Currently based in London, Nathan now performs as a solo artist and will be at several UK summer festivals in 2009, including Small World, Sunrise Celebration, Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Fiddler's Green Folk Festival, Big Green Gathering, Broadstairs Folk Week and Buddhafield.
Nathan's EP “Footprints” will be released on 14 June 2009 at The Green Note Cafe, Camden.
For news, further info and lyrics: http://www.nathanball.com
All or Nothing
Nathan Ball Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel it pulsing through my veins
But help me out, I′m feeling strange
But it's all inside my head
But it′s all, yeah it's all, yeah it's all, yeah it′s all
In my head
It′s all or nothing for a while, for a while
Make me proud, just make me proud
I just sit in silence
Looking down, looking down
I′ll be alright
I'll be alright
So show me how to stay awake
′Cause when I close my eyes it's you there
And that′s the point, I see your face
But it's all inside my head
But it's all, yeah it′s all, yeah it′s all, yeah it's all
In my head
And I know, and I know, and I know, and I know
In my head
It′s all or nothing for a while, for a while
I hear your voice it's screaming
Make me proud, just make me proud
I just sit in silence
Looking down, looking down
I′ll be alright
I'll be alright
Because we go running round
Keeping out of sight
You′re the reason I can't sleep at night
But I just survive to keep you in mind
When we hold back tears for the fifteenth time
'Round and ′round
Keeping out of sight
You′re the reason I can't sleep at night
But I just survive to keep you in mind
And we go round and round and round and round again
And round again
It′s all or nothing for a while, for a while
I hear your voice it's screaming
Make me proud, just make me proud
I just sit in silence
Looking down, looking down
I′ll be alright
I'll be alright
Nathan Ball's song "All or Nothing" speaks about a person struggling to stay awake and deal with the emotions running through their veins. They feel strange and need help to work through the feeling inside their head. The person hears a voice telling them to be proud and make them happy, but they can only remain silent, looking down. They know that they will be alright, but right now, they need someone to show them how to stay awake because when they close their eyes, they can only see the face of the person they are missing.
The lyrics reveal that the person is struggling with a relationship that is causing them distress, preventing them from feeling alive. The relationship has become stagnant, and they keep going around in circles. They are trying to keep the relationship out of sight, but it remains a significant source of pain for them, leading to sleepless nights. They keep surviving to keep the other person in their mind, even though it is affecting them negatively. In the end, the person knows they will be alright, but for the moment, the relationship is consuming them.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me how to stay awake
Nathan is seeking guidance to stay alert and mindful.
I feel it pulsing through my veins
He senses a strong emotion that energizes him.
But help me out, I′m feeling strange
He is reaching out for assistance in dealing with a confusing or uncomfortable sensation.
But it's all inside my head
Nathan acknowledges that the source of his distress is mental rather than physical.
But it′s all, yeah it's all, yeah it's all, yeah it′s all
The constant repetition signifies his preoccupation with his thoughts.
In my head
The root of his problem is in his mind.
It's all or nothing for a while, for a while
Nathan's decision-making is binary, and he recognizes that this approach is temporary.
I hear your voice it's screaming
He is emotionally invested in the words and opinions of another person.
Make me proud, just make me proud
Nathan wants to impress the person he reveres, even if they aren't present.
I just sit in silence
He is pensive but unresponsive to his emotions.
Looking down, looking down
He adopts a posture of defeat or contemplation.
I′ll be alright
Nathan believes that he will recover and overcome his inner turmoil.
Because we go running round
Nathan describes how he and the person he admires avoid direct confrontations.
Keeping out of sight
Both Nathan and the person he is describing avoid being visible or exposed.
You′re the reason I can't sleep at night
The person he admires is the cause of his persistent anxiety.
But I just survive to keep you in mind
He endures to maintain his fondness for that individual.
When we hold back tears for the fifteenth time
Their relationship is fraught with complexity and pain.
'Round and ′round
Nathan feels stuck in an exhausting, repetitive cycle.
And I know, and I know, and I know, and I know
He has come to a significant realization about his situation.
In my head
He acknowledges that the truth is still internal.
And we go round and round and round and round again
He repeats the same patterns of behavior with the person he admires.
And round again
He anticipates continuing this trend.
Writer(s): Max Alexander Radford, Nathan Mark Ball
Contributed by Grace E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dea Haska
This song brings joy when i listen to it, found you from Spotify 👊
moman
Genuinely surprised at the low views. Thought this song would mainstream by now. Quality tune.
mont.
So surprised this song never went viral.. thought it would be the one the put him in the spotlight
Sincerely not yours,
I cannot wait for your big break. For now, you’re just our pretty little secret ✨ Keep making beautiful music.
hannah
this song is so beautiful! i'm happy i discovered your music :)
wigster25
Superb track, loving the tempo. Getting a War on drugs feel through it which is never a bad thing. Brilliant!
Jamie
omg this is soo beautiful and perfect and please never stop making music
Steven Cox
Brilliant song. Only discovered it this week. Been on repeat in my car
LuisGomune
This is so sick! <3 I love this AMAZING tune (:
Marcela Garcia
This is just what I needed 💕