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.
This is my five string serenade
Beneath the water it played
And while I'm playing for you
It could be raining there too
This is my five string serenade
Beneath the water it played
And while I'm playing for you
It could raining there too
And on my easel I drew
While I was thinking of you
And on the roof of my head
In came my five string serenade
This is my five string serenade
Beneath the water it played
And while I'm playing for you
It might be raining there too
And on my easel I drew
While I was thinking of you
And on the roof of my head
In came my five string serenade
This is my five string serenade
Beneath the water it played
And though I'm playing for you
It might be raining there too
This is my five string serenade
Beneath the water it played
And while I'm playing for you
It could be raining there too
This is my five string serenade
Beneath the water it played
And while I'm playing for you
It could raining there too
And on my easel I drew
While I was thinking of you
And on the roof of my head
In came my five string serenade
This is my five string serenade
Beneath the water it played
And while I'm playing for you
It might be raining there too
And on my easel I drew
While I was thinking of you
And on the roof of my head
In came my five string serenade
This is my five string serenade
Beneath the water it played
And though I'm playing for you
It might be raining there too
This is my five string serenade
Lyrics submitted by numb, edited by outofmy0mind, eeeeee
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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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
Another Love
Tom Odell
Tom Odell
I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.
This is a GREAT song. I can't stress that enough. It's so tranquil, poetic, and haunting (in a good way). The violins are great too. The whole CD is just perfect to (and I know this sounds cheesy...) light candles to, write in a journal, take a bath, sleep, or as a friend of mine put it, have sex to.
It's actually a cover of a song by Arthur Lee of the psychedelic rock band Love.
I would love to hear the original. I can not find it anywhere. Do you have any insight?
Hearing this song always paints a picture in my mind of an old brick apartment building, inhabited by your poetic, star eyed, free flowing types of lovely people. There are large open windows in a New Orleans type fashion, light rain fall, flowing shear white curtains gently blowing. People creating and painting and composing, lovely music from fellow artist drifting in through open windows.
beautiful song, came on here to see if anyone shared my interpretation and it seems not. Quite clearly (to me), its a song about someone masturbating in the bath whilst thinking about his/her absent lover.
Couldn't agree with you more, raechick, especially on the last bit....the lyrics are haunting in a way, but not so much that it scares you, just sort of sticks with you...Damn good!
I agree with pikki mostly. It makes me think of really arty people I didn't want to be pretentious and say 'people like me' in a big airy building, particularly one big room, in the summer, late afternoon, with the windows wide open and people just really relaxed sat on big comfy chairs just living life for the best and unwinding to this song.
This is my favourite song to drive to in the summer! It's just amazing!
any interpretations on this song? i cant quite follow
maybe she broke one of the strings on her guitar and someone challenged her to make something beautiful regardless of her handicap...that's what I've always suspected =)
“Beneath the water we play
sexy sultry spooky yumminess