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.
I never had no one that I could count on
I've been let down so many times
I was tired of hurtin' so tired of searchin'
'Til you walked into my life
It was a feelin' I'd never known
And for the first time I didn't feel alone
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
And oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend, oh yeah
You stand by me and you believe in me
Like nobody ever has
When my world goes crazy
You're right there to save me
You make me see how much I have
And I still tremble when we touch
And oh the look in your eyes
When we make love
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
And oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend, ooh oh
You're my best friend, uh huh
And you're more than a lover
There could never be another
Make me feel the way you do
And oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend, oh, oh, oh
You're my best friend (my best friend), oh yeah
Ooh, you're my best friend (my best friend)
Ooh, my best friend
I've been let down so many times
I was tired of hurtin' so tired of searchin'
'Til you walked into my life
It was a feelin' I'd never known
And for the first time I didn't feel alone
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
And oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend, oh yeah
You stand by me and you believe in me
Like nobody ever has
When my world goes crazy
You're right there to save me
You make me see how much I have
And I still tremble when we touch
And oh the look in your eyes
When we make love
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
And oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend, ooh oh
You're my best friend, uh huh
And you're more than a lover
There could never be another
Make me feel the way you do
And oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend, oh, oh, oh
You're my best friend (my best friend), oh yeah
Ooh, you're my best friend (my best friend)
Ooh, my best friend
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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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced 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.
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.
its really nice having a girl sing this song to you. makes you feel good. :)
This song is AWESOME! It totally explains my "best friend" and I!....."You're more than a lover There could never be another To make me feel the way you do And oh, we just get closer". It's the best feeling when you realize that your "best friend" is your soulmate! "And I don't know where I'd be without you here with me, Life with you makes perfect sense. You're my best friend". A true lover and soulmate should be your "BEST FRIEND". It is beautiful when you can picture the rest of your life with one person!
I agree with you! My favorite line in the song is "Life with you makes perfect sense, you're my best friend." That is exactly how I feel about my fiance!! I love you babe!!
This is the song that my boyfriend played for me to let me know exactly how he was feeling about me. It is now our theme song. We listen to it along with other of "our" songs during romantic dinners as well as when we are making love. The wonderful thing about this song is that it is also exactly the way I feel about him. Tim & Faith are a perfect couple and that is what we are striving to be as well. What a wonderful song for me and my wonderful man!
this song means a lot to me.. its express how i feel for my best friend...unfortunately we broke our friendship..
this is a beautiful song. this is me and my b/f song. i love this song.
Josh you went from being my BEST friend to being so much more that i cant imagine NOT havin you in my life now. Eventhough things get screwed up and things get tough you're always gonna be my best friend and if i have my way my BF until my husband. I love you.
tim mcgraw is wonderful i love all his music hes sooo unique........and him and faith make the perfect couple.......much love to both of them....this is a wonderful song!! i love u tim!
it means to people were best friends...and they fell in love! and its a great song..
She saved him.
This song is sentimental because it express how this man feels about the woman that has come into his life. She is someone he can depend on and even more important someone he loves. His feelings for her have grown stronger and made his life that much more worth living. Their love grew and they became best friends.