Inhale Exhale
Nao Lyrics


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Running out of luck
Take me to the church and back again
Without tripping up
Search the wild until I'm found again
If you've had enough
Use me to the fire and
I can't get enough
And I'm not going to hide
So many reasons
Why you're better off
You've seen the madness
Blind to right or wrong
I tried to put my brakes on
But I'm already lost
Lost to the madness
'Cause when I inhale, exhale
I'm back again

Glass empty or full
Quench my thirsty tongue, I'm drinking it
And I'll step off my stool
Break the rules until I'm linking them
It's me, it's not you
I can't get enough, I'm swimming in
Oceans, so can you
I'm not going to lie
It's your decision
I'm already lost
Don't try to reason
By the time I inhale, exhale
I'm back again

Lost to the fire
Heartache, madness
Find me deep in the ocean
Wild, harmless
Pull me out of the river
Heartache, sadness
Find me deep in the ocean




'Cause when I inhale, exhale
I'm back again

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of Nao's song "Inhale Exhale," the singer croons about struggling with internal conflicts and seeking refuge or solace in external surroundings. The first stanza, "Running out of luck, take me to the church and back again, without tripping up, search the wild until I'm found again," portrays an image of the singer desperately seeking a way out of her current situation, searching for answers in different places. She continues, "If you've had enough, use me to the fire, and I can't get enough, and I'm not going to hide," suggesting that her internal battles are exhausting and that she is willing to face them head-on.


In the second verse, Nao continues her search for a release from her problems, singing "Glass empty or full, quench my thirsty tongue, I'm drinking it, and I'll step off my stool, break the rules until I'm linking them." The lyrics suggest that she is willing to do whatever it takes to find inner peace, even if it means breaking the rules. She concludes the verse saying, "It's me, it's not you, I can't get enough, I'm swimming in oceans, so can you, I'm not going to lie, it's your decision," indicating that she is relying on external factors for her happiness and is inviting others to join her on her journey.


The chorus of the song, "Cause when I inhale, exhale, I'm back again," provides the central theme of the song. No matter where Nao searches for answers, she realizes that her struggles cannot be fully resolved, and she will always be back to her starting point. The bridge of the song represents the singer giving herself over to her precarious state, "Lost to the fire, heartache, madness, find me deep in the ocean, wild, harmless, pull me out of the river, heartache, sadness, find me deep in the ocean."


Line by Line Meaning

Running out of luck
I am experiencing a streak of bad fortune


Take me to the church and back again
Please help me redirect my life to a better path


Without tripping up
Without making errors or mistakes


Search the wild until I'm found again
Explore different experiences until I feel fulfilled and content once more


If you've had enough
If you are tired or exhausted


Use me to the fire and
Put me through a challenging experience


I can't get enough
I am unafraid of hardship and willing to face it


And I'm not going to hide
I am unashamed of my desires and goals


So many reasons
There are many justifications


Why you're better off
Why you are in a preferable circumstance


You've seen the madness
You have witnessed chaos and confusion


Blind to right or wrong
Unaware of moral correctness


I tried to put my brakes on
I attempted to slow down and reconsider my actions


But I'm already lost
But I am already too involved to turn back now


Lost to the madness
Trapped in the chaos and confusion


'Cause when I inhale, exhale I'm back again
No matter what happens, I will persist and continue on my journey


Glass empty or full
Are you optimistic or pessimistic?


Quench my thirsty tongue, I'm drinking it
I am indulging in life's pleasures


And I'll step off my stool
I will take risks and break out of my comfort zone


Break the rules until I'm linking them
I will bend the rules and create my own path


It's me, it's not you
My choices and actions are reflective of myself, not others


I can't get enough, I'm swimming in
I desire and actively seek out more experiences


Oceans, so can you
Will you join me in my journey?


It's your decision
The outcome is up to you


Don't try to reason
Do not attempt to change my mind


By the time I inhale, exhale I'm back again
After facing hardships and challenges, I will always persist and continue on my journey


Lost to the fire Heartache, madness
Trapped in a difficult and emotional situation


Find me deep in the ocean Wild, harmless
Discover me enjoying life's pleasures with no harm done


Pull me out of the river Heartache, sadness
Save me from a distressing and sorrowful situation


'Cause when I inhale, exhale I'm back again
No matter what happens, I will always persevere and continue my journey




Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Daniel Traynor, Neo Joshua

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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