It’s about my perception, but if you look at the cover, for example, it could be from anyone in the world. The whole story behind the cover describes me. You see me in a cell with the keys in my hand, but the doors are still locked. I deliberately chose the cover because it describes the lives of many people, but especially mine. I had terrible problems in my life and I knew that I had the ability to handle them but not how to do it. Therefore, the picture fits well with the keys and locked doors.
NF via Rap.De
Most of the time I feel stupid of the things I am going through, I blame myself for them, I attack myself for not been free but the mad part of all is I hear myself tell me “I don’t know how to, I don’t know what to do, I am tired”. It just NF described Perception to be “I am locked in a cage with the keys in my hand, all I have to do is open the door and be free” – me.
Mistakes are a part of the journey, just don’t let them sit in the front seat.
NF via Universal Music
Intro III
On “Intro III,” NF talks about his old fears and describes the changes he has made to conquer them. At the end of the track, NF realizes that he can’t fully destroy his fear, because it is the root of most of his problems.
NF described the track as the second part of 2015 title track, “Mansion” and how it’s a continuation of the third verse, which dealt with fear. “Intro III” was first announced through NF’s Twitter account, then confirmed by his song, “Outro.”
Listen to Intro III, trying to kill my fear
NF
They’ll get that in a minute
In an Instagram Live, NF described that “Intro III” was the hardest song he has ever attempted to write, taking him over two weeks to finish the song.
I saved intro 3 for the album… its one of the best songs I feel like I’ve ever written. I honestly was shaking in the studio when I recorded INTRO III…. so real for me.
NF: via Twitter
Lyrics
What, are you scared of me? That’s embarassin’
If it wasn’t for me, you would’ve never wrote Therapy
I’ve been here for you, but how come you’re never there for me?
It’s a little bit twisted, but I miss when you and I had scary dreams – Fear
I don’t really wanna talk about it! – NF
Well, that’s too bad now, Nate – Fear
Shut up! – NF
Now, where were we?
Well, back in the day when
You and I had it all mapped out in the basement
Cryin’ in your room like a baby – Fear
“I wish mom was here!” – NF
We all do so we wouldn’t have to hear about it every single record
You don’t really wanna change me
Yeah, I’m the one that made this happen
Do you really wanna get rid of your main attraction?
Let’s pack our bags and go back to Gladwin now
Yeah, it’s time for the third record
And you know I got the content
I don’t wanna make you nervous
But it ain’t like it used to be, we got a lotta people watchin’
You told me that you don’t want me in your life, that’s pretty hard to digest
And I told you I’d leave when we die, and we ain’t died yet
Therapy Session was beautiful, Nate, but I’m wonderin’ what’s comin’ next
Yeah, get that stupid hat off of your head when I’m talkin’ to you, you hear what I said?
You don’t like the prison I built you?
Yeah, you wanna know what the funny thing is?
You keep on talkin’ to me like a stranger
But we’ve been together since you were a kid (Kid), yeah
Took us from a no-name
Told you everything was okay
Now you tryna cut me out of it like I ain’t never been a part of it
I am the heart of it, I made this whole thing
Yeah, I put us on the dope stage, you must have no brain
What’s the point of having guns if you can’t aim?
What’s the point of havin’ blood with no veins?
What’s the point of havin’ love with no pain?
What I’m sayin’ is me without you doesn’t make any sense
I know I’m intense and controlling, but you need to learn how to cope with it, that’s just the way that it is
If you didn’t want me to live in your house, you shouldn’t have let me move in
It’s comfortable here and I like it, I got my own room and everything, it don’t get better than this
You say you wanna own your life, then wake up and take your own advice
You just mad ’cause you know I’m right
Yeah, I’m flattered you put me in Mansion, but you shoulda told ’em right
Hold your hands on the coldest nights
You didn’t tell ’em ’bout the times you and I used to hold the mic
I mean, what are you, outta your mind?
‘Cause both of us will be, come on, let’s go outside!
Is this what you wanted?
Both of us out in the open? Let’s do it then!
I mean, why are you doin’ this?
I know that you’re mad (That you’re mad), but I’m not in the mood for this
We got a record to drop (Drop)
So why you actin’ like I’m not a part of it? – Fear
Aye, where is my shovel at? – NF
Prolly out back where it always is
You can’t get rid of all of me!
I’m the reason why— – Fear
Nah, shut up, I don’t wanna hear another sentence – NF
Hey, I’m NF
“Is it me or the fear talkin’?” Ha! What a dumb question!
Yeah, it’s real music ’til the day we die, right?
Yeah, ain’t that the slogan, Nathan? – Fear
Thought I told you to keep your mouth shut – NF
I mean, so what? You know I never listen
Let me guess: we gon’ dig a hole, kill the track and prolly put a beat in it
Rap about it for like three minutes
Ayy, that’s pretty deep, isn’t it?
Wait a minute, you don’t really think for a second that you’re puttin’ me in this? – Fear
No, of course not, just a little deeper then we’ll go inside and we can stop diggin’ – NF
(Woo) You had me scared for a second, I thought we were diggin’ my grave – Fear
*thunk*
We did, what, you don’t like bein’ afraid?
Here’s a dose of your own medicine
What, you don’t like how it tastes?
My therapist told me don’t bury my issues, but I’ma be honest, man, I’m feelin’ great! (Great)
I think it’s only right we go back to where you were created
I wrote a song for Johnny without you, but he ain’t gon’ like it, let’s see how he takes it (Takes it)
He probably don’t even remember us, does he?
I wish I was buryin’ anger
But both of us know I’ma need him for that song (That song), he still lives in the basement
Almost done, shoulda done this a year ago, I don’t know why I waited
You know how I get, I put everything off in my personal life, you hear what I’m sayin’? (Sayin’)
That was a joke (Joke), yeah, it’s hilarious, ain’t it?
You’ll spend the rest of your life in my backyard or back of my mind—depends how you see it
Put the shovel away, time to go back in the house now, you’ll be out in a week
Tellin’ me you want your room back, that’s funny; what? You ain’t got nowhere to sleep?
I’ma just look out the window and laugh at you, this is crazy to me
‘Cause I thought you had me in prison this whole time, but I’m the one holdin’ the keys (Holdin’ the keys, holdin’ the keys, holdin’ the keys)
Fear & NF
Outcast
On “Outcast,” NF shows us he doesn’t want to fit in with anyone in the rap industry and will pursue his own style.
NF tweeted out a photo, featuring a sketch of him surrounded by the lyrics to the song.
Lyrics
Woke up in the cell, where am I at?
Yeah, it’s cold, but I like that
What am I, trapped?
Heart’s beating out of my chest
Door’s locked, but the keys are in my hands
Hmm, yeah, that’s weird, it doesn’t make sense, does it?
…
Life’s like a merry-go-round
And I’m still tryna figure it out
I like space, I don’t fit in the crowds
My whole life I’ve been airin’ it out
Oh, I’m gettin’ into character now
Feels wrong, but it feels right
My feelings seal tight real nice
But I will fight anything to win
But I’m not Mike Tyson, I won’t bite ya
But I will tell you if I don’t like you
I am not the norm
I got my own shoes, I ain’t tryna fit in yours
I never been married, but I’ve felt divorced
Verse 1
I’m high off the music, my head’s in the clouds
I kinda like it up here; I am not comin’ down
I’d rather be alone, I am not good in crowds
Which is kinda confusin’, I know—been that way since a child
They laugh and they tell me I’ll never get out
I’m just tryna be me, I am nobody else
I don’t care what you think, I’m just bein’ myself
So I guess for now
Pre-Chorus
I’ll just be the outcast
I’ll just be the outcast
I’ll just be the outcast
I guess I’ll be the outcast
Chorus
10 Feet Down
On “10 Feet Down,” NF talks about his life after gaining popularity, and how people often want to get to the top so bad that they forget why they even did it in the first place.
Lyrics
efil elohw ym ylraen nwod teef neT
Intro
Yeah, I know the person in the mirror’s not a perfect one
I look at him every day and think he’s not enough
My life’s a book that I don’t really like to open up
I’m twenty-six, but I feel like I live in chapter one
I skim through it, I’ve been through it, they laugh at us
You think it’s funny, yeah, laugh it up
I always felt like no one listened to me, that’s how I grew up
Church is where I found God, but it’s also where I learned to judge
Yeah, I had to learn there’s a difference between
What you want, and what you really need
I’ve always been motivated by comments from people tellin’ me things they think I’ll never be
And then I become it, this is my everything
There’s so much that goes on in my head that people will never see
You probably be terrified of my memories, don’t lecture me
Let me be, let me see, let me breathe, how they remember me
Doesn’t alter who I am as a person to take my energy, yeah
Verse 1
Hard days, cold nights
Staring down at an empty cup like
I’ma fill, I’ma fill it up
All day, all night
Ten feet down nearly my whole life
But I’ll be rising, rising up
Sthgin dloC
Chorus: Ruelle
Yeah, my fans made me who I am, but they also deceived me
I’ve been allowed to live life like I’m already grieving
I’m at a table of liars but don’t eat what they feed me
My hoodie over my face, so nobody can see me
I’m on a plane, ’bout to fly again
Looking out the window, take a moment to admire it
Wondering how high it is, wonder where the time has went
Then I shut the window and go back to feeling like I’m out my mind again, agh!
Yeah, seems like we’re all trying to climb a ladder
It’s crazy what we’ll do to climb it faster
It’s like we throw away the things in life that really matter
Just so we can make it to the top and wonder what we’re even climbing after
I know the feeling of feeling like everything that you deal with
Don’t never change, that’s part of being a human, yeah
Life’s what you make of it, take it, embrace it, and take it, and savor it
Ain’t about what you did, it’s what you became from it, agh!
Verse 2
We all want what we never had
The good life doesn’t seem so bad
The good life doesn’t seem so sad
Yeah, we all want what we never had, whoa
Bridge: Ruelle
Dreams
On “Dreams,” NF reflects on many sad days, feelings of regret, relationships with tight friends and just doing himself.
Lyrics
Yeah, most of my life’s full of sad days
Verse 1
Started at a young age
Yeah, bought a house but I’ve been livin’ on stage
Tryna find the real me, I ain’t found it yet
Wake up every morning feelin’ like I’m guilty
Talk to God, “Can You hear me?”
Lately, I’m a mess
I don’t want no one to help me
Yeah, I don’t want no one to help me
If you think that I make decisions based off of what you think, then you’re wrong
Can’t nobody think for me, I got my own thoughts
Sometimes you don’t know what you had until it’s all gone, till it’s all gone
If I took the hand that was dealt me then I would be nowhere in life
Yeah, I had to think smart
Threw away the deck and got my own cards
Long before I had the money to afford a car
Pre-Chorus 1
Most of my life’s full of regrets
Things I wanna take back, yeah
Wrote you a letter, wish that I had never sent that
Didn’t even make sense, I don’t even know
All I know is I get lower on the weekends
They tell me I should make friends, I just sit at home
Lately, I’ve been off the deep end, yeah
I’ve been off the deep end
Verse 2
If you think that I’m ’bout to change who I am just for you then you’re so wrong
As a kid I built a house around my broke heart
Sometimes you don’t know what you had until it falls apart, till it falls apart
If I took the hand that was dealt me then I would be nowhere in life
Yeah, I had to think smart
Threw away the deck and got my own cards
Long before I had the money to afford a car
Pre-Chorus 2
Let you Down
On “Let You Down,” NF laments the struggles he had earlier in his life, and looking back at himself he felt like he “let himself down.” He said this about this track:
I mean, all my music’s pretty personal, but for this song specifically, kinda got two meanings for me. I’m kind of like, a perfectionist, and so I feel like I constantly am letting myself down, like nothing’s ever good enough…but also, just kind of growing up as a kid, feeling like I wasn’t really listened to, or my voice wasn’t really worth much. So, this song kind of has several meanings for me, but, a lot of my music has a lot of different meanings for, you know, different parts of my life.
NF (Genius.com)
Lyrics
Yeah, I guess I’m a disappointment, doin’ everything I can
I don’t wanna make you disappointed, it’s annoying
I just wanna make you feel like everything I ever do
Was never tryna make an issue for you, but I guess the more you
Thought about everything you were never even wrong
In the first place, right? Yeah, I’ma just ignore you
Walking towards you with my head down
Lookin’ at the ground, I’m embarrassed for you
Paranoia, what did I do wrong this time?
That’s parents for you
Very loyal? Shoulda had my back
But you put a knife in it—my hands are full
What else should I carry for you?
I cared for you, but…
Verse 1
Feels like we’re on the edge right now
I wish that I could say I’m proud
I’m sorry that I let you down
Let you down
All these voices in my head get loud
I wish that I could shut them out
I’m sorry that I let you down
Le-le-let you down
Chorus
Yeah, you don’t wanna make this work
You just wanna make this worse
Want me to listen to you, but you don’t ever hear my words
You don’t wanna know my hurt, yeah
Let me guess, you want an apology, probably
How can we keep going at a rate like this?
We can’t, so I guess I’ma have to leave
Please, don’t come after me
I just wanna be alone right now, I don’t really wanna think at all
Go ahead, just drink it off
Both know you’re gonna call tomorrow like nothing’s wrong
Ain’t that what you always do?
I feel like every time I talk to you, you’re in an awful mood
What else can I offer you?
There’s nothing left right now, I gave it all to you
Verse 2
Yeah, don’t talk down to me
Verse 3
That’s not gonna work now
Packed all my clothes and I moved out
I don’t even wanna go to your house
Every time I sit on that couch
I feel like you lecture me, eventually, I bet that we
Coulda made this work
And prolly woulda figured things out
But I guess I’m a letdown
But it’s cool, I checked out
Oh, you wanna be friends now?
Okay, let’s put my fake face on and pretend now
Sit around and talk about the good times that didn’t even happen
I mean, why are you laughing?
Must have missed that joke, let me see if I can find a reaction
No, but at least you’re happy
Yeah, I’m sorry
I’m so sorry now
Yeah, I’m sorry that I let you down
Outro
Destiny
On “Destiny,” NF raps about the want to fulfill his destiny, how he’s rising to the top, and how he focuses on the negative. The track was first previewed on his Instagram. The lyrics were the same but the beat was slightly changed.
Lyrics
I talk to God like, “What’s next for me?”
I’m just fulfillin’ my destiny (destiny)
Fulfillin’ my destiny, yeah
I talk to God like, “What’s next for me?”
I’m just fulfillin’ my destiny (destiny)
I’m just fulfillin’ my destiny, yeah!
Intro
I told y’all I’m a psycho
Ain’t no tellin’ what I might do, yeah
Doubt put his hands around my throat, so I cut ’em off
That’s what you get for steppin’ on my toes
At the top of the key, that’s an iso
…
Yeah, they said, “Wait until your time comes”
Nope! Time’s up
…
Yeah, you never know what you can do until you try it, ah!
…
What good is the body, man, if you ain’t got the head with it?
Since a kid I’ve been a pessimist
I like to focus on the negatives, oh Lord!
Verse 1
Yeah, you try to take advantage of me before you die, you’ll be dead to me (all day!)
Before you die, you’ll be dead to me
Laugh when they question me, y’all ain’t no threat to me, yeah
Pre-Chorus
IF you Want Love
On “If You Want Love,” NF talks about the essentials of love, and how it takes going through the struggles and hardships in life and willingness to learn change to gain a sense of true love for yourself and from the people around you.
NF has touched base with what revolves around love before. In fact, this is similar to an older song, “Thing Called Love.” The slow-paced ballad, guitar chords and harmonizing in the background give off a relaxed vibe.
Lyrics
If you want love, you gon’ have to go through the pain
If you want love, you gon’ have to learn how to change
If you want trust, you gon’ have to give some away
If you want love, if you want love
Chorus
I just need some time, I’m tryna think straight
I just need a moment in my own space
Ask me how I’m doin’, I say “okay,” yeah
But ain’t that what we all say?
Sometimes I think back to the old days
In the pointless conversations with the old me
Yeah, back when my momma used to hold me
I wish somebody woulda told me
Verse 1
Yeah, as a kid I used to think life
Is moving so slow, I watch it go by
Look out the window on my bus ride
I thought the world was so small, through my closed eyes
I’ve always tried to control things
In the end that’s what controls me
Maybe that’s why I’m controllin’
I wish somebody woulda told me
Verse 2
The older I get, I feel like I’m always tryna save time
Talkin’ to the voices in my head, they make me think twice
Tellin’ me it doesn’t mean it’s wrong because it feels right
I’m scared that one day I’ll wake up and wonder where’d the time go
Talk about the past like it’s the present while I rock slow
I’ll sit in the living room and laugh with kids of my own
And tell ’em
Verse 3
If you want love, you gon’ have to go through the pain
I wish you woulda told me
If you want love, you gon’ have to learn how to change
I wish somebody woulda told me
If you want trust, you gon’ have to give some away
You gon’ have to give
If you want love, if you want love
If you want love, if you want love
Chorus
Remember This
On “Remember This,” NF talks about growing in his music, many struggles in life and living for a reason in life. Originally known as “Angels,” this track was first teased on Instagram twice, sharing a different beat and hook.
The main theme of the song is about how you shouldn’t let people decide what you do with your life and that you need to make your own choices in life. He’s saying not to go with the crowd, rather you should strive to be yourself, not what society wants us to become.
Lyrics
Yeah, they say when you grow up
“You’ll understand when you’re older”
Guess I’m still a kid, I don’t know if
If I’ll ever let go of this (Yeah)
Say goodbye to the old me
We ain’t friends anymore, you don’t know me (Real music)
I know I could die any moment
If I do, just remember this
Chorus
Yeah, handouts create lazy people I’m not impressed with
You want something in life, then why don’t you go and get it?
Actions speak louder than words do—it’s pretty quiet, isn’t it?
Look at the world we live in, defined by comment sections (Woah)
Surround yourself with people that challenge how you think
Not people that nod their head and act like they agree
Those people will cut you open just to watch you bleed
Always be yourself, not the person that you pretend to be, no!
These people gon’ tell you that you won’t ever make it
Then when you do, they gon’ say they knew you were goin’ places
That’s just how it works, next thing you know you’ll be overrated
Hearing people say they miss the old you—it’s crazy, ain’t it?
And perfect people don’t exist, so don’t pretend to be one
I don’t need pats on the back from people for my achievements
When I die I wanna know that I lived for a reason
Anyone can take your life, but not what you believe in, no!
Verse1
Yeah, don’t take opinions from people that won’t listen to yours
If money’s where you find happiness, you’ll always be poor
If you don’t like the job you have, then what do you do it for?
The cure to pain isn’t something you buy at liquor stores, nah
The real you is not defined by the size of your office
The real you is who you are when ain’t nobody watchin’
You spend your whole life worried about what’s in your wallet
For what? That money won’t show up in your coffin, woo!
Yeah, anger’s a liar, he ain’t got no respect
I fell in love with my pain and I slept with my regrets
Happiness saw it happen, maybe that’s why she up and left
Joy called me a cheater, said she ain’t coming back
I’ve always had a problem with relationships
But that’s what happens when you see the world through a broken lens
Mistakes can make you grow, that doesn’t mean you’re friends
Who you are is up to you, don’t leave it up to them, no
Verse 2
I heard that life’s too short, don’t let it pass you by
Verse 3
We waste a lot of time crying over wasted time
It’s not about what people think, it’s how you feel inside
My biggest failures in life are knowing I never tried, woo!
I look at the world from a different angle
People change, even Satan used to be an angel
Think twice before you’re bitin’ on the hand that made you
Don’t believe what you believe just ’cause that’s how they raised you
Think your own thoughts, don’t let them do it for you
Say you want a drink, don’t wait for people to pour it on you
Cut out the liars, stay close to people you know are loyal
Grab your own glass and fill it, don’t let your fear destroy you, woo!
Know
On “Know,” NF raps about showing love for family, not rapping for money and sharing struggles in his life. The beat and flow of this track is great but most of all is the Pre-chorus. I know the track was mostly talking about his career but the pre-chorus hits me differently.
Lyrics
I wanna know what it’s like to be happy
I wanna know what it’s like to wake up in the morning and feel like it’s real when I’m laughin’ (Yeah!)
I wanna know what it’s like to sit down with my friends and feel like they might understand me (Woo!)
I wanna know that the people around me care less about Grammys and more about family
Pre-Chorus
Listen to the full Perception album on Spotify
