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.
The factories still churning out, of that there’s not a single doubt
There’s more snide shit from their fleapits; they couldn’t give a fucking shit
It’s true, overdue, and plain to see the plights of those in misery
A dead necked vision, product of subsidence, fucked up, and held in screaming silence
Another police force investigation, blatant lies, false fucked suggestions
Is it all down to communications? Or does the grass need cutting? Has it changed direction?
The chants that only serve to divide, the police link with the revenue, the royalties slide
Now as poor old Joy Gardener bites the dust, why should I give a fucking fuck?
But the lefties scream outside the courts, looking to lay the blame, it’s no ones fault
They show sincerity, oh how much they care, yeah in their sick, twisted cause, in their affairs
A black boy has just missed his bus, a racist attack, or bloodthirsty lust?
Again, the left jump on the back of this weeks attack, and force feed, socialist shit militant crap
They blatantly try and whip up violence, why don’t they keep their arseholes shut? And keep it silent
Another black person has died, that is true, but are you surprised? I ain't because I already knew
By promoting political deaths, they could not give a fucking toss
Sexism reigns in mans green world, the ALF proves yet again that they won’t be told
That what they do (or don’t) is totally wrong, so fuck off you insane cunts, still remains... our song!
Detention centres for the relentless, approved schools for the fools
Abolish the jury, punish the fury, but it’s our power that you fuel
So it is basically blatantly obvious, and in fact fucking common sense
That when people are forced to live in shit, under your conditions crime will undoubtedly spread
You may be watching every move we make you even convince yourself that you are clever
But I'm looking right back into your eyes, so don’t you ever, never ever
Think that I might trip or slip right down your stairs
Into your cells, where unaware
You can beat and fuck me senseless
While the world spins around relentless
You may have people on your side that I consider the lowest form of life
But don’t you think what you call respect even enters into my minds aspect
For I'm sick of respect, how about our causes instead?
That made the maddened go to extreme lengths
Who simply couldn’t take it?
Who knew they wouldn’t make it?
Being ground down fine, by those who haven't got the time
For they shall punish those who sin
Toss the peasants lives into the bin
Of those that won’t beg to their Jesus, God, Christ I've had enough of that
Christ I've had enough of this
There’s more snide shit from their fleapits; they couldn’t give a fucking shit
It’s true, overdue, and plain to see the plights of those in misery
A dead necked vision, product of subsidence, fucked up, and held in screaming silence
Another police force investigation, blatant lies, false fucked suggestions
Is it all down to communications? Or does the grass need cutting? Has it changed direction?
The chants that only serve to divide, the police link with the revenue, the royalties slide
Now as poor old Joy Gardener bites the dust, why should I give a fucking fuck?
But the lefties scream outside the courts, looking to lay the blame, it’s no ones fault
They show sincerity, oh how much they care, yeah in their sick, twisted cause, in their affairs
A black boy has just missed his bus, a racist attack, or bloodthirsty lust?
Again, the left jump on the back of this weeks attack, and force feed, socialist shit militant crap
They blatantly try and whip up violence, why don’t they keep their arseholes shut? And keep it silent
Another black person has died, that is true, but are you surprised? I ain't because I already knew
By promoting political deaths, they could not give a fucking toss
Sexism reigns in mans green world, the ALF proves yet again that they won’t be told
That what they do (or don’t) is totally wrong, so fuck off you insane cunts, still remains... our song!
Detention centres for the relentless, approved schools for the fools
Abolish the jury, punish the fury, but it’s our power that you fuel
So it is basically blatantly obvious, and in fact fucking common sense
That when people are forced to live in shit, under your conditions crime will undoubtedly spread
You may be watching every move we make you even convince yourself that you are clever
But I'm looking right back into your eyes, so don’t you ever, never ever
Think that I might trip or slip right down your stairs
Into your cells, where unaware
You can beat and fuck me senseless
While the world spins around relentless
You may have people on your side that I consider the lowest form of life
But don’t you think what you call respect even enters into my minds aspect
For I'm sick of respect, how about our causes instead?
That made the maddened go to extreme lengths
Who simply couldn’t take it?
Who knew they wouldn’t make it?
Being ground down fine, by those who haven't got the time
For they shall punish those who sin
Toss the peasants lives into the bin
Of those that won’t beg to their Jesus, God, Christ I've had enough of that
Christ I've had enough of this
Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44
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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/
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.
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.
Sunglasses at Night
Corey Hart
Corey Hart
In the 1980s, sunglasses were a common fashion for people who wanted to adopt a "tough guy" persona (note all the cop shows from that era -- Simon & Simon, Miami Vice, etc. -- where the lead characters wore shades). So I think this song is about a guy who wears shades as a way of hiding his insecurity after learning that his girlfriend is cheating on him. He's trying to pretend that he's a "tough guy" to hide the fact that his girlfriend's affair is disturbing him.