Nerves Of Steel
Cornwell Hugh Lyrics


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In the middle of the day
When things don't go your way
And when life starts to bite
And it don't turn out right
And your top is spinning round
Far along the open ground
Then you have to hang on tight
Or you'll be blown from sight
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel
It takes nerves of steel
In the middle of the night
If the stars ain't bright
And you wonder till the dawn
Why you feel so forlorn
And you know that you are lost
You never count the cost
Of all the mistakes you made
And all the games you played
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel
It takes nerves of steel
In the middle of your life
When you're staring at the knife
And you're near the cutting edge
Close enough to make a wedge
But you know it ain't enough
Even though you hate the stuff
It's a sweet and bitter pill
But after all it's only real
How does it feel
How does it feel




How does it feel
It takes nerves of steel

Overall Meaning

The song "Nerves of Steel" by Cornwell Hugh is an introspective and contemplative piece that delves into the struggles of life and the need for mental toughness to withstand its challenges. The song presents three distinct scenarios where an individual might feel lost, helpless or on edge. The first verse talks about daytime struggles that can make one feel overwhelmed and out of control, leading to a feeling of being blown away if one doesn't keep a foothold. The second verse addresses the silent, lonely nights where the weight of the world seems too much to bear, and despite past mistakes, one must soldier on. The final verse deals with the midlife crisis when one is staring at the edge, trying to find a reason to carry on, yet acknowledging that despite the unpleasantness, one must continue to face life.


The recurring chorus, "How does it feel, How does it feel, How does it feel, It takes nerves of steel," emphasizes the need for mental fortitude, bravery, and resilience to overcome life's hardships. The song is an ode to mental health and highlights the importance of inner strength to pull through life's darker moments.


Line by Line Meaning

In the middle of the day
When life seems challenging and complicated.


When things don't go your way
When your plans do not work out as expected.


And when life starts to bite
When life becomes tough and painful.


And it don't turn out right
When things go wrong, and your efforts fail.


And your top is spinning round
When your thoughts and emotions are overwhelming and chaotic.


Far along the open ground
When you are lost and alone in a vast, empty space.


Then you have to hang on tight
You must hold on tightly to endure.


Or you'll be blown from sight
Otherwise, you will lose yourself or get destroyed by the difficulties.


How does it feel
What does it seem like to face these challenges?


It takes nerves of steel
You require a lot of bravery and resiliency to handle these problems.


In the middle of the night
When you are battling with your inner demons in solitude.


If the stars ain't bright
When everything appears gloomy and hopeless.


And you wonder till the dawn
When you are unsure if you will make it through the night.


Why you feel so forlorn
When you feel abandoned and helpless.


And you know that you are lost
When you feel like you are directionless.


You never count the cost
When you do not think about the consequences of your mistakes and foolish acts.


Of all the mistakes you made
The negative outcome of all your wrong decisions.


And all the games you played
Your attempts to manipulate or deceive others for personal gain.


When you're staring at the knife
When you are confronting a dangerous or difficult challenge that could wound or destroy you.


And you're near the cutting edge
When you are on the threshold of something that could result in a significant change.


Close enough to make a wedge
When you get close to making a choice that leads to a division or conflict.


But you know it ain't enough
You realize that something more is necessary to overcome the challenge.


Even though you hate the stuff
Even if you despise the process or the solution.


It's a sweet and bitter pill
It is a remedy for your situation that has both positive and negative consequences.


But after all, it's only real
However, it is the actuality that you must face and accept.


How does it feel
What emotions and experiences come with this situation?


It takes nerves of steel
You need a lot of courage and determination to endure.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HUGH CORNWELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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