War of Nerves recorded for the group's 1997 debut album, "All Saints". The group wrote the song as a response to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. In an interview for "The Irish Times", group member Shaznay Lewis reflected, "I never really thought about things like my own death until it happened to Diana. And the song definitely did help me face those feelings." Group member Natalie Appleton named it her favourite song on the album in the Appleton autobiography saying, "the emotions are powerful and it gives me chills." Sarah Davis of "Dotmusic" gave "War of Nerves" four out of five
Black Coffee (All Saints song) and Nichols all agreed to. After much time had passed since the recording arrangement, Nichols stressed whether All Saints were going to record the song at all. Over 40 songs were written for the group's second album, "Saints & Sinners", for which William Orbit was enlisted to produce, but Orbit's popularity at the time made it difficult for All Saints to meet with him in studio. It was only after the release of the album's lead single "Pure Shores" in February 2000 that they began working on a follow-up together. Orbit along with Lewis and group member Melanie Blatt gave