This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
It all begins with a smile
Who is reading this?
Who is leading this?
'Cause I thought you should know that this is not an open book
They read so much it tears them down
They're all around the kinder people like the Federman's tale
It's the cycle of five
And I know myself of course 'cause it's certifiable
And the people that are pushing in their cheeks, oh
And I thought you should warn them that this is not an open book
Don't read so much it tears you down, you're all around
The kind of people like the prodigal heirs and their sons
It's the cycle of five
And I know how strong the pull of what's fortified, make sense?
And the people that are pushing in their cheeks, oh
Tell me what you have and that's when I'll know
If you have anything to start with
Then I thought you should warn them that this is not an open book
Don't read so much it tears you down, you're turning into people
The people like the prodigal heirs and their sons
It's the cycle of five
And I know myself of course 'cause it's certifiable
And the people that are pushing in their cheeks, oh
Tell me what you have and that's when I'll know
If you have anything to start with
These are the fibers of what makes the world
Left are the fibrous ones who've met the world
Here with the favors done, left are the fibers of letting go
Who is reading this?
Who is leading this?
'Cause I thought you should know that this is not an open book
They read so much it tears them down
They're all around the kinder people like the Federman's tale
It's the cycle of five
And I know myself of course 'cause it's certifiable
And the people that are pushing in their cheeks, oh
And I thought you should warn them that this is not an open book
Don't read so much it tears you down, you're all around
The kind of people like the prodigal heirs and their sons
It's the cycle of five
And I know how strong the pull of what's fortified, make sense?
And the people that are pushing in their cheeks, oh
Tell me what you have and that's when I'll know
If you have anything to start with
Then I thought you should warn them that this is not an open book
Don't read so much it tears you down, you're turning into people
The people like the prodigal heirs and their sons
It's the cycle of five
And I know myself of course 'cause it's certifiable
And the people that are pushing in their cheeks, oh
Tell me what you have and that's when I'll know
If you have anything to start with
These are the fibers of what makes the world
Left are the fibrous ones who've met the world
Here with the favors done, left are the fibers of letting go
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More Featured Meanings
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
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