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
Rock Steady (All Saints song) tracks. The song is upbeat and contains prominent 2 Tone, dance-pop, reggae fusion, rocksteady and ska or as described by the "Huddersfield Daily Examiner", "sassy reggae pop" musical characteristics. The song is constructed in verse-chorus form. The first verse is sung by Shaznay and the second verse is sung by Nicole. Melanie Blatt leads the song's middle 8 along with Natalie. All the verses are sung in call and response with the chorus being sung as a combined vocal by all group members with Shaznay on lead. Surrounding the release of "Rock Steady" was controversy regarding its sound after Cheryl