"Special Surprise" featured guest contributions from Rio Hemopo, Craig Terris and Samuel Flynn Scott.
Special Surprise
Luke Buda Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I live in the future
But stuck in the past
Picking holes in all I've said and done
Where nothing gets done
I guess I've never really been the same
Since I found my mother weeping
Since I found my mother weeping
Since I saw my mama cry
Go up a wee hill
And down a deadend street
This is where we build our nest of love
Where we look down from above
At a city
Where no one gets paid
And by the time that you get home from work
I'll have cooked and washed the dishes
And so you tell me that I've not ever been the same
Since I saw my mum
Since I found my mother weeping
Since I found my mother weeping
Since I saw my mama cry
In "Special Surprise," Luke Buda expresses a feeling of being caught between the past and the future. He is physically living in the present but mentally stuck in the past, constantly criticizing himself and others for their shortcomings. He seems to feel out of place in a city where nothing seems to get done, as it stands in contrast to his own productive domestic life, where he cooks and cleans for his partner.
The emotional depth of the song comes to light when he mentions finding his mother weeping and seeing her cry. This traumatic event has clearly left a mark on him and impacted the way he experiences the world. It may be the cause of his constant self-criticism and difficulty feeling like he belongs.
The lyrics are open to interpretation, but one possible meaning is the theme of the struggle between personal growth and nostalgia. Buda is grappling with his own insecurities and past trauma, while also trying to maintain a healthy relationship and a fruitful life. Ultimately, the song ends on a somber note, leaving the listener with a sense of melancholy and emotional complexity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah...
An extended vocal expression that sets the emotional tone of the song.
I live in the future
I tend to think ahead and be forward-looking.
But stuck in the past
Despite my future-focused mindset, I feel held back by my past experiences.
Picking holes in all I've said and done
I tend to criticize myself and find faults in everything I have said or done.
I count the faults of everyone in the city
I also have a tendency to pick apart other people's flaws, which makes me feel even more disconnected from my community.
Where nothing gets done
I live in a place where progress is slow and it feels like we're not achieving anything.
I guess I've never really been the same
All of these feelings have changed me in some way, and I don't quite recognize myself anymore.
Since I found my mother weeping
The turning point seems to be a moment where I found my mother crying. This event has had a profound impact on me.
Since I saw my mama cry
This is a more emotional way of expressing the same idea.
Go up a wee hill
Let's move to a new location.
And down a deadend street
This new place might seem like a dead end, but we're going to make it work for us.
This is where we build our nest of love
We're going to create a safe and loving home for ourselves.
Where we look down from above
Figuratively, we might have a better perspective on things from our new home.
At a city where no one gets paid
Our old home was a place where people were struggling financially, and this is something we want to move away from.
And by the time that you get home from work
Assuming my partner works outside the home.
I'll have cooked and washed the dishes
I'll have taken care of the household chores so we can spend quality time together.
And so you tell me that I've not ever been the same
My partner notices the changes in me since the moment I saw my mother crying.
Since I saw my mum
Reiterating that this event has had a major impact on me.
Since I found my mother weeping
Reiterating this idea once again, as if to emphasize its importance.
Since I found my mother weeping
Another repetition of this key idea.
Since I saw my mama cry
A final restatement of the pivotal moment that changed me.
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.