The song is the brainchild of frontman Jesse Rutherford and producer Benny Blanco. “Nervous” features heavy R&B influence and washed out guitars reminiscent to their previous record "Wiped Out!"
Guitarist Zach Abels had this to say after the premiere of the track on Beats 1 with Zane Lowe:
"Um, that was actually a track that Jesse started with Benny Blanco and, yeah, he just brought it to us and it was—it was really simple. And we thought the track was really good and, you know, had a lot of potential so we just worked on it from there and made it into what it is now."
Nervous
The Neighbourhood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I confess, I'm obsessed with the surface
In the end, if I fall or if I get it all
I just hope that it's worth it
Last year I fell flat on my face
And last month I knew somethin' should change
Last week I started over again
Mhm, don't get me started
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
Should I be quiet?
Uh, come on, be silent
Uh, you know I'm tryin'
So don't say nothin'
Uh, tell me you trust me and
Kiss me and hug me, yeah
Well, I would do anything for ya
You just gotta love me and
I got an itch in my throat
I don't know which way to go
I keep on switchin', I know
I need a different approach
It's all because I wanna
Show you that I'm so capable
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, don't you say another word, be quiet
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, when you do, I just get hurt
Come on, baby, don't you hurt me anymore
I'm not the same way that I was before
I got goosebumps all over me
When you're around, hard for me to breathe
Come on, baby, don't you do that anymore
It's not like the days have never felt so short
My nerves, they give me a sign
Tell me I'm not fine, mhm
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, don't you say another word, be quiet
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, when you do, I just get hurt
Hush, baby
Hush, baby
Hush, baby
Hush, baby
The Neighbourhood's song "Nervous" is a reflection on the fear and anxiety that come with trying to please others and live up to their expectations. The lyrics describe the singer's struggle with perfectionism and the pressure it puts on them. They confess to being obsessed with appearances and worrying about whether or not their efforts will be worth it. The fear of failure is palpable as they describe falling flat on their face, feeling like they need to start over again and again.
The song also touches on the power dynamic in relationships, where one partner makes the other feel nervous and timid. The singer feels like they are not allowed to speak, move, or be themselves around this person. They long for acceptance and validation but feel like they need to contort themselves into the person their partner wants them to be. The repeated refrain of "Hush, baby, don't you say another word" creates a sense of suffocation and suppression, showing just how overpowering the fear of rejection can be.
Overall, "Nervous" is a poignant expression of the struggle to find one's own voice and identity while navigating complex social dynamics. It highlights the pressure to perform and conform that is often placed upon people, leading to anxiety and self-doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I shouldn't try to be perfect
The singer feels that they need to stop striving towards unrealistic perfection and accept their flaws.
I confess, I'm obsessed with the surface
The singer admits to being overly concerned with external appearances instead of what lies beneath the surface.
In the end, if I fall or if I get it all
I just hope that it's worth it
The singer is uncertain about whether their efforts toward perfection will pay off, whether they fail or ultimately achieve their goals.
Last year I fell flat on my face
And last month I knew somethin' should change
Last week I started over again
Ask me and I'll tell you how I've been
Mhm, don't get me started
The artist has recently experienced setbacks, undergone a process of self-reassessment, and is hesitant to recount all the details.
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
The artist is afraid to express themselves and the person they're addressing is holding them back. They feel they're being forced to change to meet someone else's expectations.
Should I be quiet?
Uh, come on, be silent
Uh, you know I'm tryin'
So don't say nothin'
The singer is struggling with whether or not to remain silent, and asks the other person to not pressure them.
Uh, tell me you trust me and
Kiss me and hug me, yeah
Well, I would do anything for ya
You just gotta love me and
I got an itch in my throat
I don't know which way to go
I keep on switchin', I know
I need a different approach
It's all because I wanna
Show you that I'm so capable
The singer asks for reassurance of the other person's trust and affection. They're feeling confused and overwhelmed, but are determined to impress the other person with their abilities.
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, when you do, I just get hurt
The artist pleads with the other person to stop talking or risk causing them emotional pain.
Come on, baby, don't you hurt me anymore
I'm not the same way that I was before
I got goosebumps all over me
When you're around, hard for me to breathe
Come on, baby, don't you do that anymore
It's not like the days have never felt so short
My nerves, they give me a sign
Tell me I'm not fine, mhm
The artist asks the other person to stop hurting them emotionally. They're experiencing physical and emotional reactions to the other's presence and need reassurance of their worth.
