NF – How Could You Leave Us Lyrics - Genius

2025, In ReviewFeaturedChartsVideosPromote Your MusicSign Up112Cover art for How Could You Leave Us by NFHow Could You Leave UsNFProducerTommee ProfittTrack 4 onTherapy Session Apr. 22, 20161 viewer564.1K views145 ContributorsTranslations
  • NF - How Could You Leave Us (Український переклад)

How Could You Leave Us Lyrics

In “How Could You Leave Us,” NF questions his mother’s sudden departure in death, uncovering the heartbreaking moments he was able to share with her. Unfortunately, his mother’s addiction to pills caused her… Read More [Intro]How could you leave so unexpected?We were waitin', we were waitin'For you, but you just left usWe needed you, I needed you[Verse 1]Yo, I don't know what it's like to be addicted to pillsBut I do know what it's like to be a witness, it killsMama told me she loved me, I'm thinkin' this isn't realI think of you when I get a whiff of that cigarette smell, yeahWelcome to the bottom of hellThey say pain is a prison, let me out of my cellYou say you proud of me, but you don't know me that wellSit in my room, tears runnin' down my face and I yellInto my pillowcases, say you comin' to get usThen call a minute later just to tell us you're not, I'm humiliatedI'm in a room with a parent that I don't barely knowSome lady in the corner watchin' us while she's takin' notesI don't get it, Mom, don't you want to watch your babies grow?I guess pills are more important, all you have to say is "No"But you won't do it, will you?You gon' keep poppin' 'til them pills kill youI know you're gone, but I can still feel you[Chorus]Why would you leave us?Why would you leave us?How could you leave us here?How could you leave us?Why would you leave us? OhHeyYou might also like[Verse 2]I got this picture in my room and it kills meBut I don't need a picture of my mom, I need the real thingNow a relationship is somethin' we won't ever haveBut why do I feel like I lost something that I never had?You shoulda been there when I graduatedTold me you love me and congratulationInstead you left us at the window waitin'Where you at, Mom?We're too young to understand, where you at, huh?Yeah, I know them drugs have got you held captiveI can see it in your eyes, they got your mind capturedSome say it's fun to get the high, but I am not laughin'And what you don't realize, and what you're not graspin'That I was nothin' but a kid who couldn't understand itI ain't gon' say that I forgive you 'cause it hasn't happenedI thought that maybe I'd feel better as time passesIf you really care for me, then where you at then?[Chorus]Why would you leave us?Why would you leave us?How could you leave us here?How could you leave us?Why would you leave us? OhHey[Verse 3]Our last conversation, you and I sat in the livin' roomTalking 'bout my music and I brought you some to listen toYou started cryin', tellin' me, "This isn't you"A couple weeks later, guess you were singin' a different tuneYou took them pills for the last time, didn't you?They took you from us once, I guess they came back to finish youCryin' my eyes out in the studio is difficultMusic is the only place that I can go to speak to youIt took everything inside of me not to scream at your funeralSittin' in my chair, that person talkin' was pitifulI wish you were here, Mama, but every time I picture youAll I feel is pain, I hate the way I remember youThey found you on the floor, I could tell you felt hollowGave everything you had, plus your life to them pill bottlesYou gave everything you had, plus your life to them pill bottlesDon't know if you hear me or not, but if you're still watchin', Ma[Chorus]Why would you leave us?Why would you leave us?How could you leave us here?How could you leave us?Why would you leave us? OhHey[Outro]Sometimes, I think about, likeSometimes, I think about things, likeYou know, when I'd have kids, I'm like, I'm likeYou won't be there, you know?You won't be there for any of thatAnd I'll never get to see you againSometimes, I wish I would've just called youI wish I would've just picked up the phoneWish you were hereI mean, you should've been there for usYou should've been hereThe pills got you, right?Them pills got you, right?I wish you were here112EmbedCancel

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

AboutSong Bio5 contributors

In “How Could You Leave Us,” NF questions his mother’s sudden departure in death, uncovering the heartbreaking moments he was able to share with her. Unfortunately, his mother’s addiction to pills caused her to overdose, and take her own life. Through this song, it is the closest NF is able to reach his mother, and therefore receive “therapy.”

Expand +25461Share

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Ask a questionWhat did NF say about "How Could You Leave Us"?Genius Answer1 contributor

I was bawling my eyes out in the studio. I had my producer leave the studio and I just talked over the beat which is what you hear in the song.

+67How long ago did his mother die?Genius Answer2 contributors

She overdosed in 2009.

+43Is there a music video?Genius Answer3 contributors

Yes. On January 29, 2017 NF announced via Twitter that a music video was about to drop.

His music video was released at midnight on January 30th, 2017.

He posted a follow up tweet twenty minutes after the release about the music video.

+34Has the track received any certifications?Who produced “How Could You Leave Us” by NF?When did NF release “How Could You Leave Us”?Who wrote “How Could You Leave Us” by NF?Therapy Session (2016)NF
  1. 1. Intro 2
  2. 2. Therapy Session
  3. 3. I Just Wanna Know
  4. 4. How Could You Leave Us
  5. 5. Breathe
  6. 6. Real
  7. 7. Oh Lord
  8. 8. I Can Feel It
  9. 9. Got You On My Mind
  10. 10. Grindin’
  11. 11. Wish You Wouldn’t
  12. 12. Statement
  13. 13. All I Do
  14. 14. Lost in the Moment
CreditsProducerTommee ProfittWritersNF & Tommee ProfittPhonographic Copyright ℗Capitol CMGCopyright ©Capitol CMGVocalsNFMixing EngineerTommee ProfittInstrumentationTommee ProfittProgrammerTommee ProfittBackground VocalsNFEngineerTommee ProfittLabelCapitol CMGMastering EngineerMike BozziVideo ProducerPatrick TohillRecorded AtTommee Profitt Studios, Grand Rapids, MIReleased onApril 22, 2016How Could You Leave Us CoversHow Could You Leave Us (Instrumental) by Piano DreamersHow Could You Leave Us TranslationsNF - How Could You Leave Us (Український переклад) by Genius Ukrainian Translations (Українські переклади)TagsRapIn EnglishUSAHardcore RapHip-HopConscious RapExpand CommentsAdd a commentSign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up

Tag » How Could You Leave Us Nf Lyrics