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.
Father comes home 'cause his money's run out -
Seems a little loose tonight, he starts to shout.
Dinner's not on the table, seems mother's not able,
She's staring at the TV.
You can smell it on his breath, feel it in his touch,
He never meant to hit her hard, but he's like that when he's had too much.
It's just another story 'bout going too far,
It's just another story 'bout going too far.
Well the kid's at school, she's getting good grades,
But the peer pressure's starting now - too bad, she had it made.
Seems there's always someone trying to push you to do something,
You know, ain't the way they told you to
It's hard to see
The things you taught her, how to be,
It's like you told her nothing, selective memory.
Come on try it, it's just a smoke, ain't gonna kill you, so she takes a toke -
Fade to grey.
It's just another story 'bout going too far,
It's just another story 'bout going too far.
Well the guys at work seemed okay,
They'd buy you a drink, get you laid, what's wrong with that?
Why'd they have more money than you, expensive cars, expensive clothes,
D'you ever think of what they do?
At night they're out, shakin' people down,
When they're walking together seems they own the town.
But hey, who's gonna talk, you are their alibi,
Don't turn around, don't ask questions, just walk
It's just another story 'bout going too far,
It's just another story 'bout going too far.
Seems a little loose tonight, he starts to shout.
Dinner's not on the table, seems mother's not able,
She's staring at the TV.
You can smell it on his breath, feel it in his touch,
He never meant to hit her hard, but he's like that when he's had too much.
It's just another story 'bout going too far,
It's just another story 'bout going too far.
Well the kid's at school, she's getting good grades,
But the peer pressure's starting now - too bad, she had it made.
Seems there's always someone trying to push you to do something,
You know, ain't the way they told you to
It's hard to see
The things you taught her, how to be,
It's like you told her nothing, selective memory.
Come on try it, it's just a smoke, ain't gonna kill you, so she takes a toke -
Fade to grey.
It's just another story 'bout going too far,
It's just another story 'bout going too far.
Well the guys at work seemed okay,
They'd buy you a drink, get you laid, what's wrong with that?
Why'd they have more money than you, expensive cars, expensive clothes,
D'you ever think of what they do?
At night they're out, shakin' people down,
When they're walking together seems they own the town.
But hey, who's gonna talk, you are their alibi,
Don't turn around, don't ask questions, just walk
It's just another story 'bout going too far,
It's just another story 'bout going too far.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Just Another Story Lyrics as written by Phillip David Charles Collins
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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No Surprises
Radiohead
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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/
Blue
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“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.
Punchline
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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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.