Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo met in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the ages of 12 at a summer camp for musicians, which they both disliked. They spent their free time making beats and performing in groups with fellow childhood friend Timbaland. Shay Haley began performing with Williams and Hugo in high school. After watching the duo perform at a high school talent show, Teddy Riley, a musician and producer, signed Williams and Hugo in 1992. After producing songs for several artists throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the production duo formed N.E.R.D in 2001 as a side project.
Sooner or Later
N.E.R.D Lyrics
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Crushing down (crushing down)
When everyone's around
I bet you would've paid up or you'll cash down (you'll cash down)
And not make a sound (to make a sound)
Everyone knows now
(So you're sad)
You couldn't see her leaving
(You were gassed)
And that's sucks don't it cause
God yanked the rug and holding your heart will not help you breathe
Sooner or later it all comes crushing down (crushing down),
Crushing down (crushing down)
When everyone's around
I bet you would've paid up or you'll cash down (you'll cash down)
And not make a sound (to make a sound)
Everyone knows now
It all some crushing down
It's over believe it
It's over believe it
It's over believe it
It's over believe it
(So you're sad)
And you should own it and you fucked up (Damn)
You thought that you were the team
(You were gassed)
And now you're a opponent who wears your gloves (Damn)
A nightmare just ate up your dreams
Sooner or later it all comes crushing down (crushing down),
Crushing down (crushing down)
When everyone's around
I bet you would've paid up or you'll cash down (you'll cash down)
And not make a sound (to make a sound)
Everyone knows now
It all some crushing down
It's over believe it
It's over believe it
It's over believe it
It's over believe it
(So you're sad)
Could have had so much done you blew it off (Damn)
Your chance is passing you by
(You were gassed)
Time waits for no one
And it cost for a lost
Because made joke should you laugh or cry
Sooner or later it all comes crushing down (crushing down),
Crushing down (crushing down)
When everyone's around
I bet you would've paid up or you'll cash down (you'll cash down)
And not make a sound (to make a sound)
Everyone knows now
It all some crushing down
It's over believe it
It's over believe it
It's over believe it
It's over believe it
The lyrics to N.E.R.D.'s song Sooner or Later speak to the inevitability of consequences that come with mistakes and bad decisions. The chorus emphasizes the idea that ultimately, everything will come crashing down and everyone will know the truth. The verse continues to expand on this theme by discussing the sadness that comes with losing love and committing errors. It also touches on the concept of being gassed - feeling overly confident and then being defeated. The bridge reminds us that time waits for no one and the cost of lost opportunities can make us feel like we're caught in between wanting to laugh or cry.
The use of repetition in the chorus and bridge create a sense of urgency and inevitability, as if the consequences are already in motion and just waiting to come to fruition. The lyrics are straightforward in their message but are enhanced by a lively beat and Pharrell Williams' distinct vocal style.
Overall, Sooner or Later is a cautionary tale about the importance of taking responsibility for our mistakes and recognizing that eventually, the truth will come out.
Line by Line Meaning
Sooner or later it all comes crushing down (crushing down)
No matter when or how, everything falls apart eventually
Crushing down (crushing down)
Collapsing or failing catastrophically
When everyone's around
In the presence of others
I bet you would've paid up or you'll cash down (you'll cash down)
You would have been willing to pay the price or suffer the consequences
And not make a sound (to make a sound)
Without making any noise or protest
Everyone knows now
The situation is public knowledge
(So you're sad)
You are feeling down and defeated
About the moment you lost your love (Damn)
You regret the exact moment your relationship ended
You couldn't see her leaving
You were too blinded or naive to anticipate the breakup
(You were gassed)
You were too arrogant or overconfident
And that's sucks don't it cause
Unfortunately, this is a terrible experience
God yanked the rug and holding your heart will not help you breathe
You were suddenly and irreversibly stripped of your security, and no amount of emotional attachment will make it easier to cope
It all some crushing down
Everything has completely fallen apart
It's over believe it
Accept the fact that it's finished
(So you're sad)
You are feeling down and defeated
And you should own it and you fucked up (Damn)
You need to take responsibility for your mistakes
You thought that you were the team
You believed that your relationship was invincible and unbreakable
(You were gassed)
You were too arrogant or overconfident
And now you're a opponent who wears your gloves (Damn)
Your former partner is now a fierce competitor whom you underestimated
A nightmare just ate up your dreams
Your worst fears and realities have swallowed up your aspirations and hopes
Could have had so much done you blew it off (Damn)
You had so much potential and opportunities but you foolishly rejected them
Your chance is passing you by
You are quickly losing your opportunity to make things right
(You were gassed)
You were too arrogant or overconfident
Time waits for no one
There is no pause or delay in the progression of time
And it cost for a lost
There are consequences for wasted time and opportunities
Because made joke should you laugh or cry
It's uncertain whether to respond to your situation with laughter or tears
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: DAVID ARCHULETA, JEREMY BOSE, ROBERT MARVIN, JOY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aninditakhrisna87
Comin here because of RM. what a great song!
@haneenkook6269
Me too😊
@13days13
Did RM shout NERD out recently? that’s ill. not enough people appreciate how influential but cool this band was. Pharrell and Chad Hugo are under appreciated visionaries. RM def knows what he’s talking about, their conversation from a few years ago is tight too.
@royal1dyr
2024. Been listening to N.E.R.D. For decades.
Never noticed Bobby Light at the end😂😂😂😂😂
@TeeRellis
2024 🖐🏾
@onton8364
THIS SONG HAS THE MOST SATISFYING DROP I EVER HEARD
@mercedesbenzodiazapine
FOR REAL! i keep skipping back!
@inspectahpuje7433
oh look who it is listening to your silly lil band
@squid5841
the most underappreciated n.e.r.d. song
@semperfidelis1550
That guitar riffing at the end was EPIC!…🔥🔥🔥