Verse 1: NF
Look
Self-awareness
Pride's a coat and yes, I like to wear it
Buttoned up, don't like to let no air in
With a pair of gloves that I hope doesn't perish
I discovered, though, when I get holes in them and I let joy in, I'm in higher spirits
My mistakes are like a screamin' parrot
Just repeatin' lyrics, I can barely bear it when I'm lost
Road is narrow, I'm lookin' down it like a gun's barrel
Aren't we all searchin' for the serum that could help us breathe and leave our state of peril?
All of us have made defensive scarecrows, that we scatter 'round our fields and treat like heroes
When they scare away the things that we should cherish
'Cause we're too embarrassed to admit the fear is that we're lost
Yeah, but what does it matter? I get so combative
Inside of me's a personal canvas, the paint can be splattered
Get messy when I start to get rattled
The heart of a savage, I'm quiet when I lurk in the shadows
But somethin' don't add up, I don't wanna be overdramatic
But look at the data, it's obvious that humans are fragile
We tend to get mad at the ones that call us out but the fact is we need someone that'll be honest when we fly off the handle
I admit I throw a fit when I begin to unravel
Keep my wits, been off the grid but now I'm back in the saddle
My intent is not to rent, I like to own what I value
I could sit here on the fence or maybe pick up the paddle
I like to row against the current, that's the way that I travel
Opposite of what the grain does, got the brain of a rebel
Take initiative, I'm diligent on every level
I never could settle, I like to keep my foot on the pedal, yeah
I'd love to pack arenas and all
But what I really wanna do is learn to handle my thoughts
And put the reins on 'em, show 'em I'm the one that's the boss
And pull 'em back when they get out of hand, I'm breakin' they jaws
I'm takin' the flaws, that told me I could never evolve
Then pull a Bane on 'em, ask 'em, "Oh, you think you're in charge?"
You oughta know better, ain't no way around it, I'm flawed
The traits that I want, they say I can't afford what it cost
Pre-Chorus 1: NF
But I, manifested this
Failing's how you grow and learn your lessons, kids
Take the worst and try to make the best of it
'Cause when you fail, just know that it's a test and if
You can learn to pick yourself back up again
And train your brain to not be such a pessimist
It's okay to make mistakes, just don't forget that
There's a high road but I skip the exit when I'm lost (Lost)
Chorus: NF
Yeah
When I'm lost
When I'm lost (Lost)
When I'm lost
When I'm lost, lost
Verse 2: Hopsin
Wow, these burdens are heavy
And I'm hopin' it don't bury me
I used to be joyful and skip so merrily
But now I'm too cautious and tip toe carefully
My mind left and it's nowhere to be found
Am I a big ol' parody?
'Cause it's no fair to me
And now I'm at the point where I'm spending a grand a week on hypnotherapy
Look, I'm tryna wash away my sins
I got a group of loved ones that ain't my friends
And if I ever take an L then they might grin
And they all wanna see me stay in the cage I'm in
So when it come to anybody, there's no trust for no one
Man, so what? My whole plan's to go nuts
My shoulders ready for more shrugs, I'm gon' judge
Anybody tryna enter my circle with no love (Hol' up)
My sanity's gone, I'd rather be torn from this planet they planted me on
Yes, that's a reward, I'm actually bored with having a sore heart
It's torn apart from a family that I don't have anymore (Now hol' up)
I was livin' so oblivious with millions, it really was a pity, huh? (A pity, huh?)
It's kinda funny what a penny does, mixed in with a mini buzz (I feel stuck)
Life's got me by the neck, with a blade against it (What?)
Guess I was runnin' late for the train and missed it (What?)
The only thing I feel is pain and vengeance (What?)
So I'ma act out like a ragin' misfit (What?)
And every verse I lay gon' stay sadistic (Yeah)
You wanna hate me? Good, great, terrific (Good)
You'll never see the day where my anger's dismissed
You better go and change your wishlist 'cause I
Pre-Chorus 2: Hopsin, NF, Both
Yeah, manifested this
Do not treat me like some adolescent kid
I am prayin' to the Lord with the Book of James hopin' He gon' add my testament
This dark cloud, that's my residence
Demons knockin', I don't have to let 'em in
I done made mistakes, day to day, you probably can't relate
I just ain't the same when I'm lost (Lost)
Chorus: NF
Yeah
When I'm lost
When I'm, when I'm lost (Lost)
When I'm lost
When I'm lost, lost
Lost
Lost Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "Lost," a powerful collaboration between NF and Hopsin released on March 11, 2021, delves into the raw and often painful experience of feeling directionless and battling internal demons. The track serves as a deeply introspective exploration of vulnerability, pride, fear, and the struggle for mental and emotional control. Accompanied by a video that visually complements its themes, the song resonates with listeners who have faced periods of confusion and self-doubt.
