no surprises
Marissa Nadler feat. Black Hole Infinity Lyrics
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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
A handshake of carbon monoxide
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
The lyrics to Marissa Nadler's song No Surprises convey the desire for a life free from pain, stress, and disappointment. The opening line "A heart that's full up like a landfill" suggests a feeling of emotional overload, as though the heart contains so much that it is overflowing, weighed down by the things that have been hoarded, both good and bad. The next line, "A job that slowly kills you" suggests the drudgery of daily life and the realization that one's career is taking over, consuming one's life so much that it is a slow death in itself. The bruises that won't heal further convey a feeling of pain and tiredness, as if trying to overcome the difficulties, but ultimately failing.
The chorus of the song speaks to the desire for a quiet life, free from the chaos of the world's problems. The line "Bring down the government, they don't speak for us" implies a lack of trust in the powers that be and suggests that the government does not represent the people as a whole. The desire for a quiet life is echoed in the line "no alarms and no surprises," which suggests a life without any unexpected disruptions, a life without the constant disruption of one's flow. The final lines of the song, "Such a pretty house, and such a pretty garden, no alarms and no surprises please," further suggest the desire for a tranquil life without any worry or concern.
Line by Line Meaning
A heart that's full up like a landfill
Feeling emotionally overburdened and overwhelmed like a landfill that is full and can no longer accept any more waste.
A job that slowly kills you
Being stuck in a job that drains the life and energy out of you, causing slow emotional and physical deterioration.
Bruises that won't heal
Physical and emotional wounds that remain unhealed, causing continuous pain and discomfort.
You look so tired, unhappy
Observing someone who appears exhausted and miserable, possibly from living in a state of emotional distress and chaos.
Bring down the government
Expressing frustration and resentment towards a government that is perceived as corrupt and abusive, and advocating for its downfall.
They don't, they don't speak for us
Feeling unheard and neglected by the governing authorities, who seem to ignore the needs and concerns of the common people.
I'll take a quiet life
Prefering a simple, peaceful and uneventful existence, free from the noise and chaos of modern life.
A handshake of carbon monoxide
Choosing to end one's life through suicide by inhaling poisonous gas, represented metaphorically as a handshake.
No alarms and no surprises
Desiring a life without stressful or unexpected events that cause discomfort and anxiety, symbolised by alarms and surprises.
Silent
Yearning for peace and stillness, for an inner calm and quietness that can provide a respite from the noisy world.
This is my final fit
Taking a final decision to end one's life, possibly after experiencing many futile attempts to cope with the difficulties of life.
My final bellyache with
Signifying the last expression of discomfort and pain that someone will have before dying, related to the metaphorical ingestion of poison.
No alarms and no surprises please
A plea for a peaceful and painless exit from life, without any disturbing or unexpected events that could make the process harder.
Such a pretty house
Observing the superficial beauty of a house and its surroundings, while ignoring the underlying emotional and psychological pain of its occupants.
And such a pretty garden
Noticing the apparent serenity and beauty of a garden, while being unaware of the emotional turmoil and distress of the person who tends it.
Contributed by Cameron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.