The lights on the plane dim as you look out the window at your hometown fading into a distant image. Everything you’ve ever known becomes a tiny constellation of lights through the clouds and Noah Kahan’s voice echoes through your headphones. Tears leave your eyes as you ponder over a bittersweet decision that you got to make all on your own.
“So, pack up your car, put a hand on your heart
Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are”
Noah Kahan, known for weaving themes of personal growth, small-town life, and melancholy into his music, strikes a chord with anyone who has left home to chase their dreams, as captured in his 2022 song You’re Gonna Go Far.
Although Kahan has been releasing music since 2017, he achieved widespread recognition with the release of his album Stick Season in 2022. The album is a lyrical tug on the hearts of many listeners.
You’re Gonna Go Far, the 20th song on the album, resonates deeply with those who have left home to pursue an education in a foreign country, like many of us here in Prague.
The song unfolds from the perspective of a loved one back home – like a friend left behind in your hometown. It’s an emotional anthem of unconditional support and bittersweet goodbyes, capturing the polarity of the stagnant world that was left behind and the inevitable changes from venturing into new opportunities.
“The birds will still sing, your folks will still fight
The boards will still creak, the leaves will still die
We ain’t angry at you, love
We’ll be waitin’ for you, love”
Noah’s lyrics delve into the inner conflict of leaving comfort and familiarity behind to pursue the uncertainty of the unknown – a journey that promises rewards.
Through his lyrics, he reassures us it’s okay to leave, follow your dreams, embrace changes, and take the leap. Although it’s hard to say goodbye and let go, the people and memories you are leaving behind will always be there waiting for you.
His emotional delivery of:
“And we’ll all be here forever
You’re gonna go far,”
serves as a reminder for the weight of your decision – the inevitable distance and uncharted journey ahead that will undoubtedly lead to growth. Yet, it reminds us what we leave behind will always be there – celebrating and watching us grow from afar with unwavering love and admiration.
