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.
There'll be three white horses
All in a line
There'll be three white horses
In a line
Three white horses when you go that way
You will need somebody when you come to die
Don't dismiss it like it's easy
Tell me what's so easy
About coming to say goodbye?
You're gonna miss her in the evening
You know all you need is
Somebody when you come to die
There'll be three white horses
All in a line
There'll be three white horses
In a line
Three white horses when you go that way
You will need somebody when you come to die
It's not desperation that we're breeding
It's just a need we're feeding
Before we say goodbye
You're gonna miss me in the evening
You know all you need is
Somebody when you come to die
all you need is
Somebody when you come to die
All in a line
There'll be three white horses
In a line
Three white horses when you go that way
You will need somebody when you come to die
Don't dismiss it like it's easy
Tell me what's so easy
About coming to say goodbye?
You're gonna miss her in the evening
You know all you need is
Somebody when you come to die
There'll be three white horses
All in a line
There'll be three white horses
In a line
Three white horses when you go that way
You will need somebody when you come to die
It's not desperation that we're breeding
It's just a need we're feeding
Before we say goodbye
You're gonna miss me in the evening
You know all you need is
Somebody when you come to die
all you need is
Somebody when you come to die
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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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I'm not entirely sure about the song's meaning, particularly because I'm not sure the significance of "three" white horses, and there must be a reason considering it's the title. However, I'll do my best.
The one thing I'm sure of is that the song is about death, ending a relationship, and the human drive for companionship. The singer and his (former?) partner are both present in the song, and they are discussing breaking up. The one being broken up with is confused and upset. I don't believe they're breaking up because of lack of love; it seems like the one is leaving the other because of a personal issue, or feeling like he doesn't deserve companionship, or perhaps he is emotionally wounded and runs away from relationships, thinking they don't last or he doesn't need them.
I'm more inclined toward the last possibility because the lyrics say, "It's not desperation that we're breeding, it's just a need we're feeding." This is the line about the human drive for companionship. Humans desire partners because they don't want to feel alone, and they most definitely don't want to die alone. The singer's partner wants the other person to understand it isn't weakness to want love, it's a natural part of life. It seems the singer himself knows this as well, deep down, as he is the one saying, "You're gonna miss her in the evening."
Like I said before, I'm not sure of the significance of "three" white horses, but white horses have loads of mythological and symbolic importance. For this song, I think the most fitting interpretation would be that white horses often appear at the end of days, their riders passing judgements and offering redemption to the souls they come across. I think the singer's partner is calling for him to reevaluate his life, think about whether he might regret pushing everyone that loves him away when he reaches the end. I think what the singer's love wants most is to offer the person she loves redemption, and, beneath his insecurities, I think the singer himself desires this as well.
i definitely agree! three white horses may represent different faiths.<br /> not needing anyone may mean that she's irreplaceable and/or that he thinks she'd feel better without his companionship.