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"
Do It Again
Nada Surf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I thought that you knew the way
I'd open my mouth
If I had something smart to say
I bought a stack of books
I didn't read a thing
It's like I'm sitting here
Let's do it again
Come on, let's do it again
Please, let's do it again
The hum of the clock
Is a faraway place
The azalea air holding your face
You're lying down
And the moon is sideways
From the hot to the cold
It never gets old
I spend all my energy
Staying upright
And I like the masking noise quiet
Of your breathing nearby
I want you lazy science
I want some peace
Are you the future?
Show me the keys
When I accelerate
I remember why it's good to be alive
Like a twenty-five cent game
Maybe this weight was a gift
Like I had to see what I could lift
I spend all my energy
Walking upright
The song "Do It Again" by Nada Surf explores the idea of trying to recapture a past experience or feeling, but instead finding oneself in a situation where they are simply going through the motions. The singer wishes he could once more feel the excitement and inspiration of achieving something meaningful but feels he is waiting in vain. He has books but no motivation to read them and is waiting for something, perhaps a sign or a spark of passion to reignite in his life. Even as he lies beside a loved one, enjoying their closeness, he still feels a sense of restlessness within him. He yearns for something that will make him feel alive again, that will remind him why it's good to be alive.
The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and ennui that many people can relate to. The singer is looking for purpose and meaning in his life, but can't seem to find it. The repetition of the lines "Let's do it again, come on, let's do it again, please let's do it again" is a plea for a chance to feel that sense of accomplishment or excitement once more, even though he's not sure what exactly he's asking for. The use of sensory details, such as the hum of the clock and the azalea air, create a vivid atmosphere, helping the listener to tangibly feel the mood of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'd snap to attention
I would be alert and attentive
If I thought that you knew the way
If I believed you had knowledge or guidance
I'd open my mouth
I would speak up
If I had something smart to say
If I had something intelligent or insightful to contribute
I bought a stack of books
I acquired many books
I didn't read a thing
I did not read any of them
It's like I'm sitting here
I feel as though I am doing nothing
Waiting for birds to sing
Anticipating the sound of birdsong while doing little else
Let's do it again
Let's repeat what we have already done
Come on, let's do it again
An encouragement to repeat a past experience
Please, let's do it again
A polite request to repeat a past experience
The hum of the clock
The sound of the clock's ticking
Is a faraway place
It seems distant or removed
The azalea air holding your face
Describing the scent of azaleas surrounding someone's face
You're lying down
The person being described is reclining
And the moon is sideways
The moon is not in its usual orientation
From the hot to the cold
Moving from warm to cool temperatures
It never gets old
This experience never loses its appeal
I spend all my energy
I use all my strength
Staying upright
To maintain a standing position
And I like the masking noise quiet
Background noise that covers other sounds, but is soft and soothing
Of your breathing nearby
The gentle sound of someone breathing close by
I want you lazy science
Desire for someone's companionship and relaxation
I want some peace
Wishing for tranquility
Are you the future?
A question about what the future holds
Show me the keys
Provide the answer or direction to the future
When I accelerate
When I move faster
I remember why it's good to be alive
I become more aware of the positive aspects of living
Like a twenty-five cent game
Referring to a video game that is cheap and enjoyable
Maybe this weight was a gift
Suggesting that a burden or hardship may have a positive purpose
Like I had to see what I could lift
Exploring one's abilities and limits
I spend all my energy
Again referring to using all of one's energy
Walking upright
Maintaining good posture and physical stability while walking
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jimmymedina7480
Me encanta la música que hace Nada Surf
@mxa9063
This song gives me strength. The power of music.
@marcusavelarrr
That's an amazing performance of a great song! Tha'ts what I call pure tallent. They're brilliant!
@carriep5609
This song saved my life
@magicalelement1687
Carrie Phebus mine too. The worst time ever and then I heard this and realised what that weight was
@Cobo10
It killed me
@jamikedike6837
They are so great
@flavinhafly8942
Essa música é d+
@marcusavelarrr
Concordo!
@MoiraRussell
Wow, beautiful - his voice sounds just the same.