In 2000, Ferrick founded her own record label, Right On Records. The first studio album released on her own label was Valentine Heartache.
Her 2011 album was entitled "Still Right Here".
Website: www.melissaferrick.com
Nebraska
Melissa Ferrick Lyrics
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Why don't you just hurry up and go?
Come on tear up and sweat with me
Kiss me one last time
'cause I knew you were there
Yeah out there on your own
Somewhere inside you
You're always getting up the nerve
Taking one deep breath to claim your forgiveness
To walk out the door to face fear's glorious roar
[Chorus]
Fine, so why don't you go baby?
Just leave myself to me
Cause I got where I am
By just getting back on my feet
And I am tough as nails
Yeah baby I can hold back the wind
And my strength is my soul
Unlike you, my soul lies under my skin
Under your nerves
Under your hands
And I'm sorry to say, your body
Your body just ain't for me anymore
Cause you've got me sick in the throat
Cause it knows I've been standing here lying
Trying to save face by smiling
When inside my heart looks like a disaster
Like blown-out semi tires all over Nebraska
And I'm so far from a sure-fire bet
Baby you could give me a mile ahead
And I'd still lose the race
[Chorus]
What are you waiting for?
Why don't you just hurry up and go
Come on tear up and sweat for me
Kiss me one last time
Last time
Time
Time
The lyrics of Melissa Ferrick's song "Nebraska" are about a person who has been waiting for someone who is always planning their exit but doesn't have the courage to leave. The singer encourages this person to leave and stop delaying because their relationship has deteriorated to the point where their partner's body is no longer attractive to them. The singer talks about their own strength and resilience, contrasting with their partner's lack thereof. The chorus repeats the idea of the singer being better off alone and not needing their partner.
The song captures the frustration and hurt of being in a relationship with someone who doesn't seem to care about it as much as the singer does. The contrast between the singer's strength and her partner's indecisiveness is palpable, and the lyrics are evocative and emotional.
Overall, "Nebraska" is a powerful and evocative song about the complexities of love and relationships. It touches on themes of strength, courage, and resilience, while also exploring the pain and frustration that can come with trying to hold onto a relationship that has run its course.
Line by Line Meaning
What are you waiting for?
Asking the other person to take a step towards leaving because things are not working out.
Why don't you just hurry up and go?
Encouraging the other person to leave quickly to avoid further distress to both parties.
Come on tear up and sweat with me
Asking the other person to put in as much effort as the singer did to make things work.
Kiss me one last time
Requesting a final kiss before the separation.
'cause I knew you were there
Acknowledging the other person's presence and the fact that they were trying to make things work too.
Yeah out there on your own
Highlighting the fact that the other person was trying to figure things out on their own despite the singer's efforts.
Somewhere inside you
Acknowledging the other person's internal struggles that are preventing them from making things work.
You're always getting up the nerve
Recognizing the other person's attempts to gather the courage to take a step towards leaving.
Planning your exit
Recognizing the other person's plans to leave.
Taking one deep breath to claim your forgiveness
Suggesting that the other person is taking a moment to forgive themselves for the decision to leave.
To walk out the door to face fear's glorious roar
Encouraging the other person to face their fears and leave, which will ultimately be better for both parties involved.
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the artist's desire for the other person to leave.
Fine, so why don't you go baby?
Asserting that it's alright for the other person to leave, as it's what they seem to want.
Just leave myself to me
Accepting the fact that the singer will be alone after the other person leaves.
Cause I got where I am
Acknowledging the singer's strength and resilience.
By just getting back on my feet
Asserting that they've overcome difficulties in the past and will do so again after the person leaves.
And I am tough as nails
Asserting that the artist is incredibly tough and resilient.
Yeah baby I can hold back the wind
Metaphorically stating that the singer is able to stand strong despite difficult circumstances.
And my strength is my soul
Asserting that their inner strength is what keeps them going.
Unlike you, my soul lies under my skin
Comparing the artist's inner strength to the other person's apparent lack of strength, which lies on the surface.
Under your nerves
Suggesting that the other person's struggles are due to their own insecurities and internal struggles.
Under your hands
Metaphorically stating that the other person's lack of inner strength is apparent in their actions.
And I'm sorry to say, your body
Acknowledging the other person's physical presence.
Your body just ain't for me anymore
Asserting that the artist is no longer attracted to the other person due to the growing distance and difficulties in the relationship.
Cause you've got me sick in the throat
Metaphorically expressing the singer's disgust and discomfort with the situation.
Cause it knows I've been standing here lying
Acknowledging the singer's tendency to hide their true feelings and pretend that things are okay.
Trying to save face by smiling
Trying to maintain a positive attitude despite the growing difficulties and the other person's apparent lack of interest in making things work.
When inside my heart looks like a disaster
Internal emotional turmoil due to the situation in the relationship.
Like blown-out semi tires all over Nebraska
Metaphorically describing the internal emotional turmoil as a disaster that leaves everything in disarray, like blown-out tires across the state of Nebraska.
And I'm so far from a sure-fire bet
Acknowledging their own uncertainties about themselves and their ability to succeed in the relationship.
Baby you could give me a mile ahead
Suggesting that the other person could give them a head start, but...
And I'd still lose the race
...they feel they would still ultimately lose the battle and the relationship would fail.
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the artist's desire for the other person to leave.
What are you waiting for?
Repeating this question again to urge the other person to take action and leave.
Why don't you just hurry up and go
Reiterating the desire for the other person to leave quickly to avoid prolonging the pain of the relationship.
Come on tear up and sweat for me
Asking the other person to put in more effort to make things work, even though the artist knows it's unlikely to happen.
Kiss me one last time
Repeating the request for a final kiss before the separation.
Last time
Last time emphasizing the finality of the separation.
Time
Ending the song with just the word 'Time'.
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