Surprise
F.O.F. Lyrics


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A heart that's full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal
You look so tired-unhappy
Bring down the government
They don't, they don't speak for us
I'll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide

With no alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent

This is my final fit
My final bellyache

With no alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please

Such a pretty house
And such a pretty garden

No alarms and no surprises




No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please

Overall Meaning

The central theme of the lyrics to F.O.F.'s "Surprise" is a sentiment of disillusionment and disappointment with contemporary society. The opening lines express the singer's sense of being overwhelmed and weighed down by the pressures of living in a world that seems to place little value on their well-being. The "heart that's full up like a landfill" is a metaphor for the singer's feelings of suffocation, stress, and general malaise. The "job that slowly kills you" underscores a similar sense of hopelessness, as does the reference to "bruises that won't heal." The singer seems fatigued, both physically and emotionally, and consequently yearns for a simpler, quieter existence in which they can avoid the constant bombardment of noise and stress.


The call to "bring down the government" is a political statement, but it's also a cry of desperation from someone who feels powerless to control their circumstances. The singer rejects the idea that those in power are speaking on their behalf, and instead advocates for a quieter, gentler life. The reference to "carbon monoxide" is a reference to the subtle, insidious ways in which the singer feels their life is being taken from them, against their will.


The refrain of "no alarms and no surprises" is a plea for stability and predictability, a desire for a life without unexpected twists and turns. The inclusion of the line "such a pretty house and such a pretty garden" adds to the sense of unease, as it highlights the possibility of superficial beauty masking deeper troubles. The repeated insistence on "no alarms and no surprises, please" underscores the singer's fear of the unknown and their longing for a life that is, at least to some extent, under their control.


Line by Line Meaning

A heart that's full up like a landfill
Feeling emotionally weighed down and suffocated, like a landfill stuffed to capacity


A job that slowly kills you
Working in a job that takes a toll on your mental and physical health, slowly leading to exhaustion


Bruises that won't heal
Lingering emotional and psychological wounds that refuse to go away


You look so tired-unhappy
Appearing fatigued and discontent, a telltale sign of feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of life


Bring down the government
Calling for political revolution, a rebellion against the status quo and the powerful who hold control


They don't, they don't speak for us
The government's policies and decisions fail to represent or cater to the concerns of the people


I'll take a quiet life
Preferably, a life with less noise and fewer distractions where you can find peace and contentment


A handshake of carbon monoxide
A metaphorical suicide, taking your own life quietly and easily without drawing attention


With no alarms and no surprises
A desire for a predictable and steady life, without sudden shocks or disruptive changes


Silent, silent
Emphasizing the importance of peace and quiet in life, both internal and external


This is my final fit
The end of an emotional breakdown or outburst, a final burst of frustration


My final bellyache
The last complaint or expression of discomfort, indicating acceptance of one's situation


Such a pretty house
An idyllic, charming, and comfortable home that masks the realities of everyday life


And such a pretty garden
The beauty of the outside world, juxtaposed against the sadness and dissatisfaction within


No alarms and no surprises please
A plea for a mundane and uneventful life, devoid of unexpected or shocking occurrences




Lyrics Β© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLIN CHARLES GREENWOOD, EDWARD JOHN O'BRIEN, JONATHAN RICHARD GUY GREENWOOD, PHILIP SELWAY, PHILIP JAMES SELWAY, THOMAS YORKE, THOMAS EDWARD YORKE

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