Entry #3: Song Lyric Analysis

Music speaks to us from every angle imaginable. Telling stories so we can see what the artist went through. Praising or denouncing someone else in the public forum. And some songs speak to us, literally us, the listener. The artist trying to convey a feeling, a memory, or even encourage action. But there is a carefully crafted niche where an artist is talking to themself and just given us the opportunity to listen in. That's where this song comes from.

Hope, by NF, hits on that deeply personal level where you can hear that he is talking to himself, he names himself in several lines, but this conversation is one a lot of people have had with themselves. Or maybe they need to, and he's giving us the words to say what we've felt for far too long. 

Nathan John Feuerstein is a rapper that goes by the name NF, his initials. A lot of his music deals with trauma, internal strife, and mental health issues. Unsurprisingly he has been through a great deal of these issues himself and is not ashamed to bare that out in verse. It's that openness with his own struggles that appeals to a great deal of his fan base, myself included.

For me, Hope has put into word, into form, a fight I've been having with myself for decades. Staring at my entire life saying "I'll get that moving soon.", "I'll start that project tomorrow.", This time is going to be different." Spoilers, it wasn't. In my case, it's been longer than 30 years, but the energy is the same. 

The first time I heard this song I was hooked. The first chord hit something deep and never let go. Between the beat, the lyrics, and the orchestral music I felt stunned, broken, and driven at the same time. Even sitting here listening to this song while I write this I still get that same calm drive that makes my life just a little easier. It still brings tears to my heart. Some day I really need to know that other people have made it through the darkness I have. I think we all do.

This song goes through several tone and rhythm shifts; almost like chapters of a book. There is a dynamic twist between who the speaker and audience is. There are several points where NF is clearly talking to himself, or at least the part of his past that held him back. There are a few points where it's obvious the words are coming from a younger self or others from his past. He is just giving those words a voice to tell the story.

    Now it's my turn  
    Don't get me wrong, Nate you've had a great run  
    But it's time to give the people somethin' different 

    You'll never evolve, I know I can change  
    We are not enough, we are not the same  
    You don't have the heart, you don't have the strength  
    You don't have the will, you don't have the faith  
    You'll never be loved, you'll never be safe  
    Might as well give up, not running away  
    You don't have the guts, you're the one afraid  
    I'm the one in charge  

The title of the song gives a pretty clear point of the message and purpose. NF simply puts it out there as not only evidence of his own accomplishment but also an encouragement. It's like he's holding up a banner that says "This can be done. You can have hope."

    I'm a prime example of what happens when you choose to not accept defeat and face your demons  
    Took me thirty years to realize that if you wanna get the opportunity to be the greatest version of            yourself  
    Sometimes you got to be someone you're not to hear the voice of reason  

There is a running mark of thirty years of his struggle to get where he is. Driving home just how long it took him to get out of his own darkness really gives that hope to the listener. Like so many others, this artist has been through a hard life. A victim of abuse, losing a parent to drugs, and his own struggle with mental health has shaped his music and the intent he puts behind it. This particular album took a year and a half for him to produce, held back by his OCD. So standing up after that life and giving others hope is a beautiful thing.

NF- Hope (lyrics)