Nervus is a British punk rock band from Watford, England, formed in 2015. T… Read Full Bio ↴Nervus is a British punk rock band from Watford, England, formed in 2015. Their music can be described as raw yet melodic, concise yet epic songs of sorrow, anxiety and regret.

In 2015 the band transitioned from the collection of promising bedroom demos of Em Foster to a band with the addition of Watford based musicians Paul (keys, vocals), Karl (bass) and Jack (drums). The unit wrote and recorded “Permanent Rainbow” at Watford’s own Titan Studios (home of Gallows, Lower Than Atlantis, Krokodil).

The songs are emotional and honest reflections of personal struggles with relationships, alcohol and gender identity.

With Permanent Rainbow, NERVUS made an album for those who demand honesty and authenticity in their music. Those who avoid such things prepare to be made uncomfortable.

‘Permanent Rainbow’ is available with a digital download on pink rainbow splatter vinyl in limited quantity from 04.11.16 as a collaborative effort between Venn Records and The LP Cafe.

https://nervus.bandcamp.com/

I Can't Dance
Nervus Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We arrived in good time
Said goodnight and sang goodbye
I drove home
Beat the clock
Skipped my seven years bad luck

I can't dance but if you ask me I'd try
You'll regret it but that's life

I forget but the scars are alive
Makes it harder to reconcile

When strings pull me away
And home is you
I find comfort in pencils and chemicals
When you're in my veins
I can't stay away
As much as I grow
I can't let you go

But I try
I can try
If I try I'll get it right
And I try
I can try
If I try I'll get it right

Before light you arise
Leave before I realise
I get bored check the clock
Breathe it in and turn it off

I can't dance but if you ask me I'd try
You'll regret it but that's life
I forget but the scars are alive
Makes it harder to reconcile

When strings pull me away
And home is you
I find comfort in pencils and chemicals
When you're in my veins
I can't stay away
As much as I grow
I can't let you go

But I try
I can try
If I try I'll get it right
But I try
I can try
If I try I'll get it right

When you're in my veins
I can't stay away

As much as I grow
I can't let you go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nervus's song "I Can't Dance" convey a sense of longing, conflict, and internal struggle within a relationship. The singer describes arriving home alone after parting ways with their partner, symbolically beating the clock and avoiding misfortune. The lyrics suggest a sense of urgency and a desire to escape negative energy that may bring bad luck. This opening verse sets the tone for a narrative of emotional complexity and inner turmoil.

The singer confesses, "I can't dance but if you ask me I'd try," implying a willingness to step out of their comfort zone for the sake of their relationship. Despite foreseeing potential regret, they are compelled to make an effort, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of life. The scars of past experiences linger, complicating the process of healing and moving forward. The struggle to reconcile conflicting emotions and memories adds depth to the singer's introspection.

The recurring motif of being pulled away by "strings" suggests a sense of being controlled or influenced by external forces, possibly referring to the partner's influence on the singer. Home is portrayed as a comforting but potentially constraining presence, contrasting with the solace found in creative outlets like "pencils and chemicals." The imagery of the partner being in the singer's veins evokes a deep, intense connection that is difficult to resist, despite the personal growth and evolving circumstances.

The refrain of "But I try, I can try, If I try I'll get it right" captures the singer's determination to navigate the complexities of their emotions and relationships. The repeated emphasis on trying reflects a sense of perseverance and hope for a positive outcome, even in the face of uncertainty. The final lines, "When you're in my veins, I can't stay away, As much as I grow, I can't let you go," encapsulate the enduring pull of love and attachment, highlighting the struggle between holding on and letting go. Overall, the lyrics of "I Can't Dance" poignantly depict the internal conflict and emotional vulnerability experienced in a turbulent relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

We arrived in good time
We got here early

Said goodnight and sang goodbye
Bid farewell with a song

I drove home
I headed back

Beat the clock
Completed in time

Skipped my seven years bad luck
Avoided misfortune

Before light you arise
You wake up early

Leave before I realise
You leave without me noticing

I get bored check the clock
I check the time out of boredom

Breathe it in and turn it off
Take a breath and switch it off

When you're in my veins
When I feel your presence deeply

I can't stay away
I can't distance myself