NF opens the track with a dissection of pride, describing it as a protective coat that prevents him from letting "air in," suggesting a guardedness that stifles joy. He contrasts this with the relief found when vulnerability creates "holes" in his defenses, allowing higher spirits to enter. His internal struggles are personified as a "screamin' parrot" repeating past mistakes, a burden almost unbearable when feeling lost. He uses vivid metaphors like looking down a "gun's barrel" to depict the narrow, intense focus of being lost and questions a universal human search for a "serum" to alleviate peril. The concept of creating "scarecrows" out of defensiveness is introduced, highlighting how these perceived protectors can scare away the very things we should cherish, fueled by the embarrassment of admitting we are lost. NF acknowledges his combative nature when rattled but also his quiet observation from the "shadows," recognizing the inherent fragility of humans and the necessity of honest feedback, even when it causes anger. He details his tendency to "unravel" but also his resilience, getting "back in the saddle." NF asserts a desire to "own what I value" rather than just "rent" it, signifying commitment and authenticity. His approach to life is one of resistance, rowing "against the current," embodying the "brain of a rebel" who is diligent and always pushing forward, never settling. Amidst aspirations for external success like packing arenas, his true goal is internal mastery: learning to "handle my thoughts" and assert control over them, likening it to breaking their jaws. He confronts the flaws that told him he couldn't evolve, challenging them directly with a Bane-like intensity, yet acknowledges the undeniable truth that he is flawed and the cost of desired traits is high.
Hopsin's verse offers a contrasting, perhaps even darker, perspective on feeling lost, describing burdens so heavy they threaten to bury him. He contrasts a past state of joyful skipping with a present caution and fear, feeling like a "parody" as his mind is gone. The desperation is palpable, evidenced by spending significant amounts on hypnotherapy in an attempt to "wash away my sins." Hopsin expresses profound distrust for those around him, describing a group of "loved ones that ain't my friends" who wish for his downfall. This lack of trust leads to a defensive stance, judging anyone attempting to enter his circle without "love." He feels his sanity is gone and would rather be torn from the planet, finding the idea of release a "reward" because he is weary of a "sore heart," torn apart by the loss of family. He reflects on the superficiality of living obliviously with millions, finding it a "pity" and a "mini buzz" that ultimately leaves him feeling stuck. Life is depicted with violent imagery, having him "by the neck, with a blade against it," missing his chance ("train and missed it"). The dominant emotions are "pain and vengeance," leading him to act out like a "ragin' misfit" and embrace a "sadistic" tone in his verses. He challenges potential haters, embracing their negativity, and declares his anger will never be dismissed, suggesting a deep-seated resentment that defines his current state. Hopsin briefly mentions praying to the Lord with the Book of James, hoping for a testament, indicating a spiritual struggle or search for solace amidst his turmoil, but ultimately states that the "dark cloud" is his residence, battling internal "demons" and acknowledging that his mistakes have fundamentally changed him, leaving him not the same person when he is lost.
The pre-choruses and chorus tie these disparate struggles together under the unifying theme of being "lost." The pre-choruses, shared between the artists, reinforce the idea of manifestation – perhaps manifesting their current state or the desire for change. NF's section emphasizes learning from failure, resilience ("pick yourself back up"), and combating pessimism, acknowledging that the "high road" is often skipped when lost. Hopsin's section pushes back against being underestimated, seeks spiritual validation, accepts the presence of darkness, and notes that mistakes have left him irreparably changed when lost. The repetitive chorus featuring NF vocally encapsulates the central feeling of being lost, a simple yet powerful declaration of their state of mind. Overall, "Lost" is a deeply personal and unflinchingly honest portrayal of the internal chaos and pain that accompanies feeling lost, while also hinting, particularly in NF's verses, at the possibility of growth and the ongoing fight for self-mastery and resilience. The song validates the feelings of being lost as a difficult but perhaps necessary part of the human experience, a state from which one must grapple with their inner self and find a path forward.
