Afraid
Nelly Furtado Lyrics


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Uh, what they say, what they say, what they say
What they say, what they say, what they say

You speak out, all you feel is defiance
All you need is some self-reliance
'Cause this world is gonna always try us
And all you wanted was to run for cover
Well here's looking to yourself and no other
We're all searching for that special something
And we keep on running

We all have the choice to take the lead or follow
I want to feel the light shine on me (me)

You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it

You wanna spread your wings but you're not sure
Don't wanna leave your comforts, wanna find a cure
We're afraid of who we see in the mirror
We wanna let go but it feels too pure
Who wants to be alone in this world
You look around and all you see is hurt
But the light it always finds us
If we move with a little trust

We all have the choice to take the lead or follow
I want to feel the light shine on me (me)

You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it

A diamond don't define what shine is
I don't need a Rolex to know what the time is
You got yours let me find what mine in
I'm a survivor look how strong my mind is
I stand on my own it's all me
Regardless of whatever they call me
I'm a leader not a follower
And I'd rather be paid and popular
Ride homie get your dollars up
We're in the belly of the beast that already swallowed us

It's the end of the world and we know it
(Oh, oh, oh)
It's the end of the world
(Oh, oh, oh)
And we know it

You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it

You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)

You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human




You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it

Overall Meaning

The song "Afraid" by Nelly Furtado is an inspiring message to anyone who's ever felt the fear of judgment from others. She communicates that people will always have something to say, but ultimately it's up to us to choose whether we let it affect us or not. The lyrics start with acknowledging the constant noise around us and how easy it is to succumb to it. However, she encourages us to have the courage to stand in our own truth and be self-reliant.


Nelly Furtado sings about the vulnerability that comes with stepping outside of our comfort zones and taking risks. The fear of being seen and criticized prevent us from fully spreading our wings, but she reminds us that letting go can be liberating. She emphasizes that we are all searching for something special and that we should keep running towards it despite the obstacles. In the end, she encourages us to be our own leaders and not worry about the labels people give us but instead focus on our own light and shine.


Overall, "Afraid" is a song that speaks to a universal theme of overcoming fear and self-doubt. It inspires listeners to embrace their authentic self, stand in their own light, and not let other people's opinions dictate their lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Uh, what they say, what they say, what they say
People are talking, and it's making me nervous and anxious.


You speak out, all you feel is defiance
When you stand up for yourself, you feel resistant to negative influences.


All you need is some self-reliance
Believe in yourself and rely on your own abilities to overcome obstacles.


'Cause this world is gonna always try us
The world will continue to present us with challenges to test our strength and resilience.


And all you wanted was to run for cover
You feel vulnerable and want to hide from the pressures of society.


Well here's looking to yourself and no other
To overcome your fears, depend only on yourself.


We're all searching for that special something
We are all seeking something unique and fulfilling in our lives.


And we keep on running
We are constantly moving forward in our pursuit of our goals and dreams.


We all have the choice to take the lead or follow
We are responsible for deciding whether to be leaders or followers in life.


I want to feel the light shine on me (me)
I want to achieve success and be recognized for my accomplishments.


You're so afraid of what people might say
You are scared of what others might think or say about you.


But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
It's perfectly fine to have fears and doubts, as everyone experiences them as a human being.


You'll soon get strong enough
With time and effort, you will build up the courage to face your fears and overcome them.


You wanna spread your wings but you're not sure
You desire to take risks and pursue your aspirations, but you are uncertain of the outcome.


Don't wanna leave your comforts, wanna find a cure
You don't want to leave your familiar and comfortable surroundings, but you're looking for a solution to your problems.


We're afraid of who we see in the mirror
We fear looking at ourselves and confronting our flaws and insecurities.


We wanna let go but it feels too pure
We desire to release our worries and fears, but it seems too unfamiliar and difficult to do so.


Who wants to be alone in this world
Nobody wants to feel isolated or disconnected from others in society.


You look around and all you see is hurt
When you look at the world, you see pain and suffering everywhere.


But the light it always finds us
Hope and positivity will always find a way to shine through the darkness in life.


If we move with a little trust
By having faith and confidence, we can move forward in life and accomplish our goals.


A diamond don't define what shine is
The true measure of brightness and brilliance is not defined by material possessions like diamonds.


I don't need a Rolex to know what the time is
I don't need luxurious items to gauge the passage of time or the value of my life.


You got yours let me find what mine in
You may have found something that makes you happy, but I need to discover my own path in life.


I'm a survivor look how strong my mind is
I am a resilient person, as evidenced by the strength of my mind and willpower.


I stand on my own it's all me
I rely solely on myself to achieve success and overcome adversity.


Regardless of whatever they call me
Regardless of the labels or names others give me, I will not be affected and will continue to persevere.


I'm a leader not a follower
I pursue my own unique path in life and do not conform blindly to the opinions of others.


And I'd rather be paid and popular
I would prefer to be successful and recognized for my abilities and accomplishments.


Ride homie get your dollars up
Focus on making money and advancing yourself, my friend.


We're in the belly of the beast that already swallowed us
We are currently in a difficult situation that has already consumed us.


It's the end of the world and we know it (Oh, oh, oh)
We are aware that the world is in a very challenging state and facing significant problems.


And we know it
We are aware of our current circumstances.


You're going to break, so please don't do it
Your fears and anxieties may become overwhelming, but please don't give up.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Nelly Furtado, Nate Hills, Timothy Mosley, Tim Clayton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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