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By Pages:   1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10   Next 10 Pages Add Your New Review About The Song The Reviews about No Surprises (page 8/ 11) ------ performed by Radiohead No Surprises | Reviewer: Anonymous | 1/8/08 I think a lot of people try to analyze lyrics for exactly what they mean and in my opinion that's part of what makes music great. At the same time, it doesn't matter what the song was written about, it's more about how the song relates to you. To me, No Surprises is simply about getting away from everything and living a simple life, something that I think a lot of people want to do, including me. Why do I need a garden or anything material? What is the significance of that? I just want a quiet life, like the song says. I love this song, and pretty much all Radiohead because their music is so well written and I can relate to most of the songs. I'll Take a Quiet Life | Reviewer: Danae | 1/9/08 Sorry in advance for quoting most of the song in my interpretation of it. No,this isn't really a review, but good point MIXER. First- this is among the most beautifully sad songs I know. Doubly so because of it's upbeat sound (which allows the lyrics to sneak up on you). I get the feeling that it sets up the situation. The first three lines illustrate WHY a person would "look so tired-unhappy". I think that the government part is saying that there's no point in maintaining society for him, personally. "I'll take a quiet life". It sounds like a song about a person who's so damaged that all they can handle is a life with "no alarms, and no surprises". Separate from the rest of the lyrics in the song, I think that "such a pretty house, such a pretty garden" have a separate meaning as well. It's like a sidenote, where the meaning is in the tone. It's as though he's repeating what he hears bitterly. Where what others say as compliments are small jabs for him- It doesn't matter how nice his house is, he's dying on the inside, and no one can see that. Those two lines are my favorite part, something about the utter agony in which they're sung. . . Even the plea for a quite life. . he knows that it's futile. . . It's not an exact "hey, I wanna kill myself". . . but death seems like the only option. who cares? | Reviewer: MIXER | 12/28/07 Since when did reviews try and nail down the precise meaning of a lyric? Unless Thom Yorke himself steps up and explains exactly what inspired the song, and what all the references mean, it's a fairly pointless exercise. Anyone who's ever written a song knows that they're rarely explicit or literal. They are fed by the imagingation; the melody or the structure dictate certain lines or images to the writer, seeking the right fit; and a whole other load of factors mean that it's foolhardy to approach the lyrics as though they are any kind of absolute statement, whose meaning can be fully grasped. That's not what art is about. Having said that, reading over the first handful of 'reviews' here (more like lyrical exegesis) then it sounds like you're all on the right track. But my point is, even if one of you nails it, precisely and utterly, where does that leave you? It says nothing that the song doesn't already say better. I wanted to say the song is haunting and beautiful, and one of my favourites by Radiohead. And that's about it. I love listening to it. my final bellyache | Reviewer: Anonymous | 12/13/07 usually I am confused about everything but I think this lyrics is about people that are bored with their life. and even though they might have their house and their and a garden they still want to commit suicide... maybe it isnt about that at all, but thats how my life is and I want to go back to the days I was a kid... I hate this house its a prison to me :) is all about consume | Reviewer: Anonymous | 11/30/07 "such a pretty house and such a pretty garden" many people think that to be someone in life you gotta have a nice house, a nice car, maybe a dog and a great job. I think this part refers to those people. !obviously you dont need any of those things! no surprises | Reviewer: Anonymous | 11/27/07 It seems to me it's about suicide- "a handshake of carbon monoxide" "no alarms and no surprises" -meaning a silent death (such as inhaling carbon monoxide) and "get me out of here." It could just be about bloated ideals that are never fufilled and giving up as Alex said. A heart that's full up like a landfill | Reviewer: laserblack | 11/24/07 like that guy on 20/11/2007 said: "feeling weighted down, almost out of breath despite the jingle like melody. Like a musical Brutus smiling music can conceal the knife aimed at your guts." great i'm not a huge fan of radiohead generally, but this song is touched by genius somehow for me its about that point you get to in your life when you wonder if your fight against the hypocrites, the liars, the powers that be, is basically self-defeating as it starts to take toll on you and only serves to make you unhappy. maybe its better to just get on with your life now - take the carbon monoxide handshake... shut it out - let your brain become numb and this (album?) will be my "final bellyache" my last statement about the status quo. "bring down the government" sounds to me almost like a self-depreciating joke as no one ever brought down a government. take the quiet life instead, no alarms no suprises. let my house and my garden become my preoccupation. but of cousre, you cant switch off... the anger and a sense of unfullfillment remains, maybe even boredom comes in, as the song finishes with the main vocal sings "no alarms & no suprises" while the backing sings "get me outta here". but to me overall it has a way of saying the unsayable with the music - than it does by lyrics alone... something unresolved. its an awesome song. no surprises | Reviewer: Particiapnt | 11/20/07 I heard this song when i was 16 years old. I remember feeling weighted down, almost out of breath despite the jingle like melody. Like a musical Brutus smiling music can conceal the knife aimed at your guts. It hurts beautifully. It could be a precursor on how to disappear completely I agree with Alex Rome | Reviewer: chamby | 11/15/07 Radiohead's show on Pinkpop Festival, Landgraaf, Netherlands: and before 'no surprises' (Thom Yorke said): "this song is for all of those who still believe that governments are in 'tight'(?) control of their countries..and not corporations.......suckers!!" see the video in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmYd8hODRLA bring down the government | Reviewer: tcg | 10/15/07 Personally, I think the song is about a suicide by carbon monoxide, watching the house and the garden as he dies... as for "no alarms" -- remember these are smart lads from public school... "no alarums" in the Shakespearean sense... no fuss, no bother, I'm just going quietly please (get me out of here). Add Your New Review About The Song By Pages:   1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10   Next 10 Pages