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
Shaznay Lewis United Kingdom and Australia. The single sold over 1.2 million copies in the United Kingdom, being certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. The same year the group released their debut album "All Saints", most of the songs were co-written by Shaznay and the album reached number two in the United Kingdom. It was eventually certified platinum five times for sales of 1.5 million copies sold. In 2000 the group released their fourth number one single "Pure Shores", written by Lewis and William Orbit the single was certified platinum by the BPI for sales of 600,000 copies sold. The