Hush, baby
Hush, baby
Hush, baby
Hush, baby
The artist repeats their plea for silence from the other person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benny Blanco, Brandon Alexander Fried, Frank Dukes, Jeremy Allen Freedman, Jesse J Rutherford, Lars Stalfors, Michael Blake Margott, Zach Shane Abels
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chrryflavouredd
@@tisyasharma8097
rip 2 my youth
cherry flavoured
cry baby
wiped out!
prey
void
softcore
pretty boy
#icanteven
silver lining
dust
kill us all
let it go
a little death
greetings from califournia
24/7
roll call
you get me so high
sadderdaze
middle of somewhere
yellow box
lurk
wdywfm?
afraid
alleyways
ferrari
devil's advocate
over the influence
stargazing
stuck with me
scary love
[just listen to their entire discography cause it's amazing]
@user-sb6zz4tm8l
Lyrics for you: Nervous:
Verse 1]
Maybe I shouldn't try to be perfect
I confess, I'm obsessed with the surface
In the end, if I fall or if I get it all
I just hope that it's worth it
Last year I fell flat on my face
And last month I knew somethin' should change
Last week I started over again
Ask me and I'll tell you how I've been
Mhm, don't get me started
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
[Verse 2]
Should I be quiet?
Uh, come on, be silent
Uh, you know I'm tryin'
So don't say nothin'
Uh, tell me you trust me and
Kiss me and hug me, yeah
Well, I would do anything for ya
You just gotta love me and
I got an itch in my throat
I don't know which way to go
I keep on switchin', I know
I need a different approach
It's all because I wanna
Show you that I'm so capable
[Chorus]
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
[Refrain]
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, don't you say another word, be quiet
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, when you do, I just get hurt
[Verse 3]
Come on, baby, don't you hurt me anymore
I'm not the same way that I was before
I got goosebumps all over me
When you're around, hard for me to breathe
Come on, baby, don't you do that anymore
It's not like the days have never felt so short
My nerves, they give me a sign
Tell me I'm not fine, mum
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
[Refrain]
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, don't you say another word, be quiet
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, when you do, I just get hurt
[Outro]
Hush, baby
Hush, baby
Hush, baby
Hush, baby
@gabsAfuckingA
[Verse 1]
Maybe I shouldn't try to be perfect
I confess, I'm obsessed with the surface
In the end, if I fall or if I get it all
I just hope that it's worth it
Last year I fell flat on my face
And last month I knew somethin' should change
Last week I started over again
Ask me and I'll tell you how I've been
Mhm, don't get me started
[Chorus]
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
[Verse 2]
Should I be quiet?
Uh, come on, be silent
Uh, you know I'm tryin'
So don't say nothin'
Uh, tell me you trust me and
Kiss me and hug me, yeah
Well, I would do anything for ya
You just gotta love me and
I got an itch in my throat
I don't know which way to go
I keep on switchin', I know
I need a different approach
It's all because I wanna
Show you that I'm so capable
[Chorus]
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
[Refrain]
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, don't you say another word, be quiet
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, when you do, I just get hurt
[Verse 3]
Come on, baby, don't you hurt me anymore
I'm not the same way that I was before
I got goosebumps all over me
When you're around, hard for me to breathe
Come on, baby, don't you do that anymore
It's not like the days, at night, I feel so short
My nerves, they give me a sign
Tell me I'm not fine, mhm
[Chorus]
You've got me nervous to speak
So I just won't say anything at all
I've got an urge to release
And you keep tellin' me to hold on
You've got me nervous to move
So I just won't give anything to you
You got me turnin' all around to be who you need me to
[Refrain]
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, don't you say another word, be quiet
Hush, baby, don't you say another word
Hush, baby, when you do, I just get hurt
@localfather69
you got me nervous to speak
so I just won’t say anything at all
can’t tell you how much I relate to this.
@tamedtheimpalas
same sis and ur pfp skfjsh
@848sw3
profilee
@alesiaburger4622
passionatedolans bromieomie I see
@bongwaterboy8179
yes my dude same rip
@alanazunikoff4249
same. I never talk because I always say the wrong thing.
@basicallygee
everyone here has a good taste in music
@jenniferbour4364
tuesday dolan thank you, you too❤️☺️
@Nina-ju8dk
Lana and dolans! ❤
@stanely6287
Thanks my dude