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've been up to my neck workin' six days a week
Wearin' holes in the soles of the shoes on my feet
Been dreamin' of gettin' away since I don't know
Ain't no better time than now for Mexico
And no shoes, no shirt, and no problems
Blues what blues hey I forgot 'em
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom
And no shoes, no shirt, and no problems
No problems
Want a towel on a chair in the sand by the sea
Want to look through my shades and see you there with me
Want to soak up life for a while in laid back mode
No boss, no clocks, no stress, no dress code
And no shoes, no shirt, no problems
Blues what blues hey I forgot 'em
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom
And no shoes, no shirt, and no problems
Babe, lets get packed tank tops and flip flops if you got 'em
But no shoes, no shirt and no problems
No problems
Wearin' holes in the soles of the shoes on my feet
Been dreamin' of gettin' away since I don't know
Ain't no better time than now for Mexico
And no shoes, no shirt, and no problems
Blues what blues hey I forgot 'em
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom
And no shoes, no shirt, and no problems
No problems
Want a towel on a chair in the sand by the sea
Want to look through my shades and see you there with me
Want to soak up life for a while in laid back mode
No boss, no clocks, no stress, no dress code
And no shoes, no shirt, no problems
Blues what blues hey I forgot 'em
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom
And no shoes, no shirt, and no problems
Babe, lets get packed tank tops and flip flops if you got 'em
But no shoes, no shirt and no problems
No problems
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I got a t-shirt that says the title of this song on it :D I'm so happy. Haha.
Oh whoops. I pressed Add too soon. I think this song is saying that you should just let go and have fun in life. Instead of 'workin' 6 days a week' like he says.
I kinda disagree. I think he's saying that it's good to work 6 days a week, but on the 7th day to just enjoy it. Get drunk, and forget your problems
Work hard so you can enjoy it better when you get to relax. But do make sure that you get that chance to forget about your worries once in a while.
"No shoes, No shirt, No problems! Blues what blues...hey I forgot 'em" He is pretty much saying he knows we have to work hard but we also need to enjoy life. Sometimes we just need to forget all our problems even if its for a short time. He def promotes this way of life at his concerts. I know i def forget all my problems at his concerts lol