Nathan … Read Full Bio ↴Nathan Carter (born 28 May 1990) is an Irish country singer.
Nathan was born in Liverpool to parents from Northern Ireland. He began playing the accordion at age 4 and at age 10, he won the title for All Ireland Title for Traditional Singing. At 18 he moved from Liverpool to live in Ireland.
His debut album, Starting Out, was released in 2007 and from then on he has been known for reviving the genre of Country and Irish in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. Nathan released his latest album Where I Wanna Be in August 2013. His cover of the single "Wagon Wheel" has topped the main Irish Singles Chart.
Boys of Summer
Nathan Carter Lyrics
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Nobody on the beach
I feel it in the air
The summer′s out of reach
Empty lake, empty streets
The sun goes down alone
I'm driving by your house
Though I know you′re not home
But I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone
I never will forget those nights
I wonder if it was a dream
Remember how you made me crazy?
Remember how I made you scream
Now I don't understand what happened to our love
But babe, I′m gonna get you back
I′m gonna show you what I'm made of
I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin′ in the sun
I see you walking real slow and you're smilin′ at everyone
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone
Out on the road today, I saw a DEADHEAD sticker on a Cadillac
A little voice inside my head said, "Don't look back. You can never look back"
I thought I knew what love was
What did I know?
Those days are gone foreverI should just let them go but-
I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin′ in the sun
You got that top pulled down and that radio on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone
I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got that hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone
Nathan Carter's "Boys of Summer" captures the essence of nostalgia intertwined with the bittersweet nature of love and the passage of time. The opening lines set a stark, desolate scene: “Nobody on the road / Nobody on the beach.” This imagery conveys a sense of emptiness and longing, suggesting that while summer is typically a vibrant, energetic season filled with life and joy, it is now fading away. The absence of people in familiar settings reinforces the idea of isolation and loss. The mention of driving by someone’s house while knowing they are not home amplifies a feeling of yearning for connection that is no longer attainable, as the singer grasps the emotional void left by a loved one. As he notes, “The summer’s out of reach,” it becomes clear that this song isn’t merely about the physical departure of the season but the emotional distance in a relationship that once thrived during those sun-filled days.
In the chorus, the focus shifts to a vivid memory described through vivid imagery: “Your brown skin shinin’ in the sun.” This line symbolizes not just a physical presence but the warmth and affection that made the singer feel alive. The contrast between the nostalgic memory and the present emptiness emphasizes the depth of his feelings. Although time has passed and circumstances have changed, he expresses unwavering love, stating, “I can tell you my love for you will still be strong / After the boys of summer have gone.” This assertion suggests a lasting emotional bond that surpasses fleeting moments. The phrase "boys of summer" allegorically suggests youth and vitality, and its departure signifies a sobering reckoning with the inevitable changes life brings, yet it also communicates the idea that love can withstand such inevitable transformations.
As the song continues into reflections about past nights and emotional intensity, it delves deeper into the complexities of love and loss. The songwriter recalls moments of passion and connection, grappling with confusion over what led to their current estrangement. The lines “I wonder if it was a dream / Remember how you made me crazy? / Remember how I made you scream” evoke feelings of nostalgia but also a desire for clarity and resolution. The singer's determination to “get you back” reflects a yearning for rekindling the past connection, demonstrating a struggle against the flow of time and change. It embodies a universal theme of wanting to reclaim what was lost, which is a powerful sentiment that resonates with many who have experienced love's highs and lows.
In the concluding verses, the singer observes reminders of the past that echo throughout the landscape. The line about seeing a “DEADHEAD sticker on a Cadillac” serves as a poignant metaphor for juxtaposition; it evokes memories of youth and freedom, but also hints at how those symbols of an idealized past are now tinged with bittersweet nostalgia. The voice inside urging “Don't look back. You can never look back” serves as a reminder of the need to move on yet highlights the profound difficulty in doing so. The cyclical nature of the verses returning to the image of his loved one showcases that while he may grapple with moving forward, his memories continue to shine brightly. In the end, the repetition of love enduring “after the boys of summer have gone” encapsulates a timeless truth about the power of love, suggesting that even as circumstances shift and seasons change, true emotions remain constant, forever etched in the fabric of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody on the road
There is no one traveling along the highway.
Nobody on the beach
The beach is deserted, devoid of people.
I feel it in the air
There is a palpable sense of change in the atmosphere.
The summer's out of reach
The carefree days of summer are slipping away from us.
Empty lake, empty streets
Both the lake and the streets are barren and lifeless.
The sun goes down alone
The sun sets in solitude, reflecting my own feelings of loneliness.
I'm driving by your house
As I pass your home, memories flood my mind.
Though I know you're not home
I am aware that you are absent, deepening my sense of loss.
But I can see you-
However, I can vividly picture you in my mind's eye.
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
I remember the glow of your skin illuminated by sunlight.
You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby
You exude confidence with perfectly styled hair and stylish sunglasses.
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
Despite everything, my feelings for you remain unbroken.
After the boys of summer have gone
Even once the carefree, youthful days come to an end.
I never will forget those nights
The nights we spent together are engrained in my memory forever.
I wonder if it was a dream
I question whether our past experiences were real or merely figments of my imagination.
Remember how you made me crazy?
Reflecting on the intense emotions and passion you stirred in me.
Remember how I made you scream
Recalling the thrilling moments we shared that brought forth strong reactions.
Now I don't understand what happened to our love
I find myself confused about the fate of our once-strong relationship.
But babe, I'm gonna get you back
I am committed to winning your heart once more.
I'm gonna show you what I'm made of
I will demonstrate my true character and feelings in order to rekindle our bond.
I can see you-
Once again, you come to life in my vivid recollection.
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
Your radiant skin glimmers under the warmth of the sun.
I see you walking real slow and you're smilin' at everyone
I envision you strolling leisurely, joyfully engaging with those around you.
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
My affection for you remains steadfast and resilient.
After the boys of summer have gone
Even after the carefree moments of youth have faded away.
Out on the road today, I saw a DEADHEAD sticker on a Cadillac
While driving, I noticed a cultural symbol from a bygone era on a luxurious car.
A little voice inside my head said, 'Don't look back. You can never look back'
A sense of inner wisdom cautions me against dwelling on the past.
I thought I knew what love was
I believed I understood the nature and essence of love.
What did I know?
In hindsight, I realize my understanding was limited and naive.
Those days are gone forever
The moments of our past are lost to time and cannot be revisited.
I should just let them go but-
While I recognize the need to move on, my heart struggles to release them.
I can see you-
You are vividly present in my memory once again.
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
That same radiant skin, now captured in another cherished thought.
You got that top pulled down and that radio on, baby
I picture you enjoying the moment, with the convertible roof down and music playing.
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
My unwavering affection for you remains intact.
After the boys of summer have gone
Even when the youthful, carefree days are just a memory.
I can see you-
You appear to me again, vivid and animated in my thoughts.
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
Your warm, glowing skin stands out brightly in my mind.
You got that hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby
You effortlessly embody a cool vibe with your stylish hair and iconic sunglasses.
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
My commitment to you and my feelings are enduring and true.
After the boys of summer have gone
Even as the fleeting joys of youth fade into the past.
Writer(s): Michael W. Campbell, Donald Hugh Henley
Contributed by Julia B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.