have you identified the one you love?


Can you say those words with feeling?
Do you express your love genuinely?


Or when you look in those eyes
Or do you see someone else when you gaze into their eyes?


Is there someone else you’re seeing?
Do you have feelings for another person?


Do you dream of a day
Do you hope for a future day?


You could take the love without running away?
Where you could embrace love without fear of leaving?


What is it now? Do you need a little space?
What's the case? Do you need time alone?


Or are you wanting out?
Or do you want to break free?


You grab that phone, rehearse those lines
You pick up your phone and practice what to say


Then you call home sayin’ you gotta work tonight
Then you call home saying you have to work tonight


For the first one who looks good and thinks you’re cool
For the first person who seems attractive and impressive to you


You’re closer to nowhere...
You're still going nowhere


You fake it so well
You pretend convincingly


Nobody can tell
No one can spot the act


You buy what they sell
You buy into what they offer


You’re going places....
You think you're making progress


You share your plans and you swear you’ll quit
You reveal your goals and vow to stop the negative habits


Maybe next year or the year after it
Maybe not soon, but someday in the future


You take those pills, you go to sleep
You swallow some pills and doze off


You wake up someday all alone
One day, you'll wake up all by yourself


You realize another year is gone
Then you'll realize another year has passed


You’re closer to nowhere
And you're still going nowhere


And all these signs will be your guides
All these signals can point the way


But you must pay attention
But you have to stay vigilant


And all the lights that line the sides
And all the twinkling lights on the way


Are beautiful, don’t miss them...
Are stunning, don't overlook them


You’re closer to nowhere...
You're still progressing nowhere




Contributed by Alyssa B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

DoctorwhoXMangafan2

Love this song so much and the video is perfect with it!

Iggysluckytonite

Jen wherever you are, r u still writing music? I was head over heels for thirty-nine upon my first listen over ten years ago. You have amazing talent and you should be even bigger than you are in my opinion

fourteentwelve

I love this song, and the video! Thank you for putting it up here.

Venusbeautygirl

💗💗💗 this song!

Yola Image Print, Web & Video Design

great song and video. shared it on fb. hope we see you in France one day :)

Venusbeautygirl

I feel like this on the daily😬