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"
Amateur
Nada Surf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could be happy
Now I can sit not runaway
stupidly laughing
Wipe out all self-pity
It's slowing me down
Turn off feeling pretty
Dressing up dressing down
I walk around the city, out of my way
Looking for something
I've got all that I need to save my day
So why'm I running?
You said I should get professional help
that always makes me cry
I know I'm just an amateur but
I've gotta try
I had birthday party and it was packed
Got friends who love me
We hung a disco ball up and watched the lights
They were so lovely
You said I should get professional help
that always makes me cry
I know I'm just an amateur but
I've gotta try
I've gotta try
When exactly are we?
I get the decades mixed up
I like the streets when they're empty
I like the streets when they're empty
I like the streets when they're empty
I can make the rest up
I walk around the city
Out of my way
Looking for something
I've got all that I need to save my day
So why'm I running?
You said I should get professional help
that always makes me cry
I know I'm just an amateur but
I've gotta try
Every day is new years eve
Every night is the last night
Every day is new years eve
Every time is the last time
You said I should get professional help
that always makes me cry
I know I'm just an amateur but
I've gotta try
I've gotta try
The song "Amateur" by Nada Surf talks about the struggles of feeling inadequate and the pressure to seek professional help. The first stanza talks about how the person the singer is addressing makes them feel better about themselves and want to stop running away from their problems. They want to stop feeling sorry for themselves and stop caring about how they look or present themselves. They want to be happy and the person addressed is helping them achieve that.
The second verse goes back to the idea of running away and looking for something but not knowing what it is. The person addressed advises the singer to get professional help but they don't want to because it makes them cry. Instead, they continuously try to figure it out on their own, even though they know they're not an expert. They feel like an amateur and need to try to find their own way.
The chorus repeats the idea of needing to try even though they're not a professional. They want to be better but they're not sure how to do it. The last two stanzas talk about how every day is a new opportunity to change and every night feels like it could be the last. The singer is trying to find their place and be happy without needing someone else's help.
Line by Line Meaning
You make me feel like I'm OK
Your presence in my life is uplifting.
I could be happy
I have the potential for happiness.
Now I can sit not runaway
I can stay in one place without wanting to escape.
Stupidly laughing
I laugh without inhibition.
Wipe out all self-pity
I need to stop feeling sorry for myself.
It's slowing me down
Self-pity is inhibiting my progress.
Turn off feeling pretty
I need to stop focusing on my appearance.
Dressing up dressing down
It doesn't matter how I look, I should focus on what matters.
I walk around the city, out of my way
I wander aimlessly through my surroundings.
Looking for something
I want to find a purpose or meaning in my life.
I've got all that I need to save my day
I have the tools to improve my situation.
So why'm I running?
Why do I keep trying to escape my problems?
You said I should get professional help, that always makes me cry
The thought of needing professional help brings me to tears.
I know I'm just an amateur but I've gotta try
I may not be an expert, but I need to take action to improve my situation.
I had birthday party and it was packed, got friends who love me
I have people in my life who care about me and celebrate with me.
We hung a disco ball up and watched the lights, they were so lovely
Simple pleasures bring me joy.
When exactly are we? I get the decades mixed up
Time feels confusing and disorienting to me.
I like the streets when they're empty, I can make the rest up
I enjoy the freedom of making my own meaning in a blank environment.
Every day is new years eve, every night is the last night, every time is the last time
I want to live every moment fully and without regret.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KRISTOFFER ERIKSSON, NIKLAS JARL, MATTIAS ANDREASSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind