I would say it is more like he is speaking to God, and while he is emotionally or maybe intellectually reaching out, he has not yet opened up to allow change, because of the emotional barriers that he erected around and within himself. This is followed up in Happy, where he is praying, apologizing for not talking to God in too long (years?), and at the end, realizing that he has to open up and allow change to achieve happiness.
I think it’s very interesting that this is how he chose to end the album as well. My most recent theory (hear me out) is that the Hope song is almost a direct response to this song. With Trauma, he’s saying ‘I hold you so proudly’ and although his catalogue seems quite depressing, it’s always been quite hopeful. He also says ‘why haven’t you found me yet?’ which is putting the blame on who he’s addressing rather than taking it himself, as this album ends in a defeated tone as if it’s out of his hands at this point. Now, the beginning of hope’s tone is very similar to the tone of trauma (ignoring clouds as it was a mixtape and not an official album) Hope seems to pick up right where the search left off. Then Hope himself shows up saying Nate has been blaming him for 30 years while he dragged his feet. Calling himself out for not taking action sooner and just playing the victim. Hope also is depicted for the first time as we know him today as wearing all white in the middle of the ocean. I interpret that as a correlation with the lyrics of trauma ‘grab my hand I’m drowning’ as he’s begging for help. And hope shows up on a raft and saves Nate from drowning as nate’s voice is literally being drowned out in the plea to Hope in the beginning of the Hope track. Sorry for the long comment, just wanted to put that out there. Keep up the good work, thank you for the reactions!
Good theory! Mine was similar. Trauma could be a conversation with Running. This is Pride/Fear talking to Nate. “I hope you so proudly”. They realize that Nate is getting ready to leave them behind. But reading some of the other theories, I think I'm wrong!
Earlier in the album we had the song Nate, which was older NF talking to the kid NF. Some people feel this song is kid NF t!talking to older NF. Call back to Let you down with "grab my hand I'm drowning".
I agree with this, also when he says I hold u so proudlywhy don't u just love me back. It's him saying he holds him self so close and proud of what he has done but still don't feel loved or happy, as said in I HATE MYSELF
He personifies his ‘demons’ like trauma, fear, hope etc. I feel like this is a dialogue between himself and ‘trauma’ to reachout for eachother to accept eachother. In stead of battling one another.
4:17 Speaking of Christianity not being a fix all, I remember when I went to an NF concert and there was a street preacher outside of the entrance. At first he was just doing the typical Jesus died on the cross for you, repent and your sins will be forgiven, which is cool. But then he started talking about how NF’s music is demonic and evil. He then went to say “I bet 95% of you here are depressed because you listen to this music.” And then he said, “if NF was really a Christian, he wouldn’t still be dealing with his problems. Come to Jesus and repent, and all your depression will leave!” I had a problem with him saying this for sure because it’s definitely false. For one, NF’s music is 100% not demonic and evil and Christianity does not make all problems just disappear, that’s just not how it works and it doesn’t make people perfect. Just like NF says in “Therapy Session.” “Christian is not the definition of a perfect me.” Anyways, just wanted to tell that story because this part reminded me of it.
This is why picking a church is not an easy task. Jesus is the way to heaven, not a building or a preacher. I’ve been to many churches. Some I have been 4 or 5 times and felt nothing. Some I have cried as grown man because of God speaking to me through the preacher about my life at that moment.
The street preacher saying NF's music being demonic is very dumb, and very judgmental by his part (unjustified) as it speaks about NF's traumas, yet he still values God, as Christians should despite the hardships that come with it. However, from my own experience with finding God, I have come to know depression, anxiety, etc. does indeed come from demons. I used to struggle with it, and it felt like an incurable disease, and I had an emptiness in my heart despite everything I did. When I left atheism and finally, truly found God, all these things went away. The demons in my heart were replaced by the holy spirit. The only difference here is, again, NF speaks about his traumas rather than just thoughts and feelings.
This song changes everytime I hear it and as reactors are always coming up with more insights. Wow. Just thought that maybe it's actually HOPE(his embodiment) singing to Nate to let him know he's been drowning it in TRAUMA... it wants to give him what he's praying for and THE SEARCH has shown Nate what's keeping him from HOPE.
I think in the a way the person speaking is in fact his trauma itself. The search album was like NF facing, dealing with, and trying to heal from his trauma and considering this is one of the last songs on the album I think this is like his trauma talking back to him. I think he might have personified that feeling when your healing but almost like a child grabbing your shirt trauma doesn't want you to leave. Or rather, it doesn't want it to leave YOU. That's just the way I've seen it though of course I could be wrong, but I thought the title being called trauma was very telling and I looked for deeper meaning in that
To me, this sounds like he's calling out to Jesus. "Grab my hand I'm drowning" that's Peter when he decided to step out in the water. "Why haven't you found me?" Nate is again talking to Jesus as He is the Good Shepard who leaves the 99 to find the one who strayed off from the herd. "Traumas, they surround me" he's reaching out to Jesus again, "come to Me all who are weary, and I will give you rest". This is just my theory but it's also how I heard the song and what my mind went to.
Man just found you guys look at NF reactions. Watched every one back to back. Now I got to subscribe because I can’t miss the next 2 albums. Loves how he’s obviously completely out of genre of music but yet he gets it. Except for completely getting distracted by the people in the white suits 🥲🤣
In this song it’s really Nate talking to God… now I need to listen to this song and really look at myself scrolling on social media or watching Pxrn etc…
if Nate was talking to God, he would've said "why haven't I found you yet" rather than "why haven't you found me yet". I believe he's talking more about happiness and hope, especially considering the album is about searching for hope.
Okay so back in the search when he's singing that song He's talkin the hope he could be talking to God but I think he's talking to Hope asking why hope hasn't found him yet cuz he's drowning
I think it would be great if you could turn on the transcription because I can barely understand your third guy (producer?). Would be very kind! (I am german.) ❤
To me, he is talking to HOPE. Freedom. Happiness. Take your pick.
I would say it is more like he is speaking to God, and while he is emotionally or maybe intellectually reaching out, he has not yet opened up to allow change, because of the emotional barriers that he erected around and within himself. This is followed up in Happy, where he is praying, apologizing for not talking to God in too long (years?), and at the end, realizing that he has to open up and allow change to achieve happiness.
I think it’s very interesting that this is how he chose to end the album as well. My most recent theory (hear me out) is that the Hope song is almost a direct response to this song. With Trauma, he’s saying ‘I hold you so proudly’ and although his catalogue seems quite depressing, it’s always been quite hopeful. He also says ‘why haven’t you found me yet?’ which is putting the blame on who he’s addressing rather than taking it himself, as this album ends in a defeated tone as if it’s out of his hands at this point. Now, the beginning of hope’s tone is very similar to the tone of trauma (ignoring clouds as it was a mixtape and not an official album) Hope seems to pick up right where the search left off. Then Hope himself shows up saying Nate has been blaming him for 30 years while he dragged his feet. Calling himself out for not taking action sooner and just playing the victim. Hope also is depicted for the first time as we know him today as wearing all white in the middle of the ocean. I interpret that as a correlation with the lyrics of trauma ‘grab my hand I’m drowning’ as he’s begging for help. And hope shows up on a raft and saves Nate from drowning as nate’s voice is literally being drowned out in the plea to Hope in the beginning of the Hope track. Sorry for the long comment, just wanted to put that out there. Keep up the good work, thank you for the reactions!
Good theory! Mine was similar. Trauma could be a conversation with Running. This is Pride/Fear talking to Nate. “I hope you so proudly”. They realize that Nate is getting ready to leave them behind. But reading some of the other theories, I think I'm wrong!
Great insight! I agree 💯
Earlier in the album we had the song Nate, which was older NF talking to the kid NF. Some people feel this song is kid NF t!talking to older NF. Call back to Let you down with "grab my hand I'm drowning".
I agree with this, also when he says I hold u so proudlywhy don't u just love me back. It's him saying he holds him self so close and proud of what he has done but still don't feel loved or happy, as said in I HATE MYSELF
Interesting! I've had many theories, but this might the best one yet.
He personifies his ‘demons’ like trauma, fear, hope etc. I feel like this is a dialogue between himself and ‘trauma’ to reachout for eachother to accept eachother. In stead of battling one another.
4:17 Speaking of Christianity not being a fix all, I remember when I went to an NF concert and there was a street preacher outside of the entrance. At first he was just doing the typical Jesus died on the cross for you, repent and your sins will be forgiven, which is cool. But then he started talking about how NF’s music is demonic and evil. He then went to say “I bet 95% of you here are depressed because you listen to this music.” And then he said, “if NF was really a Christian, he wouldn’t still be dealing with his problems. Come to Jesus and repent, and all your depression will leave!” I had a problem with him saying this for sure because it’s definitely false. For one, NF’s music is 100% not demonic and evil and Christianity does not make all problems just disappear, that’s just not how it works and it doesn’t make people perfect. Just like NF says in “Therapy Session.” “Christian is not the definition of a perfect me.”
Anyways, just wanted to tell that story because this part reminded me of it.
This is why picking a church is not an easy task. Jesus is the way to heaven, not a building or a preacher. I’ve been to many churches. Some I have been 4 or 5 times and felt nothing. Some I have cried as grown man because of God speaking to me through the preacher about my life at that moment.
The street preacher saying NF's music being demonic is very dumb, and very judgmental by his part (unjustified) as it speaks about NF's traumas, yet he still values God, as Christians should despite the hardships that come with it. However, from my own experience with finding God, I have come to know depression, anxiety, etc. does indeed come from demons. I used to struggle with it, and it felt like an incurable disease, and I had an emptiness in my heart despite everything I did. When I left atheism and finally, truly found God, all these things went away. The demons in my heart were replaced by the holy spirit. The only difference here is, again, NF speaks about his traumas rather than just thoughts and feelings.
Man, I'm gonna keep saying this, I'm SUPER excited for JP to get to the "Hope" album!
Same ❤
This song changes everytime I hear it and as reactors are always coming up with more insights. Wow. Just thought that maybe it's actually HOPE(his embodiment) singing to Nate to let him know he's been drowning it in TRAUMA... it wants to give him what he's praying for and THE SEARCH has shown Nate what's keeping him from HOPE.
It could be HOPE I think it's hope at the end of leave me alone.
The guy that looks like santa might be the most understanding person I've seen
Knowing Nate and his emotions and every single song I think it was the sad part of them not anger not regret it was a sad part of them talking to Hope
I think in the a way the person speaking is in fact his trauma itself. The search album was like NF facing, dealing with, and trying to heal from his trauma and considering this is one of the last songs on the album I think this is like his trauma talking back to him. I think he might have personified that feeling when your healing but almost like a child grabbing your shirt trauma doesn't want you to leave. Or rather, it doesn't want it to leave YOU. That's just the way I've seen it though of course I could be wrong, but I thought the title being called trauma was very telling and I looked for deeper meaning in that
The album is called 'The Search' and the last line is "Why haven't you found me yet?"
It's just so perfect.
Such a relatable song
Thank you so much!! JP’s analysis and counseling perspective has been so helpful to hear. It has really been impactful. Thank you
Love it guys as always! Thank you can’t wait for the next one
To me, this sounds like he's calling out to Jesus. "Grab my hand I'm drowning" that's Peter when he decided to step out in the water. "Why haven't you found me?" Nate is again talking to Jesus as He is the Good Shepard who leaves the 99 to find the one who strayed off from the herd. "Traumas, they surround me" he's reaching out to Jesus again, "come to Me all who are weary, and I will give you rest". This is just my theory but it's also how I heard the song and what my mind went to.
Man just found you guys look at NF reactions. Watched every one back to back. Now I got to subscribe because I can’t miss the next 2 albums. Loves how he’s obviously completely out of genre of music but yet he gets it. Except for completely getting distracted by the people in the white suits 🥲🤣
You guys are awesome! Thanks you keep up the good fight and good work!
It’s HOPE. The whole album is him searching for Hope.
I think he's talking to GOD like "happy". Could be talking to himself. Either way amazing ❤🙏
Hope freedom
Also connects to let me down video where he was drowning in front of his older self
In this song it’s really Nate talking to God… now I need to listen to this song and really look at myself scrolling on social media or watching Pxrn etc…
if Nate was talking to God, he would've said "why haven't I found you yet" rather than "why haven't you found me yet". I believe he's talking more about happiness and hope, especially considering the album is about searching for hope.
One of his best and saddest.
I think he’s talking to Hope. The Search says he’s looking for the map to Hope. Now he’s wondering why Hope hasn’t found Him yet.
Okay so back in the search when he's singing that song He's talkin the hope he could be talking to God but I think he's talking to Hope asking why hope hasn't found him yet cuz he's drowning
It sounds exactly like he’s dealing with a narcissist. The emotional manipulation is all there. He’s talking to his abuser.
❤
I think it would be great if you could turn on the transcription because I can barely understand your third guy (producer?). Would be very kind! (I am german.) ❤
I feel like he's either talking to another version himself or God
considering Nate is a Christian, I heavily doubt it. It wouldn't make any sense because this song would be describing the opposite of who God is.