I'm going from strange to stranger
Every year
It's going from strange to stranger
Every year

I take it back
You're panicking
I take it back
I just don't know
I really thought I wanted to go
But when you're close
You look through me just like a ghost
I like sleeping
I'm only safe when I'm dreaming
I need a new heart
This one's hollow always scheming
You wait for summer
And then you wait for winter
But there's a total lack of splendor

Zen brain
Throw away your crushes
All your childhood crutches away
Super brain
Never scared of nothing
Violence or loving my way


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Zen Brain Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

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Zen Brain song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I was also hooked immediately and my first thought was also that it sounds more like the newer albums ;)

    It's besides 80 Windows and Paper Boats my favorite song.

    I think it means that you don't get better every year: you wait for the winter and the summer over and over again for something great to come along but nothing great comes you just keep stuck in your psychological problems you've been in since you were a child (and them getting even worse every year). And zen brain means a healthy mind without any problems so you want this super brain to come along and eliminate your problems. (I think zen means in buddhism the solution to all your problems [and your pain caused by your own egocentrity]). I love those lyrics. and the sound too. especially the line: "I like sleeping I'm only safe when I'm dreaming" I can totally relate to that. the lyrics are just genius!

    FruitFlyon July 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wow no one commented on this song yet. After listening to it just once I was hooked, very soft and the ending is just incredible. However I still don't know quite what it means. Even though it is off of the older High/Low album, it sounds more like their newer, more emo-sounding music, like that off of the Let Go album. This song is a great ending to the cd, just like Paper Boats is a great ending to the Let Go cd). Great song!

    Redlighton June 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think he means he's changing every year.

    tamyb171on December 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song is about Coach Phil Jackson (the Zen Master) and the 1990's Chicago Bulls.

    Nada Surf is from New York City and are most likely Knicks fans. The Knicks would lose in demoralizing fashion to the Zen Brain and his minions.

    MuckyDuckShirton April 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    to me, it`s about how people get obsessed with things as kids, constantly looking forward, but forgeting to how as we grow up, we have to throw all away all that we had, the only way to get through this being by being kinda detactched or being zen. then again, this is probably a reflection of myself...

    skuaon October 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I always thought that zen brain is a super brain (like the song says) which can push all your problems away by thinking "this is not a big deal" i think that's what the song is saying, that all your problems are in your brain and you can make them go away by saying to yourself that you can get over it "it's not such a big deal" Altough it might not seems like it

    ronbenatiaon July 17, 2014   Link

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