Only by NF Lyrics Meaning – A Deep Dive into the Anthem of Isolation
Lyrics
I can’t be the only
Yeah, does anybody feel like me?
Show of hands, I don’t need a lot, I just wanna find my peace
Yeah, why you throwin’ rocks, oh, you wanna kill my dreams?
Okay, tell me everything I’m not
You think I didn’t know those things?
Always been a little lost and I still might be
Life’s hard, but it’s okay (okay)
Watchin’ the comments feels like I’m at a court date
How could I complain
With a house like this and a car like that in the driveway?
Half of what I say
Kinda feels like a dream that I’m gonna wake from someday
Wishin’ that I’d pray
A little more often and put more time into my faith
Travel in my brain, woo, might find damage and no grace
Things that I hold on to, but I won’t say things that I won’t let go
So I chain my soul to the heartbreak
Havin’ a nice day, that’s not a average in my case
Stones like cameras in my face, glamour, it’s all fake
Love my job, but it might seem odd that I’m here ’cause I hate fame
Yeah, pay my debt to me, throwin’ threats at me
They can’t tell this connectin’ me, it’s affectin’ me
Hide that well, they’ll write checks to me, but don’t check on me
By myself, always questioning what comes next for me (no)
I can’t be the only
I can’t be the only one who’s lonely tonight
No, I can’t be the only
Yeah, if you made a list of people that you trusted
Would you put your name down?
Do you know who you are?
When you look at life and you talk about yours, do you feel proud?
Are you leaving a mark, or scared to make a bad impression
So you just go hide in the dark
Livin’ and playin’ a part, knowin’ regret’ll come back tomorrow
That’s what it does, ain’t it? Don’t know what we’re chasin’
But we all do it, just a part of life, I guess we’re all foolish
Running after what we think will make us happy ’til it falls through
And then we find out later it ain’t what we wanted
So we give up on it, then we pile the garbage
And we watch it grow and find a drug and numb it
‘Til we hit the point that we can barely function
Am I motivated? Is my music dated?
Would I be the same if I was medicated?
Even therapists say I need medication
I avoid it, though, because I’m scared to take it
Am I the only one that has a loaded gun
That’s full of doubts and memories to overcome?
And I complain about ’em when they shoot at me
But I know truthfully I like to load ’em up and let ’em
That’s so sad to see, that’s so sad to see, I need help
They talk passively, then come after me by myself
Lost that half of me, God, there has to be someone else
Don’t feel bad for me, I just can’t believe that I’m lonely
No, I can’t be the only one who’s lonely tonight
No, I can’t be the only
There’s gotta be somebody out there
There’s gotta be somebody somewhere
That needs company, and it’s comforting to know (know, know)
There’s gotta be somebody out there
There’s gotta be somebody somewhere
That needs company, and it’s comforting to know
I can’t be the only one who’s lonely tonight
No, I (I) can’t be the only (only)
Can’t be the only one who’s lonely tonight
No, I (I) can’t be the only
NF, known for his raw and impassioned lyrics, strikes a heart-wrenching chord with his song ‘Only’. This track is an unguarded confession, a laying bare of the soul that resonates with the universal feeling of loneliness. It’s a portrait painted with the brushes of existential angst and introspective candor, where NF challenges listeners to confront their own solitary battles.
A closer look into ‘Only’ reveals a complex narrative, a dialogue with self and society that unpacks the burdens of fame, the search for peace, and the yearning for genuine connection. It’s this multifaceted exploration that elevates the song beyond a mere cry of distress into a poetic manifesto for all silent sufferers.
When the Echo Chamber Amplifies Isolation
Caught in the limelight’s unyielding glare, NF describes the paradox of being both celebrated and secluded. The lyric ‘Watching the comments feels like I’m at a court date’ paints a vivid picture of public scrutiny, hinting that each piece of external validation is tainted by the loneliness that fame often brings. He is alone in the crowd, dissected by judgment, all while reveling in the success that ironically deepens his isolation.
The artist confides in his audience, admitting to the fragility of his contentment and questionably glamorous lifestyle. What appears to be an enviable dream is in fact a veil behind which the existential dread lurks, suggesting that material wealth is a poor substitute for emotional fulfillment.
Mirror on the Wall: NF’s Confrontation with Self Trust
In a world where trust is a scarce commodity, ‘Only’ prompts a profound introspection on self-reliance and identity with the question, ‘Would you put your name down?’ It’s an inquiry that dives into the very essence of self-reflection, compelling listeners to examine their own sense of trust in themselves and their intentions.
The song beckons listeners to reflect on the role they play in their own narrative, wrestling with the discomfort of hiding one’s true self. NF emphasizes the weight of our choices and our fears of leaving a less-than-remarkable mark on the world, crafting a message that reverberates with anyone who is grappling with their self-worth and place in society.
The Hamster Wheel of Happiness in ‘Only’
In his relentless pursuit of happiness, NF illustrates the human tendency to chase ephemeral pleasures, only to be left feeling unfulfilled and discarded. The cycle of desire and disappointment is a familiar maze where what we once longed for becomes the trash of tomorrow, a sentiment encapsulated in the song’s reflection on the futility of material and superficial gains.
Using evocative language, NF delves into the act of self-medication to numb the pain of existence, challenging the listener to confront their own coping mechanisms and the ephemeral solutions to life’s persistent throes.
Unpacking ‘Only’s’ Powerful Verses on Mental Health Stigma
In a society that tends to skirt around the topic of mental health, ‘Only’ pierces through the veil by addressing NF’s personal trepidations regarding therapy and medication. His vulnerability manifests in acknowledging his fears of pharmacological treatment, exposing the stigma and complexities surrounding mental health management.
This segment of the song speaks to the common struggle of recognizing when assistance is necessary and the internal battle between accepting help and fearing its implications. NF’s raw honesty serves as both a confessional and a beacon for those silently wrestling with similar doubts.
The Hidden Meaning Behind ‘Only’s’ Call for Companionship
Toward the song’s conclusion, NF departs from the litany of personal struggles to reach out to the collective. He calls upon those who share the same journey through loneliness, offering a sense of solidarity and the comforting truth that no one is completely alone in their struggle.
In the ultimate reveal, ‘Only’ isn’t just an exploration of NF’s own heartache; it’s an anthem for the unseen, the unheard, the ones aching for recognition and understanding. As the song ties itself to the listener’s own narrative, it extols the unspoken fellowship that exists among all who wrestle with their demons in solitude.
