NF - WHY Lyrics
Lyrics
Intro
Too many faces, too many faces, too many faces
Verse
Yeah, what's your definition of success? (ayy!)
I don't trust the thoughts that come inside my head (woo!)
I don't trust this thing that beats inside my chest
Who I am and who I wanna be cannot connect; why?
Don't think I deserve it? You get no respect (woo!)
I just made a couple mil', still not impressed
Let You Down goes triple platinum, yeah, okay, okay, I guess (ayy!)
Smile for a moment then these questions startin' to fill my head, not again!
I push away the people that I love the most; why? (woo!)
I don't want no one to know I'm vulnerable; why? (woo!)
That makes me feel weak and so uncomfortable; why? (ayy!)
Stop askin' me questions, I just wanna feel alive
Until I die??"this isn't Nate's flow (woo!)
Just let me rhyme; I'm in disguise
I'm a busy person, got no time for lies; one of a kind
They don't see it; I pull out they eyes; I'm on the rise!
I've been doin' this for most my life with no advice (woo!)
Take my chances, I just roll the dice, do what I like
As a kid, I was afraid of heights, put that aside
Now I'm here and they look so surprised, well so am I, woo!
They don't invite me to the parties but I still arrive
Kick down the door and then I go inside
Give off that "I do not belong here" vibe
Then take the keys right off the counter, let's go for a ride
Why do y'all look mortified? (ayy!)
I keep to myself, they think I'm sorta shy, organized
Let You Down's the only song you've heard of? Well then you're behind (woo!)
Story time; wish that I could think like Big Sean does, but I just can't decide (aah!)
If I should stick my knife inside of Pennywise
I, I don't care what anybody else thinks??"lies (haha!)
I do not need nobody to help me??"lies
I kinda feel guilty 'cause I'm wealthy; why?
I don't understand, it's got me questionin' like, "Why?
Just tell me why"??"not back to this flow
Inside I feel divided
Back when I ain't had a dime, but had the drive
Back before I ever signed, I questioned life, like, "Who am I, man?" Woo!
Nothin' to me's ever good enough
I could be workin' for twenty-four hours a day and think I never did enough
My life is a movie but there ain't no tellin' what you're gonna see in my cinema (no!)
I wanna be great but I get in the way of myself and I think about everything that I could never be
Why do I do it though? Ayy, yeah
Why you always lookin' aggravated?
Not a choice, you know I had to make it
When they talk about the greatest, they gon' probably never put us in the conversation
Like somethin' then I gotta take it
Write somethin' then I might erase it
I love it, then I really hate it
What's the problem, Nathan? I don't know!
I know I like to preach to always be yourself (yeah)
But my emotions make me feel like I am someone else
Me and pride had made a pact that we don't need no help
Which feels like I'm at war inside myself but I forgot the shells
I hold my issues up for all to see, like show and tell
A lot of people know me, but not a lot know me well
Hold my issues up for all to see, like show and tell
A lot of people know me, but they don't know me well
Outro
Too many faces, too many faces, too many faces
Video
NF - WHY
Meaning & Inspiration
NF's "WHY," released on June 18, 2018, is a raw and unflinching exploration of self-doubt and the constant struggle against inner turmoil, presented through the lens of an artist grappling with his faith and purpose. While the song doesn't explicitly frame itself as Christian music, its profound wrestling with questions of worthiness and the search for validation resonates deeply with biblical themes of humility, reliance on a higher power, and the battle against pride. The core of "WHY" seems to be a direct confrontation with the very essence of existence and the drive to prove oneself, a sentiment that echoes the anxieties of many who feel the weight of expectation or the sting of past failures. NF's lyrical journey delves into the relentless questioning of his actions and motivations, a self-examination that, when viewed through a spiritual framework, can be seen as a process of purification or a plea for divine clarity.
The recurring question of "why" can be interpreted as a cry out for understanding in a world that often feels chaotic and demanding, mirroring the disciples' own moments of bewilderment when Jesus taught challenging truths. Consider the Apostle Paul's own admission in Romans 7:15, "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I hate," a passage that captures the internal conflict NF articulates so powerfully. This internal wrestling speaks to the human condition, the persistent battle against a sinful nature that seeks to pull us away from righteousness. The song's intensity, the palpable frustration in NF's delivery, can be understood as a reflection of spiritual warfare, the unseen conflict described in Ephesians 6:12, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
NF’s exploration of needing external validation and feeling the pressure to be perfect aligns with the biblical understanding that true security and worth come not from human approval, but from God's unchanging love and acceptance. The temptation to seek significance in worldly achievements or the opinions of others is a common snare, one that Jesus warned against when he said in Matthew 6:1, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will receive no reward from your Father who is in heaven." The song's examination of this drive can be seen as a confession of that very tendency, a recognition that true fulfillment is not found in boasting or in the accolades of men, but in a humble submission to God's will. Furthermore, the relentless self-criticism and the feeling of not being enough can be countered by the assurance found in 1 John 3:20, which states, "For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." This verse offers a powerful counterpoint to the song’s internal dialogue, reminding believers that while we may struggle with self-condemnation, God's perspective and forgiveness are infinitely greater. Ultimately, "WHY" serves as a compelling testament to the ongoing journey of faith, where questioning and struggle are not signs of weakness, but rather the very crucible in which a deeper reliance on God is forged.