Their first release was a double-A-side 7" single on Off The Wall (later signed to Peacefrog) that had two tracks: "Twice" and "Test".
Nagano was born and raised in Göteborg to a Japanese father and American mother. She grew up listening to American folk, but always had an affinity for R&B. Keyboardist Wirenstrand spent his childhood in Småland before moving to Göteborg where listened to a lot of Swedish folk music before getting into electronic music. Bodin grew up listening to early hip-hop and jazz. Fredrik was influenced by experimental, noise and electro house.
Nagano and Bodin play live with José González. Bodin also drums with Peps Perrson, a Swedish blues/reggae artist. Swedish electronic jazz duo Koop's albums Waltz for Koop and Koop Islands feature Yukimi Nagano's vocals on several tracks.
The band collaborated with Gorillaz on two tracks ("Empire Ants" and "To Binge") from their 2010 released album, Plastic Beach. Little Dragon also collaborated with Maximum Balloon (the solo project of David Andrew Sitek, producer and member of TV On the Radio), for one track entitled "If You Return". In 2011, the band's collaboration with SBTRKT on "Wildfire" was released as the lead single from his self-titled début LP.
.Constant Surprises
Little Dragon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking at the trees
Got the feeling that they
Were looking back at me
Thoughts that occurred to me not of the usual kind
And I don’t take that granted, no
I don’t call them mine, I don’t call them mine
‘Cause in my life things are built on, are built on
(Constant surprises)
Coming my way
Some call it coincidence
But I like to call it fate
(Constant surprises)
Coming my way
Some call it coincidence
But I like to call it fate
The higher forces want to connect
Last night in my dream I was talking to you
You know who you are, were you dreaming too?
‘Cause in my life things are built on, are built on
(Constant surprises)
Coming my way
Some call it coincidence
But I like to call it fate
(Constant surprises)
Coming my way
Some call it coincidence
But I like to call it fate
Then on my way home I met this guy
He was not so shy, you know, not that kind
We spoke then suddenly I could read his mind
You think it’s mad but I don’t fool myself, you think it's odd
'Cause in my life, in my life things are built on
They built on, they built on
(Constant surprises)
Coming my way
Some call it coincidence
But I like to call it fate
(Constant surprises)
Coming my way
Some call it coincidence
But I like to call it fate
The lyrics of Little Dragon's "Constant Surprises" are an expression of the singer's belief in fate and the unexpected occurrences that happen in life. The song begins with the singer walking home and feeling as though the trees are looking back at them. This is a metaphor for the sense of being watched or observed that some people experience, but it also suggests a sense of connection with nature. The stream-of-consciousness lyrics that follow describe random thoughts that occur to the singer and the feeling of not fully owning them, as though they come from a higher power or the universe.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "constant surprises coming my way," which refers to the unexpected events that happen in life. These surprises are attributed to fate, rather than coincidence, which suggests a belief in a predetermined destiny. The lyrics suggest that there is a thread of fate that connects people and events, as evidenced by the dream the singer has about talking to someone who seems to know them. The song also touches on the idea of the singer being able to "read" another person's mind, which suggests a kind of telepathic connection that goes beyond the physical realm.
Overall, the lyrics of "Constant Surprises" are a poetic expression of the singer's belief in fate and the interconnectedness of all things. The song celebrates the possibility of unexpected events and the idea that there is a larger force at work in the universe.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking home
I was strolling back to my place
Looking at the trees
I observed the trees around me
Got the feeling that they
I suddenly sensed that they
Were looking back at me
Seemed to be observing me as well
Thoughts that occurred to me not of the usual kind
Out of the ordinary ideas came to mind
And I don’t take that granted, no
I don't take this for granted
I don’t call them mine, I don’t call them mine
I don't claim them as my own
‘Cause in my life things are built on, are built on
Because my life is based on, is built on
(Constant surprises)
Unexpected events keep occurring
Coming my way
Happening in my life
Some call it coincidence
Some believe it's a random occurrence
But I like to call it fate
But I prefer to think it's destiny
The higher forces want to connect
The universe wants to make a connection
Last night in my dream I was talking to you
I had a dream where we conversed
You know who you are, were you dreaming too?
You know yourself, did you also dream?
Then on my way home I met this guy
Later, during my trip back home, I encountered a man
He was not so shy, you know, not that kind
He was quite outgoing and not timid at all
We spoke then suddenly I could read his mind
We conversed and then I was able to understand his thoughts without him speaking them
You think it’s mad but I don’t fool myself, you think it's odd
You might consider it insane, but I am not deluding myself, you might find it strange
They built on, they built on
They accumulated, they kept building up
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Erik Oskar Bodin, Fredrik Daniel Wallin, Hakan Wirenstrand, Yukimi Eleanora Nagano
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MystixOfficial
[Verse 1]
I was walking home, looking at the trees
Got the feeling that they were looking back at me
Thoughts that occurred to me were not of the usual kind
And I don’t take that for granted, no
I don’t call them mine, I don’t call them mine
‘Cause in my life things are built on
They're built on
[Chorus]
Constant surprises coming my way
Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate
Constant surprises coming my way
Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate
[Verse 2]
The higher forces want to connect
Last night in my dream, I was talking to you
You know who you are, were you dreaming too?
‘Cause in my life, things are built on
They're built on
[Chorus]
Constant surprises coming my way
Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate
Constant surprises coming my way
Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate
[Verse 3]
Then on my way home, I met this guy
He was not so shy, you know, not that kind
We spoke, then suddenly, I could read his mind
You think it’s mad, but I don’t fool myself
You think it's odd, 'cause in my life
In my life, things are built on
They're built on
They're built on
[Chorus]
Constant surprises coming my way
Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate
Constant surprises coming my way
Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate
Constant surprises coming my way
Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate
Constant surprises coming my way
Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate
Constant surprises coming my way
Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate
@edwardofmouth
The mix on this track is next level. The engineer got that snare RIGHT in the pocket. The dynamics of the vocals. The balance is next level. Love this song with my entire soul.
@skyboundzoo
Little dragon mixing is almost like the decorative frame to an elaborate painting
I feel the same way about their songs - technical feats as much as they are art
@franconius85
this song It's underrated even by little dragon fans
@Haley7marie
Choncino SERIOUSLY
@emmanueloluga9770
no lol, this is the 2nd most viewed song by little dragon, although this is the official channel, another channel has this video with over 2.5 million views
@albertonino2652
The whole album. Caught them live years ago, didn't even touch this album. Haven't gotten into anything else of theirs.
@ingletingle6195
wrong this is def a strong one
@bernlin2000
Probably true for most of their first album, too. The whole thing is a total treat.
@agrt4889
Little Dragon got me through some of the hardest times in my life. I am forever grateful for them. This song makes me feel, I can't explain it.. when nothing in the world, no place, no person, no set nor setting, feels like home, this song does, if that makes sense. I feel warm like I am sitting in front of a camp fire that's keeping me warm, surrounded by people whom love and care about me and look after me, in a place familiar and secure. Whenever I feel insecure, unsafe, or like I am enveloped in negative energy I just play some Little Dragon and it goes away. Whenever I move into a new place I play Little Dragon to cleanse my new home with good energy. Most nights I sleep with Little Dragon playing in the background and if I fall asleep before putting something on I am guaranteed to have nightmares. I'm not sure I'd be alive if it weren't for Little Dragon. I don't see how else I could've gotten through those dark times. And they continue to get me through dark times day after day.
@SmokeyChipOatley
I know you posted this 3 years+ ago but I just wanted to let you know I feel the same way.
That’s all lol ❤️