Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
She waits for me at night
She waits for me in silence
She gives me all her tenderness
And takes away my pain
And so far she hasn't run
Though I swear she's had her moments
She still believes in miracles
While others cry in vain
It's all about soul
It's all about faith and a deeper devotion
It's all about soul
'Cause under the love is a stronger emotion
She's got to be strong
'Cause so many things getting out of control
Should drive her away, so why does she stay?
It's all about soul
She turns to me sometimes
And she asks me what I'm dreaming
And I realize I must have gone
A million miles away
And I ask her how she knew
To reach out for me at that moment
And she smiles because it's understood
There are no words to say
It's all about soul
It's all about knowing what someone is feeling
The woman's got soul
The power of love and the power of healing
This life isn't fair
It's gonna get dark, it's gonna get cold
You've got to get tough, but that ain't enough
It's all about soul
Ah
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
It's all about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Yes, it is
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
It's all about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
There are people who have lost
Every trace of human kindness
There are many who have fallen
There are some who still survive
Ah, she comes to me at night
And she tells me her desires
And she gives me all the love I need
To keep my faith alive
It's all about soul
It's all about joy that comes out of sorrow
It's all about soul
Who's standing now, who's standing tomorrow
You've got to be hard
As hard as the rock in that old rock 'n' roll
But that's only part, you know in your heart
It's all about soul
Oh, yeah
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
It's all about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Yes, it is
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
All about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Yes, it is, yeah-yeah-yeah
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
It's all about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Yes, it is, yeah-yeah-yeah
She waits for me in silence
She gives me all her tenderness
And takes away my pain
And so far she hasn't run
Though I swear she's had her moments
She still believes in miracles
While others cry in vain
It's all about soul
It's all about faith and a deeper devotion
It's all about soul
'Cause under the love is a stronger emotion
She's got to be strong
'Cause so many things getting out of control
Should drive her away, so why does she stay?
It's all about soul
She turns to me sometimes
And she asks me what I'm dreaming
And I realize I must have gone
A million miles away
And I ask her how she knew
To reach out for me at that moment
And she smiles because it's understood
There are no words to say
It's all about soul
It's all about knowing what someone is feeling
The woman's got soul
The power of love and the power of healing
This life isn't fair
It's gonna get dark, it's gonna get cold
You've got to get tough, but that ain't enough
It's all about soul
Ah
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
It's all about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Yes, it is
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
It's all about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
There are people who have lost
Every trace of human kindness
There are many who have fallen
There are some who still survive
Ah, she comes to me at night
And she tells me her desires
And she gives me all the love I need
To keep my faith alive
It's all about soul
It's all about joy that comes out of sorrow
It's all about soul
Who's standing now, who's standing tomorrow
You've got to be hard
As hard as the rock in that old rock 'n' roll
But that's only part, you know in your heart
It's all about soul
Oh, yeah
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
It's all about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Yes, it is
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
All about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Yes, it is, yeah-yeah-yeah
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (oh-oh-oh)
It's all about soul
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Yes, it is, yeah-yeah-yeah
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More Featured Meanings
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
wow,if i ever marry my current boyfriend this is our wedding song. he sings it to me often, for 7 years he went through a hard time he had no faith,no hope and he says i dragged him through it i made him believe in love even when others told me he was a lost cause.there was times it was hard and i never gave up i never ran and i wont. he also says i havnt been harden by it or my not so grand life and im not selfish or hating so he says the part where it says (there are some who still remain )thats me, and everything i do i do with soul and truth .