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.
Why did you look the other way
When I told you I had something to say
Can you imagine that
Can you imagine that it could be
Why do you scream at everything unfair
Tell me would you know the truth if it was there
If you would reach for me
If you would reach for me it could be
*Something real
When your faith has left before the morning
Someone there softly breathing
A body to awaken
When the time comes to tear you
A cruel enemy
You could hold on to me*
What is there that strips you of your pride
There is nothing left of you inside
If you would reach for me
If you would reach for me it could be
(Repeat * to fade)
When I told you I had something to say
Can you imagine that
Can you imagine that it could be
Why do you scream at everything unfair
Tell me would you know the truth if it was there
If you would reach for me
If you would reach for me it could be
*Something real
When your faith has left before the morning
Someone there softly breathing
A body to awaken
When the time comes to tear you
A cruel enemy
You could hold on to me*
What is there that strips you of your pride
There is nothing left of you inside
If you would reach for me
If you would reach for me it could be
(Repeat * to fade)
Lyrics submitted by no_angel
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