During his senior year of college at UVa, he began to share some of his original songs, performing in living rooms and small gatherings with friends.
His transparent songwriting, catchy melodies, and pristine vocals captivated a rapidly growing fan base on the east coast. With a series of sold-out shows under his belt in his first years as a recording artist, Colberg was ready to hit the ground running for his first headlining tour in March of 2020.
However, after his first show at a sold-out Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, the rest of his east coast tour would have to wait….for two more years.
During a seemingly endless quarantine, Colberg set out to check off another musical bucket-list item, a pop-inspired project. In the Spring of 2021, he flew to Los Angeles to see through the vision. Collaborating with producer Jason Mater, they completed a six-song EP, titled “Dream On, Kid.” The title serves as both a touch of self-deprecation to his ambition as a writer and yet also a message of hope to keep going when hope seems all but lost.
About his music, one reviewer writes, “Across all of his music, he sings—in clear, effortless vocals reminiscent of The Head and the Heart and Vance Joy—of universal ideas like wanting to find a lasting home and being disillusioned by misplaced ambitions.”
On his “Dream On, Kid.” release tour, Colberg will perform with a full band the EP in its entirety for the first time, as well as hand-selected songs from his growing catalog of music, which has garnered over 10 million Spotify streams and counting. The setlist will also include songs from “Into the Wild”, a nine-song album with each song being written for a loved one. This album has still yet to be toured and played live in its entirety as it was released at the beginning of the COVID shutdown.
Calm
Nathan Colberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And can we start something new again
I don't want to know who I've been
I just want to know who you are
See the stars and how they sit
They stay still when everything else spins
Can I know the way of their heart
Can I know the way of their heart
So slow me down
Walk me through your river
Walk me through your river
To calm me down to you
I'm safe and sound
But I don't even know it
I don't even know it
So calm me down to you
Chasing money chasing dreams
And chasing hearts and everything between
The rumble in our hearts has gone numb
The rumble in our hearts has gone numb
I just can't pretend to be
All the people think they see
Cause I don't want to know who I've been
I just want to know who you are
And I don't want to know who I've been
I just want to know who you are
So slow me down
Walk me through your river
Walk me through your river
To calm me down to you
I'm safe and sound
But I don't even know it
I don't even know it
So calm me down to you
Well maybe I can't see
The love is in my heart
And all I need is
Another restart
So slow me down
Walk me through your river
Walk me through your river
To calm me down to you
I'm safe and sound
But I don't even know it
I don't even know it
So calm me down to you
So calm me down to you
The lyrics to Nathan Colberg's song Calm are reflective of someone who is searching for peace and clarity in their life. The opening lines, "Wash the ashes from my hands, and can we start something new again" suggest a desire to let go of the past and start fresh. The singer is not interested in who they have been, but rather wants to focus on who the other person is. This is reinforced in the chorus when the singer asks to be slowed down and guided through the other person's "river" in order to find calmness.
The song touches on themes of finding happiness and contentment in life, as well as the struggle to do so. The line "The rumble in our hearts has gone numb" is especially poignant, as it suggests that the singer and perhaps others around them have lost their passion and drive. However, there is hope in the line "Maybe I can't see, the love is in my heart," suggesting that love and happiness are attainable if we are willing to slow down and take the time to find them.
Overall, the lyrics to Calm are a reflection of the human desire for peace and happiness. It encourages the listener to slow down and take the time to appreciate those around them, and to focus on finding contentment within themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Wash the ashes from my hands
Let me start anew by cleaning away the remnants of the past.
And can we start something new again
Let us embark on a fresh journey together.
I don't want to know who I've been
I am not interested in my past self; I want to focus on the present and who you are.
I just want to know who you are
My primary goal is to discover the essence of your being.
See the stars and how they sit
Observe the celestial bodies and their peaceful composure.
They stay still when everything else spins
They maintain their tranquility even as the world around them is in turmoil.
Can I know the way of their heart
May I understand the source of their composure and apply it to my own life?
So slow me down
I need you to help me decelerate my frenzied pace.
Walk me through your river
Take me through your thoughts and emotions.
To calm me down to you
Bring me to a state of harmony with you.
I'm safe and sound
I am secure and unharmed.
But I don't even know it
Despite this, I am oblivious to my own security.
Well maybe I can't see
Perhaps I am blind to the love that is within me.
The love is in my heart
The emotion that I crave so much is already present within me.
And all I need is
My only requirement is to restart and start over.
Another restart
Another beginning is the only path to peace.
So calm me down to you
Help me reach a place of tranquility and harmony with you.
Can I know the way of their heart
May I understand the source of their composure and apply it to my own life?
And I don't want to know who I've been
I am not interested in my past self; I want to focus on the present and who you are.
I just want to know who you are
My primary goal is to discover the essence of your being.
Chasing money chasing dreams
I have been pursuing material possessions and aspirations.
And chasing hearts and everything between
I have also been searching for love and other things that fall in between.
The rumble in our hearts has gone numb
The emotion and passion that once fueled our hearts have died down.
I just can't pretend to be
I can no longer put up a facade.
All the people think they see
Despite what others may think they know about me.
Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aimeenguyen8755
Wash the ashes from my hands
And can we start something new again
I don't want to know who I've been
I just want to know who you are
See the stars and how they sit
They stay still when everything else spins
Can I know the way of their heart
Can I know the way of their heart
So slow me down
Walk me through your river
Walk me through your river
To calm me down to you
I'm safe and sound
But I don't even know it
I don't even know it
So calm me down to you
Chasing money chasing dreams
And chasing hearts and everything between
The rumble in our hearts has gone numb
The rumble in our hearts has gone numb
I just can't pretend to be
All the people think they see
Cause I don't want to know who I've been
I just want to know who you are
And I don't want to know who I've been
I just want to know who you are
So slow me down
Walk me through your river
Walk me through your river
To calm me down to you
I'm safe and sound
But I don't even know it
I don't even know it
So calm me down to you
Well maybe I can't see
The love is in my heart
And all I need is
Another restart
So slow me down
Walk me through your river
Walk me through your river
To calm me down to you
I'm safe and sound
But I don't even know it
I don't even know it
So calm me down to you
So calm me down to you
@javedkhanhere
Found it on spotify. it is so calming. i'm surprised to see that only 5 people has liked it so far with 60 views. this thing will attract millions. its a hidden gem. but not for long.
@juliusalberto1648
agree I hope someday this Man will be recognized more, because he deserves it💯
@swapman6278
Honestly wish more people would listen to this. Has actually calmed me down in overwhelming situations. I'm probably gonna be a Nathan Colberg fan for life
@RB-vr6ze
I actually know the guy. He was one of the guys who played during church services. He was also one of the directors of the church youth group
@bejo2357
Thanks alexrainbirdMusic for help me to find this really calm song
@czill4603
I recently saw Nathan in concert. He was absolutely amazing!!! So talented!! Don’t miss him in concert if he’s near you.
@dieuhien462
Im happy that I found this wonderful song. This song deserves better recognition
@angelcitygirl
I'm getting a strong coldplay vibe. Love the song. Thank you.
@lilavicheva203
Such a beautiful song and what an amazing voice!
Who else is listening to it while being quarantined and self isolated for (a lot of) days?
It's a hard time we are all going through, but we'll get through it. Stay strong, we'll be okay! Sending love from Sofia, Bulgaria.
@sandra3117
This song feels like a heartfelt prayer. Thank you Nathan.