Just Nick is a solo songwriting project started by Nick Wuebben in 2012. Ea… Read Full Bio ↴Just Nick is a solo songwriting project started by Nick Wuebben in 2012. Early recordings of the project feature live-tracked acoustic folk/punk performances, taking strides in 2013’s Semi-revolutionary and 2014’s Bedpunk. These records are followed up by 2014’s Stay Inside, which would contribute material for the conception of a four-piece punk project, Adult School. The following years signaled a transition into predominantly performing with the band, although Just Nick would present its first full-length release on vinyl with Just Nick / 2018. Premiered by The Alternative: “2018 is an impeccable balance of acoustic guitar, raspy vocals, and passionate storylines. With the classic, stripped down essence of traditional folk, and multiple social and political callouts, Wuebben crafts something delicate yet on the verge of explosion.” While continuing work with Adult School, Nick has produced two song-titled companion EPs, the most recent being Desdemona, Virgil, & Celebrity.

Closet Prophet
Just Nick Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm an accidental anarchist
Still don't have my drivers liscense, yet.
And I don't ride bikes like some punks do
'Cause I just walk 'till there's holes in my shoes.
and there's tape on my sole and a hole in my chest that's next to a heart that's sending
dirty looks back to the kid with the 395$ vintage punk leather jacket.
And I don't think I could ever write song
that you could relate to,

but you probably say you do,
and who the hell am I to judge you?
Yeah, who the hell am I to judge you?

Oh, I'm your closet prophet
and your bible says I'm long overdue.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Just Nick's song "Closet Prophet" depict the life of someone who identifies as an accidental anarchist. The singer seems to be living a non-conformist lifestyle and mentioning that they still do not have their driver's license. They refuse to ride bikes like punks and just walk until there are holes in their shoes. The tape on their soles and a hole in their chest display the hardships they must endure to maintain their way of life. They send dirty looks towards a kid wearing a vintage punk leather jacket worth $395, suggesting their disapproval of the commercialization of punk aesthetics. The singer also mentions their inability to write songs that the listener could relate to, but they suppose the listener would claim they do relate to them. Despite their feelings of inadequacy, the singer identifies themselves as the listener's closet prophet, suggesting that they have valuable yet hidden insights that could benefit the listener. The listener's bible supposedly states that the singer's role as a prophet is long overdue.

The song's lyrics highlight the struggles of someone trying to live a non-conformist lifestyle while being aware of their limitations. The singer seems to be aware of their lack of influence over others despite being a prophet. The mention of the listener's bible stating that the singer's role as a prophet was long overdue suggests that the listener might have been searching for a guide or leader. It's possible that the listener sees something valuable in the singer's non-conformist lifestyle and fashion sense, despite their personal limitations. The song's themes of individualism and identity expression are common themes in punk rock and alternative genres.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm an accidental anarchist
I didn't set out to be a revolutionary, but my beliefs and actions are inherently anti-establishment

Still don't have my drivers liscense, yet.
I haven't bought into the societal norm of obtaining a driver's license because it doesn't align with my values

And I don't ride bikes like some punks do
I don't conform to the punk stereotype of riding bikes because I have my own way of living my beliefs

'Cause I just walk 'till there's holes in my shoes.
My commitment to my anarchist beliefs extends to my everyday actions, like walking everywhere and wearing shoes until they fall apart

and there's tape on my sole and a hole in my chest that's next to a heart that's sending dirty looks back to the kid with the 395$ vintage punk leather jacket.
My physical appearance reflects my rejection of capitalism and consumerism, as I choose to patch up my worn-out shoes and clothes rather than buying new ones. I also resent those who flaunt wealth and material possessions

And I don't think I could ever write song that you could relate to,
My art reflects my individuality and experiences, and I don't aim to cater to a mainstream audience

but you probably say you do,
Despite my doubts, I acknowledge that there may be people who claim to relate to my music

and who the hell am I to judge you?
At the end of the day, I cannot control how others interpret my art and I can't fault them for finding their own personal meaning in it

Yeah, who the hell am I to judge you?
I recognize that no one has the right to judge another person's beliefs or experiences

Oh, I'm your closet prophet
I am a figure that represents the personal struggles and beliefs of those who may not fit into mainstream society

and your bible says I'm long overdue.
Those who identify with my beliefs may see me as a long-awaited voice of their own thoughts and emotions

Contributed by Leah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS