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In My Blood by Shawn Mendes: Lyrics Meaning and Interpretation

Shawn Mendes is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He is a youth icon and has a huge social media following. He became the youngest male artist to feature on Billboard 200 with an astonishing 4 studio albums, with his fourth album “Wonder”. All of his albums have won major awards with many songs being on billboard top charts.

The song “In My Blood” is from Mendes’ third album. The song caused a stir in the music industry, with a nomination at the Grammys. It won at the Teen Choice Awards and June Awards of 2019. In my blood lyrics meaning is quite intense, contrasting the beats and the music. The younger audience loved the song, and it became a part of both intense and pop playlists.

What Does the Title Mean?

In My Blood is an interesting title for a song. The title means that the song is about a characteristic or a trait of the singer. In my blood lyrics meaning is also in the same lines – about one particular aspect of the singer’s personality. The title and the song connect with the audience. It is something that a lot of us often use in daily life. We talk of things that we can do and can not do because that is just how it is “in my blood”. The entire premise of the song is based on this, with an overtone of discussions around anxiety and mental health issues.

Intro – What Does It Mean?

Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in

Sometimes I feel like giving up

But I just can’t

It isn’t in my blood

The intro of the song is a dive into the emotion of the song. The very first line speaks to the audience about the emotion of being helpless. In my blood lyrics meaning is about the anxiety that does not leave you. The second line in the outro is an honest narration – something that most of us have experienced in our life. Many times we have experienced situations in which we just want to give up – but we can’t. Then, Mendes sings that he can not give up because it is not in his blood. It is not his in his nature or personality to give up on something. This sets the tone for the song, it is evident that the song is about resistance and struggle. The “keep going” spirit is reflected in the lyrics.

Verse 1 – What Does It Mean?

Laying on the bathroom floor, feeling nothing

I’m overwhelmed and insecure, give me something

I could take to ease my mind slowly

Just have a drink and you’ll feel better

Just take her home and you’ll feel better

Keep telling me that it gets better

Does it ever?

The first verse is honest, raw and pure. It goes in-depth into the anxiety faced by the singer. Anxiety is different for everyone – but we all can understand it. Likewise, the singer talks of his experience of numbness and insecurities. These emotions – or rather mix of emotions – are hard to face. Many times people around us give us advice to overcome them. They do not understand the intensity of our emotions – they can not comprehend the overwhelming nature of anxiety. Singer says that some gave him advice to drink while some gave him advice to get involved with someone.

For many people these actions might provide temporary relief but these do not help with your anxiety. Singer is also confused whether these meaningless actions can help with his anxiety. Such questions have emerged in a lot of people’s lives. We receive advice from people and friends, and we often think that whether those can help us. We know that what we feel is too deep to be resolved by just social activities.

What Does the Pre-chorus Mean?

Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in

Sometimes I feel like giving up

No medicine is strong enough

Someone help me

I’m crawling in my skin

Sometimes I feel like giving up

But I just can’t

The pre-chorus is another attempt at explaining his anxiety. The singer goes all in and talks of his feelings of giving up. There is an honest cry for help – no means is helping with the anxiety. The lyrics of the pre-chorus are heart-wrenching, with lines like “crawling in my skin”. Anybody who has been through an anxious phase or has an anxiety disorder can relate with the lyrics a lot. But, the spirit of the singer prevails. He is not bending because of the anxiety or overwhelming thoughts. In my blood lyrics meaning is about this spirit of fighting back. The spirit becomes so strong that you just can not give up – you will stand against the dark times and fight.

What Does the Chorus Mean?

It isn’t in my blood

It isn’t in my blood

The chorus is a repetition of the lyrics – around the title. This simple chorus has a deep impact on the audience. The rock music of the song uplifts the tone of the chorus. The lyrics are plain but are meaningful. When it is combined with the music, it is the perfect combination. The chorus is also an honest claim by the singer that he is resilient and he will fight all his devils. There is no chance that he will give up or find an escape. It is just not his nature – it is not in his blood to give up.

Verse 2 – What Does It Mean?

I’m looking through my phone again, feeling anxious

Afraid to be alone again, I hate this

I’m tryna find a way to chill, can’t breathe, oh

Is there somebody who could help me?

Verse 2 again explores the anxious phases of the singer. It is not clear whether the phone of the singer is causing the anxiety or it is a means of escaping the anxius thoughts. The singer is desperately trying to find ways of relaxing. He is asking for help from anyone who can step up and be with him. A lot of people relate with these emotions. Anxious phases or even periods of heartbreak can lead to such a state. In my blood lyrics meaning is a way to open conversation around anxiety and the behaviours around it.

What Does the Pre-chorus Mean?

It’s like the walls are caving in

Sometimes I feel like giving up

No medicine is strong enough

Someone help me

I’m crawling in my skin

Sometimes I feel like giving up

But I just can’t

The pre-chorus repeats and the audience is reminded of the deep impact of anxiety. Anxiety is not always connected with flaws, failures and mistakes. Anxiety can also prevail in situations of success, overwhelming fame and being in the public eye. There is a cry for help in every anxious situation. The pre-chorus again ends with the rebellious spirit of the singer. He is almost on the verge of giving up, but he will not. He knows that he just can not give up.

What Does the Chorus Mean?

It isn’t in my blood

It isn’t in my blood (oh)

The chorus is repeated again. The simple lyrics just set in your mind. They keep on playing on loop, with the high-tempo music. It becomes like an anthem – isn’t in my blood. This anthem is encouraging and motivating. It is a fight against anxiety and negative emotions. It is not in my blood to give up. Won’t let anxiety get the best of us.

What Does the Bridge Mean?

I need somebody now

I need somebody now

Someone to help me out

I need somebody now

The bridge is a raw cry of the singer. He is openly asking for someone to hold his hand and help him. He wants someone to guide him, to help him get out of his head. Many times we can not help ourselves and we need others to step up for us, and help us out. The bridge also talks of this need for someone to hold his hand throught the anxious thoughts.

Conclusion

In my blood lyrics meaning is all about the characteristic of the singer that keeps him going. Even in turbulent times, he is trying to find a way out. It is this spirit of the song, and the music that makes it so popular amongst the listeners.

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