1 Meaning
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Nervously Lyrics
A nervous boy in several ways
I never knew the world could operate this way
I was nervous when we stopped to speak
And the world came crashing around my feet
We don't talk of love
We're much too shy
But nervously we wonder when and why
A nervous boy, in spite of which
I never thought I could tremble as much as this
Your flashing eyes and sudden smiles
Are never quite at ease, and neither am I
Oh, we'll talk about it all some night
But nervously we never get it
Right
From the start I approved of you
Right from the moment you turned to face me
A nervous boy from another town
With a nervous laugh and a concentrated frown
I spoke too fast with watchful eyes
Of a recent past and some nostalgic surprise
We don't talk of love
We're much too shy
But nervously we wonder when and
Smile
Knowing why I approved of you
Right from the moment you turned to face me
A nervous boy
I never knew the world could operate this way
I was nervous when we stopped to speak
And the world came crashing around my feet
We're much too shy
But nervously we wonder when and why
I never thought I could tremble as much as this
Your flashing eyes and sudden smiles
Are never quite at ease, and neither am I
But nervously we never get it
Right
From the start I approved of you
Right from the moment you turned to face me
With a nervous laugh and a concentrated frown
I spoke too fast with watchful eyes
Of a recent past and some nostalgic surprise
We're much too shy
But nervously we wonder when and
Smile
Knowing why I approved of you
Right from the moment you turned to face me
Song Info
Submitted by
mopnugget On Apr 13, 2002
More Pet Shop Boys
West End Girls
Rent
Being Boring
Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)
It's A Sin
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
I had kind of hoped someone had commented on this song, which is one of my favorites of Pet Shop Boys.
I have always had a strong belief this song is about a young and closeted, or recently open, gay boy meeting another boy in a similar situation. Just that awkward brief, and possibly chance, meeting when you first see someone with whom there is a spark. The song means a lot to me because I recall being that shy man, finally acknowledging to myself that I was gay, but so nervous as to how I might befriend another man. It wasn't the sexual attraction that scared me. It was wanting to find someone to learn with, whom I might possibly like, and not sure how to go about it. I was in the US military at the time, which heightened my nervousness at the prospect.
So all the lyrics in this, whether intentional or not, mirrored that feeling. I eventually made some friends, and even dated a man who remains a great friend. Everytime I hear this song, I recall that first meeting with him. The line "Smile, knowing why I approved of you, right from the moment you turned to face me," is magical to me. That instant spark when you when know someone touches you in some way and that you fancy them. It's the same for men, women, and for gays or straights. But this was the first song that spoke of it to me as a gay man.
"I never knew the world could operate this way," was how I felt, followed by the joy of realzing love was possible for me as well, as a gay man.
I'm not sure if that is what they mean when they wrote this song, but I'm glad they did. Because it is what the song represents for me.