These Words

Natasha Bedingfield's 'These Words' is a pop song that delves into the challenges of songwriting and expressing genuine feelings through music. The lyrics reveal the artist's struggle to find the right words to convey her emotions, particularly her love, in a way that feels both original and impactful. Bedingfield uses a mix of musical terminology and references to classical poets to illustrate her creative process and the high standards she sets for herself.

The song opens with Bedingfield throwing chords together, specifically D-E-F, which symbolizes the basic building blocks of her music. She acknowledges her difficulty in focusing, referencing Attention Deficit Disorder (A-D-D) to describe her scattered thoughts. The 'magic' she seeks is the elusive perfect song, a 'classic' that will adequately express her feelings. The 'waste bin full of paper' and 'clever rhymes' suggest numerous attempts and discarded ideas in her quest to articulate her love.

In the chorus, Bedingfield emphasizes that the words she finally chooses are her own, coming directly from her heart. This declaration of love is simple and direct, contrasting with the complex process she describes in creating her music. The mention of 'Byron, Shelley, and Keats' indicates her high aspirations, as she attempts to blend the timeless quality of their poetry with contemporary hip-hop beats. Ultimately, the song is about the vulnerability and authenticity of sharing one's true feelings, stripping away the artifice to reveal the 'naked soul.'