FEAR

by NF

Hello darkness, my old friend (Hello) Knocking at my door again (*Knock knock knock*) Beggin' me to come outsi-ide Let you back into my life Now, usually I'd be strong enough To lock the doors and keep 'em shut But not today, I'm desperate (Desperate) So go ahead and come on in So go ahead and come on in So go ahead and come on in OCD is worse than ever, hands are bleedin', maybe I should take the pills, don't (Woah) Know what's goin' on with me, some days I actually think I might be schizo— (Woah) Phrenic, prolly not, but even writin' this is makin' me begin to spiral, oh, God (Oh, oh, oh) Made a promise to myself I wouldn't let the fear back in, but then I did though (Woah) Told the world that I was sick of runnin', then went back to runnin', what a joke (Woah) Disappointed, yeah, me too, I thought I finally had finally made a breakthrough, guess not (Oh, oh, oh) It's the same song and dance, you've all seen it before Darkness holds out his hand, then we walk through the floor Every decision made isn't mine anymore Like a puppet with strings, I just don't have a choice What's the truth? What's a lie? Help me God, help me Lord Face your fears, dry your eyes Grandma died, what's the point? Lost the keys, lost my hope, lost my will, lost my joy Lost a friend, lost my home, lost my faith, lost my voice (Desperate) Standing back, watching my mansion burn to ash while I (*Laughter*) Hold the gas can, asking God if He started this fire Is this what You wanted? Is this what You wanted? Make all my hopes and my dreams come to life just to lay them to rest Is this what You wanted? Is this what You wanted? Give me a false sense of peace just to show me what peace really is Is this what You wanted? On the verge, on the edge (Is this what You wanted?) Petrified, scared to death (Is this what You wanted?) Prayin' to God, desperate (Is this what You wanted, what You wanted?) (Is this what You wanted?) Hangin' on by a thread (Is this what You wanted?) Empty heart, nothin' left (Is this what You wanted?) Breakin' down, spiralin' (Is this what You wanted, what You wanted?) (Is this what You wanted?) Standing back (Is this what You wanted?) Watching my mansion (Is this what You wanted?) Burn to ash (Is this what You wanted?) while I (Oh, oh, oh) (What You wanted, is this what You wanted?) Hold the gas (Is this what You wanted?) can Asking God if (Is this what You wanted?) He started this fire (Is this what You wanted, what You wanted?)

Composer: NF

In-depth Analysis of 'FEAR' by NF | LyricLens AI

NF's 'FEAR' is a raw and visceral journey into the artist's intense internal struggles with mental health and the pervasive presence of fear. The track opens with a poignant acknowledgment of darkness as an 'old friend,' setting a tone of weary familiarity with his demons.

Central Themes Explored:

Mental Struggle & OCD: NF vividly portrays the torment of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, describing bleeding hands and the feeling of spiraling, suggesting a mind constantly at war with itself.
Loss of Control & Despair: The lyrics frequently depict a profound sense of helplessness, feeling like a 'puppet with strings,' unable to resist the return of fear despite past promises. This feeling is amplified by existential questions about life's purpose after loss.
Questioning Faith & Purpose: The track grapples with profound existential questions, particularly in lines like 'Grandma died, what's the point?' and direct pleas to God, questioning divine intent behind his suffering and the destruction of his hopes.
Betrayal by Hope: The imagery of a 'mansion burn[ing] to ash' after hopes and dreams were brought to life highlights a deep sense of betrayal and the fleeting nature of peace, suggesting that moments of calm are often precursors to renewed struggle.

Emotions and Atmosphere:

The song is saturated with raw desperation, fear, profound sadness, and a sense of being perpetually on the edge. NF's intense delivery creates an atmosphere of suffocating internal conflict, vulnerability, and a desperate cry for understanding. The recurring plea 'Is this what You wanted?' underscores a feeling of being tested and abandoned, seeking answers in his pain.

Ultimately, 'FEAR' is a harrowing exploration of the artist's psyche, revealing a relentless battle against inner demons and the overwhelming presence of fear, leaving the listener with a deep sense of empathy for the internal conflict portrayed.

FEAR by NF: Q&A and Fun Facts

What is the main theme of NF's 'FEAR'?

NF's 'FEAR' primarily explores themes of intense mental health struggles, including anxiety, OCD, and a profound sense of loss of control. It delves into the artist's battle with his inner demons and his questioning of faith amidst suffering and disappointment.

What does "Hello darkness, my old friend" signify in 'FEAR'?

This opening line, reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel, signifies the unwelcome but familiar return of fear and darkness into the artist's life, highlighting a cyclical struggle despite his previous attempts to overcome it and lock it out.

What does NF mean by "mansion burn to ash" in 'FEAR'?

The "mansion burning to ash" symbolizes the destruction of his hopes, dreams, and a sense of peace that he believed he had built. It represents a feeling of losing everything he values, often coupled with questioning divine intent and whether this suffering was desired.

Fun Facts:

'FEAR' is part of NF's 'FEAR - EP', released in 2025, continuing his tradition of deeply personal and introspective music.
The song uses vivid, almost cinematic imagery, such as being a "puppet with strings" and a "mansion burning to ash," to convey the depth and intensity of his internal conflict.
NF's lyrical style often combines deeply personal narratives with a fast-paced, intense delivery, which is powerfully evident throughout 'FEAR', making his struggles palpable.