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.
You close your eyes and kiss your hand, then you blow it
But it isn't meant for me, and I noticed
If the choice was ours alone,
Then why'd we both choose letting go?
Does it end like this?
Time never had a chance to heal your heart
Just a number always counting down to a new start
If you always knew the truth then the world will spin around you
Are you dizzy yet?
Respectfully, so honestly, I'm calling out
Do you hear the conversation we talk around?
I'll back away to the safety of a quiet house
If there's half a chance in this moment
When your eyes meet mine, we show it off
All talk and not a lot to think, we're living dreams
And shame never crept close to our naked feet
If there's something left to lose
Then don't let me wear out my shoes
That I still walk in
I tried, but it rang and rang, I called all night
On a payphone, remember those from another life?
If everything I meant to you
You can't lick and seal then fold in two
Then I've been so blind
Respectfully, so honestly, I'm asking now
Do you hear the conversation we talk about?
I'll back the way to the safety of a quiet house
If there's half a chance in this moment
When your eyes meet mine, we show it off
Aw, aw take it all back, take your first, your last, your only
Aw, aw take it all back, take it all back, everything you showed me
Aw, aw this must be how it feels
When the feeling goes on...
I told you as I haven't, I never felt this way
You said I have the shot that stops my clock
Baby it's okay
You said you never have regrets
Jesus, is there someone yet who got that wish?
Did you get yours, babe?
Respectfully, so honestly, I'm asking now
Do you hear the conversation we talk about?
I'll back away to the safety of a quiet house
If there's half a chance in this moment
When your eyes meet mine, we show it off.
But it isn't meant for me, and I noticed
If the choice was ours alone,
Then why'd we both choose letting go?
Does it end like this?
Time never had a chance to heal your heart
Just a number always counting down to a new start
If you always knew the truth then the world will spin around you
Are you dizzy yet?
Respectfully, so honestly, I'm calling out
Do you hear the conversation we talk around?
I'll back away to the safety of a quiet house
If there's half a chance in this moment
When your eyes meet mine, we show it off
All talk and not a lot to think, we're living dreams
And shame never crept close to our naked feet
If there's something left to lose
Then don't let me wear out my shoes
That I still walk in
I tried, but it rang and rang, I called all night
On a payphone, remember those from another life?
If everything I meant to you
You can't lick and seal then fold in two
Then I've been so blind
Respectfully, so honestly, I'm asking now
Do you hear the conversation we talk about?
I'll back the way to the safety of a quiet house
If there's half a chance in this moment
When your eyes meet mine, we show it off
Aw, aw take it all back, take your first, your last, your only
Aw, aw take it all back, take it all back, everything you showed me
Aw, aw this must be how it feels
When the feeling goes on...
I told you as I haven't, I never felt this way
You said I have the shot that stops my clock
Baby it's okay
You said you never have regrets
Jesus, is there someone yet who got that wish?
Did you get yours, babe?
Respectfully, so honestly, I'm asking now
Do you hear the conversation we talk about?
I'll back away to the safety of a quiet house
If there's half a chance in this moment
When your eyes meet mine, we show it off.
Lyrics submitted by ellie117
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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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
sounds like "stops my clock" to me