They were successful from the beginning, with their 1981 single "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" setting the stage for the breakthrough success of the album 'Pelican West' (1982). The single "Love Plus One" was even bigger than anything previous, and Haircut 100 seemed poised for stardom just as Heyward decided to seek a solo career. The remainder of the band tried to continue with the album 'Paint and Paint' (1984), with percussionist Mark Fox taking over Heyward's vocal duties, but they broke up soon after.
Although somewhat dismissed as a 'one hit wonder' due to the spread of blockbuster hit "Love Plus One", the band proved influential by the late 00s when new wave revivalist bands such as Vampire Weekend and No Kids emerged employing a similar style of preppy, afrobeat-like guitar pop.
Surprise Me Again
Haircut 100 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I rearrange my hair
Well I can`t take anymore
I bought some natural food
And then I fell on the floor
Well I can`t take anymore
I need a change of address
By the way, why can`t you smile
And in the middle I stayed
But at the end I was sick
I said I`ve got to get out quick
Then you suddenly smiled
You took me by surprise
You suddenly smiled
You took me by again
Well I remember the time
Wrapped up nice and cosy
She was washing my hair
Well I was thinking of midnight, falling in love
Watching the rain fall
When we relax I`m going to sleep on your chest
And listen to your beats
And let`s go to Norway, live in rain and snow
And get totally depressed about nothing
At all really hello
Then you suddenly smiled
You took me by surprise
You suddenly smiled
You took me by again
You suddenly smiled
You suddenly smiled, again and again
You can`t smile
Then you suddenly smiled
You took me by surprise
You suddenly smiled
You took me by again
You suddenly smiled
You suddenly smiled
You suddenly smiled
You suddenly smiled
You took me by again
The song “Surprise Me Again” by Haircut 100 tells the story of a rocky relationship, where one partner had enough and wants to leave, but then the other surprises and changes their mind. In the first verse, the singer recalls the day when his partner said to go away. He tried to make changes such as rearranging his hair and buying natural food, but still found himself on the floor, unable to take it anymore. He then expresses the need for a change of address and questions why his partner can’t smile.
The second verse takes a turn towards nostalgia, with the singer reminiscing about a time when his partner was washing his hair and he was thinking of falling in love and relaxing by listening to her heartbeats. The singer suggests going to Norway and getting totally depressed about nothing at all. The chorus repeats the idea of the partner suddenly smiling and taking the singer by surprise, repeating the phrase again and again.
The lyrics suggest a relationship that has its ups and downs, with moments of frustration and wanting to leave, but also hope and tenderness. The idea of being taken by surprise suggests that there is unexpected joy and love in the relationship, even in the midst of conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I remember the day when she said go away
I remember the specific day when my partner told me to leave or end our relationship.
I rearrange my hair
I try to change my appearance in hopes of feeling better after a negative experience.
Well I can't take anymore
The situation has become unbearable and I cannot continue to tolerate it.
I bought some natural food
I attempted to improve my physical health or overall well-being through better nutrition.
And then I fell on the floor
The situation took a physical and emotional toll on me and caused me to collapse.
I need a change of address
I require a significant and immediate change in my current living situation or environment.
By the way, why can't you smile
Why aren't you happier or more supportive of me during this difficult time?
She said at first it was great
Initially, our relationship was positive and enjoyable.
And in the middle I stayed
As time passed, I remained in the relationship despite some challenges or issues.
But at the end I was sick
Eventually, the relationship caused me to feel physically or emotionally unwell.
I said I've got to get out quick
I realized I needed to end the relationship as soon as possible for my own well-being.
Then you suddenly smiled
At a critical moment, you unexpectedly expressed happiness or positivity.
You took me by surprise
Your reaction was unexpected or unusual given the circumstances.
Well I remember the time
I have a distinct memory of a specific moment or experience.
Wrapped up nice and cosy
We were warmly and comfortably covered, likely physically close to each other.
She was washing my hair
She was taking care of me or engaging in an intimate act.
Well I was thinking of midnight, falling in love
My thoughts were wandering to romantic and dreamy ideals.
Watching the rain fall
Observing the natural world or having a peaceful moment with my partner.
When we relax I'm going to sleep on your chest
In moments of rest or vulnerability, I may seek physical closeness with my partner.
And listen to your beats
I enjoy listening to your heartbeat or the rhythm of your breathing.
And let's go to Norway, live in rain and snow
I desire a change in location or environment, and am suggesting an exciting new possibility with my partner.
And get totally depressed about nothing at all really hello
I may be imagining extreme or unlikely scenarios, but still wish to dream and explore with my partner.
You can't smile
You are not expressing happiness or positivity, and may be causing me distress.
You suddenly smiled, again and again
Your sudden displays of happiness or positivity continued to surprise and affect me.
You took me by again
Your behavior or mood had a significant impact on my emotional state or well-being once more.
You suddenly smiled
Your unexpected expression of happiness brought me joy or relief.
You suddenly smiled
Your unexpected expression of happiness brought me joy or relief.
You took me by again
Your behavior or mood had a significant impact on my emotional state or well-being once more.
You suddenly smiled
Your unexpected expression of happiness brought me joy or relief.
You suddenly smiled
Your unexpected expression of happiness brought me joy or relief.
You suddenly smiled
Your unexpected expression of happiness brought me joy or relief.
You took me by again
Your behavior or mood had a significant impact on my emotional state or well-being once more.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NICK HEYWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pennypay1
I was crazy about this band when they first charted in the U.S. I played 'Pelican West' all the time, and I raved about the album so much on the phone with my dad that when I visited him out of state a few weeks later, he'd already bought his own copy. We taped it to play in the car, too, and driving around listening is one of my favorite memories. I figured it wasn't that often a dad would happily listen to his 10-year-old daughter's favorite band all summer, and genuinely like the music just as much!
@jasondancaster3296
Always loved this song - 2nd best on the album for me, after 'Love Plus One'
@altsound1
wow great song !
@patrickoconnor8172
Great album often underrated
@julieharrison7417
Loved this song and album my uncle bougbt it for my birthdsy
@tonyquek1
great album but sadly only got to # 2 on the UK album chart ...