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.
first you go up the hill
(don't forget to sat the church)
the church why? i don't know...
(in case they miss the turn)
let me do the talking
(you make mistakes sometimes)
well so do you too
never let me talk
-----
yaahhh - drink your beer
this is no suprise
they're always arguing, they're from down in...
(darts my friend?)
and when you reach the top
out on the scraggy backs just there
say - you must be new
a movie camera! (ooohh!)
WELL - I wouldn't GO
(darts?) don't! (over his shoulder as he goes to play darts)
WHO IS THAT WITH YOU?
(darts my friend?)
how does she hang the clothes
climb up on herself?
there's a house(white)
a back porch(grey)
just a table there
(don't forget the laundry line)
yes - nobody knows how far it goes(many men have died)
BALONEY/PHOOEY
past the fishing banks
probably past the edge of the earth maybe
OH COME ON
and sometimes there is a chair the table legs they never
move waiting and pressing and the clothesline stop don't move
CHORUS:
well, maybe she should go to school
no,no...she's a table
lena's a white table
and in the afternoon
and in the autumn air
the porch is bare and still
there is a waiting there
and flint the laundry line
apples rolling down the hill
WINDOW:
i hope that she's here
what if she's not here
i don't think she's here
i hope she's not here
don't you think she's here
i don't think she's here
and sometimes there is a chair the table legs they never
move waiting and pressing and the clothesline stop don't move
CHORUS:
well, maybe she should go to school
no,no...she's a table
lena's a white table
well,maybe she should learn to pray
no,no...she's a table
lena's a white table
we saw her waiting by the line
which line? the laundry line
waiting for the clothes to dry
what if she freezes in mid-air?
no no no no no...
(don't forget to sat the church)
the church why? i don't know...
(in case they miss the turn)
let me do the talking
(you make mistakes sometimes)
well so do you too
never let me talk
-----
yaahhh - drink your beer
this is no suprise
they're always arguing, they're from down in...
(darts my friend?)
and when you reach the top
out on the scraggy backs just there
say - you must be new
a movie camera! (ooohh!)
WELL - I wouldn't GO
(darts?) don't! (over his shoulder as he goes to play darts)
WHO IS THAT WITH YOU?
(darts my friend?)
how does she hang the clothes
climb up on herself?
there's a house(white)
a back porch(grey)
just a table there
(don't forget the laundry line)
yes - nobody knows how far it goes(many men have died)
BALONEY/PHOOEY
past the fishing banks
probably past the edge of the earth maybe
OH COME ON
and sometimes there is a chair the table legs they never
move waiting and pressing and the clothesline stop don't move
CHORUS:
well, maybe she should go to school
no,no...she's a table
lena's a white table
and in the afternoon
and in the autumn air
the porch is bare and still
there is a waiting there
and flint the laundry line
apples rolling down the hill
WINDOW:
i hope that she's here
what if she's not here
i don't think she's here
i hope she's not here
don't you think she's here
i don't think she's here
and sometimes there is a chair the table legs they never
move waiting and pressing and the clothesline stop don't move
CHORUS:
well, maybe she should go to school
no,no...she's a table
lena's a white table
well,maybe she should learn to pray
no,no...she's a table
lena's a white table
we saw her waiting by the line
which line? the laundry line
waiting for the clothes to dry
what if she freezes in mid-air?
no no no no no...
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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/
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.
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms.
“Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.
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.