nhs by slowthai Lyrics Meaning – An Ode to Life’s Paradoxes and the Power of Resilience
Lyrics
I was in my head, feelin’ dead, feelin’ microwaved
I was on the strip with the kids playin’ Simon Says
Tyron jumped the bridge, would you do the same?
Same old shit, just another day
I was in my head, feelin’ dead, feelin’ microwaved
I was on the strip with the kids playin’ Simon Says
Tyron jumped the bridge, would you do the same?
It always rains when it’s sunny, never have too much money
Always had the bum knee, you will always be chubby
If you suck in your tummy when you’re starin’ at the mirror
In your eyes you kill the flicker, serial killer
What’s a sandwich to a dinner?
What’s a feather to a mattress?
What’s a Punto to a Bimmer?
What’s an actor with no actress?
What’s a bedroom to a mansion?
What’s a bullet with no handgun?
We want ’em all until we have them, happier with rations
Stone skimmers, day dreamers, nitpickers, misleaders, mistreat us
Even though they need us, Ike, Tina’s, fight sequence
My demons pry feelings, die dreaming
No glass ceiling, try peelin’ back layers to find meaning
Revealing what you’re given is all you’re needing
Try breathing, you might find freedom
Instead of squeezing up your buttocks tryna hold the shit in
Same old shit, just another day (you know what I mean shitbag)
I was in my head, feelin’ dead, feelin’ microwaved
I was on the strip with the kids playin’ Simon Says (fucking shitbag)
Tyron jumped the bridge, would you do the same?
Same old shit, just another day
I was in my head, feelin’ dead, feelin’ microwaved (sweet one)
I was on the strip with the kids playin’ Simon Says
Tyron jumped the bridge, would you do the same? (NHS, this one is for the NHS, yea)
Jack the lad, only happy when they clap (NHS)
Good with the bad, I’m happy being sad
Say less, why you stressed?
Thinkin’ what’s next gonna make you depressed
All the best shit’s got scratches on the surface
What’s a flight without turbulence?
A life without circumstance?
Boxing without another stance?
Country with no coat of arms?
Estate with no dogs that bark?
A club with no cunts, who laugh at people tryna have a laugh?
What’s life if we all get along?
No people tryna do you wrong?
What’s knickers without frilly thongs?
Good music without silly songs?
Abusers with no sober mums?
Screaming, say you’re doing wrong
What’s love without hate and stuff?
Loyalty without no trust?
Rick without Morty? Lil Wayne without codeine?
A rapper without jewelry? Real person, surely
What’s health without poorly?
What’s wealth without the poor? Please
The world we’re living in, I’m tryna give you reassurance
Same old shit, just another day
I was in my head, feelin’ dead, feelin’ microwaved (such a fucking happy song)
I was on the strip with the kids playin’ Simon Says
Tyron jumped the bridge, would you do the same?
Same old shit, just another day
I was in my head, feelin’ dead, feelin’ microwaved
I was on the strip with the kids playin’ Simon Says
Tyron jumped the bridge, would you do the same?
Same old shit, just another day (it’s the same old shit)
I was in my head, feelin’ dead, feelin’ microwaved (it’s another fucking day)
I was on the strip with the kids playin’ Simon Says (why I stayed precious)
Tyron jumped the bridge, would you do the same? (slapped out of it, smile)
In his song ‘nhs’, slowthai crafts a somber yet undeniably impactful tune that elicits a deep introspection on the fragility and intricacies of the human condition. As he delves into the daily grind and existential ruminations, the track is a wistful narrative layered with candid poignancy and stark realism.
Blending the mundane with the profound, slowthai uses ‘nhs’ to ponder life’s relentless cycle, the dichotomies that define our existence, and ultimately, the resilience required to embrace what we have. It’s a raw reflection on the National Health Service during a tumultuous era, but also serves as a larger commentary on society, appreciation, and self-awareness.
Life on Repeat: Delving Into the Daily Slog
The song opens with an admittance of fatigue and a feeling of being ‘microwaved,’ a metaphor encapsulating the lethargic, overheated malaise that oozes from life’s repetitive nature. slowthai juxtaposes this personal numbness with the playful imagery of children on the street, a stark contrast that captures the duality of existence – the vibrance of youth shadowed by the ennui of adulthood.
Invoking the character Tyron, possibly a self-referential nod to his real name, he speaks to the ledge of decision we all face – following the crowd or making our own path. More than an observation, it’s an existential question, an underlying challenge posed to the listener about life’s lemming-like march towards conformity.
The Underlying Symphony of Contrasts
Through a series of rhetorical questions, slowthai dissects the nature of yearning and the voids that seem to abound in modern life. Each line juxtaposes one thing with another, further deepening the song’s central theme of contrasts and the constant human quest for more – a Punto for a Beimmer, an actor with no actress, the facade of satisfaction against true fulfillment.
The song’s essence is revealed in its rawness, asking listeners to question what makes life meaningful. By equating stone skimmers and daydreamers with nitpickers and misleaders, slowthai blurs the lines between whimsical escapism and the stark realities that disrupt our idyllic visions.
Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling of Existence
Metaphorically shattering barriers, ‘nhs’ revels in the revelation that true freedom lies in appreciating what we have at hand. slowthai peels back layers to highlight a fundamental truth – stripping down existence to its core reveals that one’s current provisions are often enough to cultivate satisfaction.
This section of the song acts as an antidote to the toxic cycle of always wanting more, offering a powerful commentary on contentment. The imagery of ‘glass ceiling’ and ‘back layers’ presents a vivid invitation to uncover a deeper understanding of life’s essence.
Embracing the Wabi-Sabi of Life
The Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi finds beauty in imperfection, and ‘nhs’ resonates with this sentiment. slowthai recognizes that the most treasured aspects of life come marked with ‘scratches on the surface.’ Indeed, the ideal is often chipped, dented, and far from pristine, suggesting that authenticity is marred yet invaluable.
slowthai articulates that turbulence, struggle, and contention are what give life its texture. The song is a poetic acknowledgment that the dichotomies and imperfections are not merely obstacles but are intrinsic to the human experience – from ‘knickers without frilly thongs’ to life’s love-hate dynamics.
Reassurance in a World of Dichotomies
Through a cascade of antithetical concepts, slowthai shines a light on the antipodes of life. His words serve as a reminder that existence is a blend of highs and lows, and within those extremes, there is a balance to be struck. The recognition of life’s polarities provides an unexpected source of comfort, culminating in ‘tryna give you reassurance’.
The title ‘nhs’ itself, a reference to the UK’s National Health Service – a beacon of care and support through life’s inevitable ailments – is mirrored in the song’s mission to provide solace amid chaos and confusion. It’s a subdued yet blaring siren that calls for acceptance and understanding of life’s inbuilt contradictions.
