Drifting
Watchin' the world go round
World go, yeah (World go round)
Listening
To unfamiliar feelings and unknown sounds
Unknown sounds, unknown sounds
[Verse 1]
Slippin' through my fingertips (Ayy), lingerin'
Shoulda, woulda, coulda, where'd I put the pen? (Woah)
Make a list of all my failed attempts
Runnin' outta space again
Highlight all the things I wish I never said (Stop)
If feeling makes you stronger, I'm the weakest
That would mean that I would have to separate from my beliefs
It's not a secret, I'm a puzzle, got a lotta missin' pieces
Underneath this strong persona, I put on's a kid that's screamin'
Aren't these waters so deceivin'? (So dеceivin')
They look differеnt, don't they?
Well, at least that's how they seem to me
'Cause we just drift and drift and drift
Until we see something that we define as peaceful
Grab the needle, shoot reminders in my veins
That people leave you while I'm driftin'
Watchin' the world go round
World go, yeah (World go round)
Listening
To unfamiliar feelings and unknown sounds
Unknown sounds, unknown sounds
[Verse 2]
Lots of gossip, I've been watchin' you
How you're talkin' to yourself is rude
Driftin' I'm in the same boat as you
Sinkin', dreamin', screamin' for some truth
And (My, my) escalator's broke, I'll take the stairs, I guess
Climb until I'm outta breath
Questioning my every step (Woah)
My train of thought is leadin' me to different tracks
Positive that where I'm at is not where I should stay and that's (Why)
Told you look into the mirror and say, "I love you"
Convince yourself that no one in the world would ever want to
Passin' by the people that have been there to support you
From the get-go, disrespectful, drive you mental
Might get stressful when I'm driftin'
I see you in the distance
Askin' me why I'm so distant, I'm convicted
I'm convinced that I predict that all my wishes on my wish list won't be heard
'Cause I'm committed to the lie that feeling safe is unrealistic
When I'm driftin'
Watchin' the world go round
World go, yeah (World go round)
Listening
To unfamiliar feelings and unknown sounds
Unknown sounds, unknown sounds
[Outro]
Ignorant to my ignorance
Tell me I'm worth it, God
Give me the faith to rise and help me diversify
To take a step forward, immersed in my belligerence, amplified
The feelings and words collide
Intensified by living a life deprived
I'd rather be burned alive
Than go back to thinkin' I'm insignificant (Insignificant)
Every impotent moment debated can trigger it
God is my witness definitive
Holdin' my head up, there isn't an innocent bone in my body
But that's what gives me the energy lacked
To renovate, have to innovate, past intimidates
Can't remain afraid
About
On “DRIFTING”, NF raps about insecurities and lack of self-love. He expresses feeling lost and helpless with no purpose, expanding on the song “Hate Myself” from his 2019 album The Search. Unlike the aforementioned, “DRIFTING” ends on a more hopeful note, with Nate asking God to make him see his own worth so that he can climb out of the rut he is currently stuck in.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
In an Instagram live NF said:
“DRIFTING” was made a while back. I thought that song was kinda unique and cool, just how the track was.
In an Instagram live NF said:
At some point I think “DRIFTING” was going to be on the next project, which I’m glad it wasn’t ‘cause I don’t think I would have wanted it on there. Sometimes I’ll start making songs right after like, right after The Search happened, I’ll start getting in the studio making stuff and then I hear it later and I’m like “Oh man, it feels dated”. And that could ended up being one of those songs.
- 1.CLOUDS
- 4.STORY
- 5.PRIDEFUL
- 6.LOST
- 7.LAYERS
- 8.DRIFTING
- 9.TRUST
- 10.PAID MY DUES
- 11.CLOUDS (Edit)
