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 did my best
But I guess my best wasn't good enough
Cause here we are
Back where we were before
Seems nothin' ever changes
We're back to being strangers
Wondering if we ought to stay
Or head on out the door
Just once
Can't we figure out what we keep doin' wrong
Why we never last for very long
What are we doin' wrong
Just once
Can't we find a way to finally make it right
To make the magic last for more than just one night
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it
(Hmm hmm)
I gave my all
But I think my all may have been too much
Cause Lord knows we're not gettin' anywhere
Seems we're always blowin'
Whatever we've got goin'
And it seems at times with all we've got
We haven't got a prayer
Just once
Can't we figure out what we keep doin' wrong
Why the good times never last for long
Where are we goin' wrong
Just once
Can't we find a way to finally make it right
To make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it
Just once
I want to understand
Why it always comes back to goodbye
Why
Can't we get ourselves in hand
And admit to one another
We're no good without each other
Take the best and make it better
Find a way to stay together
Just once
Can't we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it
Just once
Whoa oh, we can get to it
Just once
But I guess my best wasn't good enough
Cause here we are
Back where we were before
Seems nothin' ever changes
We're back to being strangers
Wondering if we ought to stay
Or head on out the door
Just once
Can't we figure out what we keep doin' wrong
Why we never last for very long
What are we doin' wrong
Just once
Can't we find a way to finally make it right
To make the magic last for more than just one night
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it
(Hmm hmm)
I gave my all
But I think my all may have been too much
Cause Lord knows we're not gettin' anywhere
Seems we're always blowin'
Whatever we've got goin'
And it seems at times with all we've got
We haven't got a prayer
Just once
Can't we figure out what we keep doin' wrong
Why the good times never last for long
Where are we goin' wrong
Just once
Can't we find a way to finally make it right
To make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it
Just once
I want to understand
Why it always comes back to goodbye
Why
Can't we get ourselves in hand
And admit to one another
We're no good without each other
Take the best and make it better
Find a way to stay together
Just once
Can't we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it
Just once
Whoa oh, we can get to it
Just once
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I have to disagree with Brad. I used to interpret the song that way, and then I both listened to it again and read the lyrics.
This song is one of hope. It's actually about reconciliation.
The combination of the bridge:
Just once I want to understand Why it always comes back to goodbye Why Can't we get ourselves in hand And admit to one another We're no good without each other Take the best and make it better Find a way to stay together
and the last lines:
Whoa oh, we can get to it Just once
Say to me that this couple is willing to do the work to be the exception. I'm picturing one of them, standing at the door, about to walk out, and instead they turn around and stay.
@cycworker totally agree... this song seems to be my theme song right now in my life, finding myself going through a midlife crisis of sorts. The questions that come with middle age and re-evaluating ones life and how one gets to where they are now, with "empty nest" right around the corner... blah blah blah.