1. With over 40 singles and 12 full length recordings over a career spanning almost 30 years, the most prolific and long-standing act recording and performing under the name The Nomads is the Swedish rock band whose original members were Hans Östlund (guitar), Nick Vahlberg (bass/guitar and vocals) and Joakim Tärnström (guitar/bass). With drummer Ed Johnson they cut their first single 'Psycho' in 1981. Their first album, the mini-LP "Where the Wolfbane Blooms" followed in 1983. The band arguably has made a greater impact overseas than in their native country with their uncompromising guitar-based rock in the tradition of The Hives, Sator, Hellacopters and Backyard Babies. This band is still active, both in Sweden and abroad. Hans and Nick remain band members to the present day.
2. The Nomads were an early British beat band, formed in 1962 and originally consisting of bassist Keith Karlson (born Keith Alcock) and Jon "Bob" Conrad. The band was joined in September 1962 by lead singer, pianist Stu James (born Stuart Slater), rhythm guitarist, vocalist Adrian Lord (born Adrian Wilkinson). The band continued without a lead guitarist when Wood left. At the suggestion of Beatle George Harrison, pianist Terry O'Toole was added to the lineup in August 1963; Harrison having heard him play at a jazz club. The band also changed their name in August 1963 to The Mojos and Lord changed from rhythm guitarist to lead guitarist. This lineup recorded 'My Whole Life Through'.
3. There was also an Orcadian beat group who had a 7" single on the GRAMPIAN record label in 1965 Hey Little Girl / I'm coming home (NAN 1008).
4. The Nomads were a lesser known Texas garage rock band from the 1960s.
5. The Nomads were a 1960s garage beat band from Washington.
Miles Away
The Nomads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some people don't know when it′s time to quit
You got nowhere left to run
No, this is it
You got poison running through your veins
You got somethin' missin' with your brains
It must be hard to walk
And you′re mile away from where you wanna be
Miles away, even the blind can see
Miles away, you′re just a memory
Stuck between the devil and deep blue sea, oh no
You last checked to the gravy train
From now on nothing will remain the same
'Cause it′s way to late for you
To stake your claim
You're not the center of the universe
You should know ′cause you're not the first
Better check your enemies
For that you′re the worst
And you're mile away from where you wanna be
Miles away, even the blind can see
Miles away, it's just a penalty
Stuck between the devil and deep blue sea, come on
You know it′s gotta stop
Because your time is up
Too wrong to make it right
But not this time
Because you′re mile away from where you wanna be
Miles away, yeah, anyone can see
Miles away, jou're just a parody
If you′re a winner, where's your victories?
You′re mile away from where you wanna be
Miles away, even the blind can see
Miles away, this is your penalty
Stuck between the devil and deep blue sea, alright
The Nomads' song "Miles Away" is a poignant commentary on someone who has hit rock bottom and has lost their way. The lyrics use imagery of being stuck at the bottom of a deep, dark, pit with poison running through their veins, heavy chains holding them back and being stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. The person being referenced in the song is someone who doesn't know when to quit and has nothing left to run to.
The song is about someone who had it all and was once riding high on the "gravy train" but has now lost everything. They are a parody of themselves and even the blind can see that they are a mere memory of their former self. The lyrics hint that this person may have been their own worst enemy, and the heavy chains spoken of might suggest that it was through their own actions that they find themselves in this predicament. The song has a sense of finality and resignation, with the recognition that it's way too late to stake a claim on anything.
In essence, "Miles Away" is a song about lost potential, regret, and the consequences of one's actions. It speaks to the human condition of struggling to find our place in the world, and the journey we take to find our way back when we lose our path.
Line by Line Meaning
You′re at the bottom of the bottomless pit
You are in a place where it seems like there is no way out, like you have hit rock bottom.
Some people don't know when it's time to quit
Some people can't recognize when it's time to stop, even when continuing on isn't doing them any good.
You got nowhere left to run
You have exhausted all of your options and have nowhere else to turn.
No, this is it
Whatever situation you are in, this is the end of the line, you cannot go further.
You got poison running through your veins
Your mind and body is poisoned with negative thoughts and feelings that are holding you down.
You got somethin' missin' with your brains
You are lacking something, maybe motivation or inspiration, that prevents you from making forward progress.
It must be hard to walk
The burden of your troubles has become so great that it feels like you are carrying heavy chains with every step you take.
With all those heavy chains
Those heavy chains represent the weight of your problems and issues, which are dragging you down.
And you're mile away from where you wanna be
You are so far from achieving your goals that it feels like you are miles away from where you want to be.
Miles away, even the blind can see
Your situation is so obvious that even someone who can't see can recognize it.
Miles away, you're just a memory
Your current state is so distant from where you would like to be, that it feels like a memory, something that happened long ago.
Stuck between the devil and deep blue sea, oh no
The expression 'between the devil and the deep blue sea' means to be in a situation where there are two equally bad choices. Here, it is an explanation of how trapped and helpless you feel.
You last checked to the gravy train
You were taking advantage of a situation that you knew wasn't indefinite, but now that situation has come to an end.
From now on nothing will remain the same
Things will change, but not for the better, and you will feel it the hardest.
'Cause it's way too late for you
It's too late for you to correct the course of your actions, as the damage has been done.
To stake your claim
You cannot assert your right to something, since you cannot even hold onto anything.
You're not the center of the universe
You need to recognize that your problems are not unique and that you are not the only one suffering.
You should know 'cause you're not the first
There are others who have gone through similar experiences, and hence it's time that you learn from their experiences.
Better check your enemies
You should introspect and start reflecting on your choices and actions before you start blaming other people as your enemy.
For that you're the worst
In fact, you are your own worst enemy as your choices and actions have led you to this situation.
You know it's gotta stop
You know that this negative cycle of events must end.
Because your time is up
You reached the end of the line, and now there is no more time for you to waste. You have to start taking action if you want to change your situation.
Too wrong to make it right
No matter what you do, it seems like you are not able to make things right again.
But not this time
But you must always keep trying even if you have previously failed because you can overcome your problems with enough effort.
If you're a winner, where's your victories?
If you really are a winner, then why haven't you achieved any victories lately?
Miles away, yeah, anyone can see
Everyone can see the distance between where you are and where you need to be, or want to be, regardless of how foolish or ignorant they may be.
Miles away, you're just a parody
You are no longer yourself, and you have become a parody of your previous self.
Miles away, this is your penalty
Your situation is your own fault, a result of your own bad decisions, and you must now suffer the consequences.
Stuck between the devil and deep blue sea, alright
You are in a terrible predicament, stuck between two equally bad options, but you must keep going forward, no matter what happens.
Writer(s): Johnson Tommy Nils, Oestlund Hans, Vahlberg Niklas Gustav
Contributed by Charlie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.