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.
If I were a farmer, I’'d live in Oklahoma,
I'’d have a million cows, a unibrow, and some overalls to boot.
If I were a painter, I'’d live in New York city,
I’'d paint something real pretty, city life, I’'d wear a second hand brown suit,
How bout a waiter, I’'d carry mashed potatoes,
and a big old steak out to the guy who’s sitting in the booth.
If I was in the FBI, I’ would help the world fight crime, a walkie talkie, a secret op-e and a wiretapping dude.
But I’m just a normal guy, with a light in my eye,
In love with a world that is so alive.
Isn'’t it scary, how everythings a mystery, all the time.
I’m just a normal guy, with a light in my eye,
In love with a world that is so alive.
Isn't it scary, how everythings a mystery, happy, sad, confused, whats the meaning of life?
If I were a politician, I’'d follow the tradition, and I'd cheat and lie, but it’s all right, hey that ain't nothing new.
If I drove a taxi cab, I would run up all the tabs,
just to save some dough, that I could blow on cigarettes and booze.
If I were the devil, I’d cause alot of trouble,
Hey, I’'d come to earth, and go to church, and sit right in a pew.
If I was a criminal, living in prison cell, wouldn’t drop my soap that’s on a rope, near Bubba and his crew.
If I were a nudist, that would be the coolest.
I'd stand in line at the five and dime in nothing but my shoes.
If I were a CEO, I'd have a lot of cash to blow,
I'd buy inside tips on Wall street and let Martha Stewart know.
I'’d have a million cows, a unibrow, and some overalls to boot.
If I were a painter, I'’d live in New York city,
I’'d paint something real pretty, city life, I’'d wear a second hand brown suit,
How bout a waiter, I’'d carry mashed potatoes,
and a big old steak out to the guy who’s sitting in the booth.
If I was in the FBI, I’ would help the world fight crime, a walkie talkie, a secret op-e and a wiretapping dude.
But I’m just a normal guy, with a light in my eye,
In love with a world that is so alive.
Isn'’t it scary, how everythings a mystery, all the time.
I’m just a normal guy, with a light in my eye,
In love with a world that is so alive.
Isn't it scary, how everythings a mystery, happy, sad, confused, whats the meaning of life?
If I were a politician, I’'d follow the tradition, and I'd cheat and lie, but it’s all right, hey that ain't nothing new.
If I drove a taxi cab, I would run up all the tabs,
just to save some dough, that I could blow on cigarettes and booze.
If I were the devil, I’d cause alot of trouble,
Hey, I’'d come to earth, and go to church, and sit right in a pew.
If I was a criminal, living in prison cell, wouldn’t drop my soap that’s on a rope, near Bubba and his crew.
If I were a nudist, that would be the coolest.
I'd stand in line at the five and dime in nothing but my shoes.
If I were a CEO, I'd have a lot of cash to blow,
I'd buy inside tips on Wall street and let Martha Stewart know.
Lyrics submitted by LgHawaiian
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