The band is best known for the song "Popular", released as a single from their aformentioned debut. The song reached #11 on the US Billboard Alternative Songs chart and propelled the album itself to #63 on the Billboard 200. Each of the verses in "Popular" are extracted from the 1964 guide 'Penny's Guide to Teen-Age Charm and Popularity', a work by former teen television actress Gloria Winters, and the lyrics are sarcastically spoken, with a calm, deadpan voice used initially that gradually builds Kinison-style in teen angst and rage.
The groups follow-up effort, an album titled 'The Proximity Effect', failed to garner as much attention due to music industry shenanigans. The band explains on their official website:
Nada Surf recorded The Proximity Effect in 1998 with Fred Maher (Luna, Lou Reed, Matthew Sweet). It was a mighty fine record. Elektra [now part of Atlantic], claiming they "didn’t hear a single," asked the band to go back in the studio to hunt for one. As this was months after they’d handed the record in, the band refused and were dropped. It’s pretty safe to say, though, that Elektra didn’t appear to be "listening" very hard. The Proximity Effect was released as scheduled in Europe. Critics loved it and fans bought it. Elektra still didn’t care, but the band still did. So after wrestling the rights back, Nada Surf released The Proximity Effect stateside in 2000 on their own label, MarDev Records, and toured accordingly...
After a three-year wait, the group released Let Go through Barsuk Records to positive reviews. The song "Inside of Love" received some airplay and even reached #73 in the United Kingdom, a feat which neither "Popular" nor the other two previously released singles from Let Go achieved. On the strength of the single, the album reached #31 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart.
The band's fourth album, The Weight Is a Gift, was released in Germany on September 5, 2005, by City Slang Records, in Japan/Australia September 12th and in the US September 13th by Barsuk, and in the rest of Europe September 19th by V2/City Slang. It was produced by Chris Walla of the band Death Cab for Cutie, Louie Lino and Nada Surf. The album's lead single is "Always Love."
In 2008, Lucky was released. In 2010 the band returned to the scene triumphantly with the cover-album If I Had a Hi-Fi, revealing a diversity in source material whilst re-moulding it into trademark Nada Surf songs.
The band announced a new record will be released in January, 2012 called " The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy." The first single is called "When I was Young" and is available free to download from the band's website. On Oct 24th, 2011, the song was also featured as an NPR "Song of the Day"
80 Windows
Nada Surf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a bar you cannot talk openly to anyone you don't already know.
4 year olds, they have got the right idea: they jump the line and hit it on the nose.
When we sit and we get quiet, then we look and see who's home across the way.
There are 80 windows we can see,
It's christmastime and they all have the same tree.
You tell me the patterns you already see,
You said you like the one with the father who always eats with his son.
I like the rows of lights because they keep me calm.
I feel far away from you. So what else is new?
The moon is closer to the sun than I am to anyone.
When we sit and we get quiet, then we look and see who's home across the way.
You said you like the one with the father who always eats with his son.
I like the rows of lights because they keep me calm.
I feel far away from you. So what else is new?
The moon is closer to the sun than I am to anyone.
I feel far away from you. So what else is new?
The moon is closer to the sun than I am to anyone.
The moon is closer to the sun than I am to anyone.
The moon is closer to the sun than I am to anyone.
The lyrics to Nada Surf's "80 Windows" describe the isolation and loneliness that can come with living in a big city. The song opens with the image of clusters of people talking secretly to each other, unable to connect with anyone outside their social circles in a crowded bar. The singer contrasts this with the carefree attitude of four-year-olds who fearlessly jump the line and hit the nail on the head, suggesting that adults could benefit from taking a page out of their book.
The second verse turns to a more specific image: the view from the singer's window at Christmastime, when they can see 80 other windows in the building across the way. They wonder if the people in those other apartments can see them too and share their experience of feeling far away from their loved ones. The singer and their partner discuss which apartment they like best, with one preferring the one with a father who always eats with his son and the other drawn to the calming rows of lights.
Line by Line Meaning
Clusters of people talking secretly to each other.
In a bar you cannot talk openly to anyone you don't already know.
4-year-olds, they have got the right idea: they jump the line and hit it on the nose.
Children are not restricted by social norms and can interact freely with whoever they want.
When we sit and we get quiet, then we look and see who's home across the way.
The singer and their partner watch their neighbors through the windows in silence.
There are 80 windows we can see, It's Christmastime and they all have the same tree.
The view of the 80 windows is uniform and the decor reflects the season.
You tell me the patterns you already see, I wonder if they see us in our bed.
The partners observe patterns in their neighbors’ behavior and wonder if they are being watched as well.
You said you like the one with the father who always eats with his son. I like the rows of lights because they keep me calm.
Each partner has a favorite window to observe and finds a different aspect to enjoy.
I feel far away from you. So what else is new? The moon is closer to the sun than I am to anyone.
The singer feels emotionally distant from their partner and this is a common occurrence. They feel isolated and alone.
The moon is closer to the sun than I am to anyone.
The singer feels disconnected from everyone including their partner.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DANIEL PRIETO CASTRO LORCA, IRA ELLIOT, MATTHEW RORISON CAWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angela Fnollie
Someone very dear to me had me listen to this album… i was hooked straight away. Love the sound, love the melancholy of the lyrics that still give me the chills… seen Nada Surf three times over time in Utrecht (at a venue / location that doesn’t exist anymore) and in Amsterdam (Paradiso). Sweet people they all are…
Paulo Santos
After 10 years I hear this song again... And I still love it!!!!
Nick Taylor
Is it 20 now?
notyoursavior78
Great band. I loved "The Proximity Effect" album.
Geoff Ryall
Nada Surf...aahhh I almost forgot them. But how could I forget them, a brilliant band that are so underrated. I remember seeing them about 7-8 years ago at a tiny venue when they came to the UK. I'll never forget it! Loved every minute of it, and the fact that they came to my town, Cardiff!
Championette
The moon is closer to the sun, than I am to anyone...❤
Championette
Dobar Nogometaš
They really are. 🖤
partisan72
Great vid...You've sublimely captured the feeling of loneliness and alienation of this amazing song.
luke182777
😭 this song is so perfect.
Bremaro1 Bogley
Great Song. So touching. Saw them live for the first time. Awesome.