Step into the shadowed heart of Nettles, the lead single from Ethel Cain’s sophomore album Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, released on August 8, 2025. This eight-minute southern Gothic slowcore masterpiece, born in the Alabama house where Cain crafted Preacher’s Daughter, weaves a tapestry of grief and love with lyrics like “We were in a race to grow up / But when the plant blew up / A piece of shrapnel flew and slowed that part of you.” Unlike the wistful yearning of Crush (2021), the anthemic rebellion of American Teenager (2022), or the seductive transformation of Gibson Girl (2022), Nettles is a raw, cinematic lament, dreaming of a lover’s loss in a hospital’s flicker. As a prequel to Preacher’s Daughter, it traces Ethel’s teenage romance with Willoughby Tucker, blending hope and doom. Nettles feels like a ghost whispering your own heartbreak—utterly unforgettable.
It’s a slow-burn meditation on Ethel Cain’s fear of losing her first love, Willoughby Tucker, set against a backdrop of small-town despair and personal demons. The song’s vibe is raw and cinematic, blending vivid imagery with a sense of doomed romance. Fans on X went wild, calling it “a spiritual event” and “an instant classic,” with 2.6 million Spotify streams shortly after release. The song’s cinematic production, featuring banjo, pedal steel, and ghostly organ, pairs with Ethel’s exposed vocals to create a raw, emotional journey. It’s a perfect entry point to Ethel Cain’s universe—a blend of music and storytelling that feels like a novel set to sound. Dive into Nettles lyrics by Ethel Cain and experience the magic of emotions.
| Sone Name | Nettles |
| Album | Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You |
| Lead Vocals | Ethel Cain |
| Song Writer | Ethel Cain |
| Music Producer | Ethel Cain |
| Label | Daughters of Cain Records |
| Release Date | June 4, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Daughters of Cain Records |
Lyrics of Nettles by Ethel Cain
[Verse 1]
We Were In A Race To Grow Up
Yesterday, Through Today, ’til Tomorrow
But When The Plant Blew Up
A Piece Of Shrapnel Flew And Slowed That Part Of You
The Doctors Gave You Until The End Of The Night
But Not ’til Daylight (Not ’til Daylight), Not ’til Daylight (Not ’til Daylight)
Time Passes Slower In The Flicker Of The Hospital Light
I Pray The Race Is Worth The Fight
Made A Fool Of Myself Down On Tennessee Street
It Wasn’t Pretty Like The Movies
It Was Ugly, Like What They All Did To Me
And They Did To Me What I Wouldn’t Do To Anyone
You Know That’s For Sure
[Chorus]
Tell Me All The Time Not To Worry
And Think Of All The Time I’ll, I’ll Have With You
When I Won’t Wake Up On My Own (Wake Up On My Own), Wake Up On My Own
Held Close All The Time, Knowing I’m Half Of You
[Post-Chorus]
(Mm-mm-mm, Mm-mm-mm)
(Mm-mm-mm, Mm-mm-mm)
(Mm-mm, Mm-mm, Mm-mm-mm)
(Mm-mm-mm, Mm-mm-mm)
(Mm-mm-mm, Mm-mm-mm)
[Verse 2]
Lay Me Down Where The Trees Bend Low
Put Me Down Where The Greenery Stings
I Can Hear Them Singin’
“To Love Me Is To Suffer Me”, And I Believe It
When I Lay With You In That Auld Lang Room
Wishin’ I Was The Way You Say That You Are
You’ll Go Fight A War, I’ll Go Missing
I Warned You, For Me, It’s Not That Hard
[Pre-Chorus]
That Picture On The Wall You’re Scared Of Looks Just Like You
I Wanna Bleed, I Wanna Hurt The Way That Boys Do
Maybe You’re Right And We Should Stop Watchin’ The News
’cause, Baby, I’ve Never Seen Brown Eyes Look So Blue
[Chorus]
Tell Me All The Time (Tell Me All The Time) Not To Worry (Not To Worry)
And Think Of All The Time I’ll, I’ll Have With You
When I Won’t Wake Up On My Own (Wake Up On My Own), Wake Up On My Own
Held Close All The Time, Knowin’ I’m Half Of You
Think Of Us Inside (Think Of Us Inside), After The Wedding (After The Wedding)
Sufferin’ The While To Lie A Time Or Two
When We Won’t Wake Up On Our Own (Wake Up On Our Own),
Wake Up On Our Own (Wake Up On Our Own)
Held Close All The Time, Knowin’ (Knowin’)
This Was All For You
[Post-Chorus]
Think Of Us Inside
Gardenias On The Tile,
Where It Makes No Difference Who Held Back From Who
[Instrumental Break]
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