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.
Tiny baby, so naive
I can't believe what you believe
You were once so happy here
It may not be Eden or summer in Greece
You may not even find the Gold Fleece
In the drag of this atmosphere
Now I don't want to bring up a delicate matter
No I'd much rather bribe or flatter you
'Cause flattery gets me everywhere
But you punctured my tires, you crossed all my wires
I brand your acolytes as a pack of liars
And the fire's singing everywhere
Buckle like a wreck on the cold green sea
Like you were a ripple in my memory
I lent you some collateral to buy new clothes
It went out the window and up your nose
And that's the end of the honeymoon
Yeah we walked down the aisle for another mile
I'd walk a million miles for one of your smiles
And you can have all the money soon
You're so deluxe, you're so divine
You're so fifty light years ahead of your time
You're a riddle, you're a ripple
You're the human sacrifice to the goddess of ice
Your hairdo is filled with diamonds and lice
And you're hardly off the nipple
Another little glitch in continuity
Like you were a ripple in my memory
I can't believe what you believe
You were once so happy here
It may not be Eden or summer in Greece
You may not even find the Gold Fleece
In the drag of this atmosphere
Now I don't want to bring up a delicate matter
No I'd much rather bribe or flatter you
'Cause flattery gets me everywhere
But you punctured my tires, you crossed all my wires
I brand your acolytes as a pack of liars
And the fire's singing everywhere
Buckle like a wreck on the cold green sea
Like you were a ripple in my memory
I lent you some collateral to buy new clothes
It went out the window and up your nose
And that's the end of the honeymoon
Yeah we walked down the aisle for another mile
I'd walk a million miles for one of your smiles
And you can have all the money soon
You're so deluxe, you're so divine
You're so fifty light years ahead of your time
You're a riddle, you're a ripple
You're the human sacrifice to the goddess of ice
Your hairdo is filled with diamonds and lice
And you're hardly off the nipple
Another little glitch in continuity
Like you were a ripple in my memory
Lyrics submitted by DivineFailure
Ripple Lyrics as written by Kilbey Daugherty
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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No Surprises
Radiohead
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Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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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
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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.
Head > Heels
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“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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
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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.
It might be about several things. One of them could be Kilbey's struggle with heroin addiction.
This song's obviously about heroin.
It kind of saddens me because this is one of the greatest songs ever written and I have this theory that most great songs are written about love or death. And while you could make the joke that a song about heroin is about both of those things, it's not really the same thing.
So what's the kicker for me? "I'd walk a million miles for one of your smiles. And you can have all the money soon?" And there's no denying it as it gets even more direct thereafter. So Kilbey (the mail protagonist) is offering both a trail of tears AND his credit card (i.e. everything he owns and more)?
The sad part is that these are some of the most romantic lyrics ever laid to tape within the context of an equally romantic aural context (instrumentally). The 19th century British Romantics could only have hoped to have penned desirous feelings such as these. Most of them were only slightly aware of opiates and their effects.
I'm sad to report this to the female specimen: even if you're currently in a relationship, the chances of your beau ever even conjuring thoughts such as these because of you is slim to none. Why?
It's simple science. You are not a physical addiction.
no disappointments here.
I thought it was rice instead of lice?
the narrator is infatuated with a younger woman, who while she isn't intelligent is rather cunning. she has shady friends, and an obvious drug problem. as the song goes on, you get the impression that he's waking up to the fact that she's no good...
The song lyrics & the music video maybe reminiscent of the entertainment - media - fashion industry & it's participants attempting to achieve perfection at any cost.
lush and surreal. this song was on a driving mix my boyfriend made and we'd drive around sydney at night and sing along.