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.
Yeah, yes, yes
Have I told ya
You could really get it on?
I was at an all night diner
The sign said, "Triple X"
But they were talking about root beer
I'm just sitting down
Thinking about nothing
Looking at the thin air
Breathing up the oxygen
Have I told ya
You could really get it on?
A guy comes up, looking pretty 8-ball
Snaggletooth smile, sits down at my table
Puts his arm around me, starts to share his information
He said, he said, he said [x4] this is what he said
"I have sex, I'm always thinking about the pavement
So I can avoid premature ejaculation"
I got up, remembering to thank him
Better things to do so I'll start drinking
Now
I'm in Tahoka, now I'm gonna hook up
With the parties, unfortunately
No one has any ideas, damn
Have I told ya
You could really get it on?
Have I told ya
You could really get it on?
I was at an all night diner
The sign said, "Triple X"
But they were talking about root beer
I'm just sitting down
Thinking about nothing
Looking at the thin air
Breathing up the oxygen
Have I told ya
You could really get it on?
A guy comes up, looking pretty 8-ball
Snaggletooth smile, sits down at my table
Puts his arm around me, starts to share his information
He said, he said, he said [x4] this is what he said
"I have sex, I'm always thinking about the pavement
So I can avoid premature ejaculation"
I got up, remembering to thank him
Better things to do so I'll start drinking
Now
I'm in Tahoka, now I'm gonna hook up
With the parties, unfortunately
No one has any ideas, damn
Have I told ya
You could really get it on?
Lyrics submitted by numb, edited by Bar0nv0nbullsh1t
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No Surprises
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Thank you Isaac. I think about the pavement-and the ladies have never been happier.
This song actually mentions a landmark from their hometown (and my hometown) of Issaquah WA. The Triple X place he talks about is the triple x root beer place in downtown issaquah, and hes right, its just root beer... no porn or sex of any sort, just a bunch of classic car stuff
wow. I remember that this was literally the first modest mouse song that I ever heard. It was the first track on a mm comp that one of my closest friends made for me. It has extra meaning now that we have been romantically involved. It was the beginning of both my love affair for modest mouse and him. Crazy.
he says "like always" after unfortunately in the line: I'm in Tahoka, now I'm gonna hook up With the parties, unfortunately (like always)
it may be just me i dont know..
I think your right. I just listened to it and i definitely hear "always" in there. the "like" may be hidden behind "unfortunately", if you can follow my confusing reply.
"I have sex, I'm always thinking about the pavement So I can avoid premature ejaculation"
thats so great..haha.
I can assure you, it is pavement.
magnolia fan sucks. I doubt isaac uses slang terms from the 1940s. a guy comes up, looking pretty 8-balled. I think that makes tons of sense. a guy comes up looking pretty methed/coked out.
When I was younger me and my family were driving at night on this long car trip, and we stopped at this small town restaurant that was still open at like 10. This guy basically invited himself to sit with us because he was all alone. He rambled on and on about his fledgling meat business, but no one had the heart to shut him up. So I think this song is a narrative on a real situation Isaac encountered, and the line "I got up, remembering to thank him" describes a situation we've all been in, trying to get out of a conversation in the most painless way possible. And "Have I told ya" may have been something this coke/meth head 8-ball guy kept saying while he was tweaking. Just some thoughts.
Fucking great song.
i agree this song is great modest mouse has the best lyrics!
omg this is the greatest song ever.