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"
Janine
Nada Surf Lyrics
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He must think I'm a fool.
Janine, don't go with those guys, what's in it for you?
In another day, the dream it will appear.
I touched you on the arm, you were so warm.
It's such a joke, what he asked me to do.
He must think I'm a fool.
Whatever they say, in another day,
Your dream it will appear.
I touched you on the arm, I meant you no harm.
It's such a joke, what he asked me to do.
He must think I'm a fool.
Janine, you know I'm your friend,
Whatever they say, in another day,
Your dream it will appear.
I touched you on the arm, I meant you no harm.
It's such a joke, what he asked me to do.
He must think I'm a fool.
Janine, don't go with those guys, what's in it for you?
In another day, your dream it will appear.
I touched you on the arm, you were so warm
The song "Janine" by Nada Surf is about a woman named Janine who is being urged by someone (likely a friend) not to go with a group of guys. The singer cannot understand why Janine would go with these guys and suggests that there is nothing in it for her. The singer reiterates that they are Janine's friend and that she should wait for her dream to come true in another day. The singer touches Janine's arm and reassures her that they meant no harm.
The song can be interpreted in a number of ways, but it seems to revolve around the theme of caution and the idea that sometimes you need to wait for something better to come along. The singer doesn't want Janine to make a mistake that they perceive as foolish, and instead, urges her to wait for her real dream to appear.
The line "I touched you on the arm, you were so warm" adds a layer of intimacy to the song. It suggests that the singer and Janine have a close relationship and that they genuinely care for her well-being. This line also serves to reinforce the point that the singer means no harm to Janine.
Line by Line Meaning
It's such a joke, what he asked me to do.
The request made by him is ridiculous and shows that he underestimates my intelligence.
He must think I'm a fool.
This request displays a lack of respect for my abilities.
Janine, you know I'm your friend,
I value your friendship and want to look out for you.
Whatever they say, in another day,
Despite what others may tell you, things will get better in time.
Your dream it will appear.
Your hopes and aspirations will come to fruition.
I touched you on the arm, I meant you no harm.
My physical contact with you was friendly and without any malicious intent.
Janine, don't go with those guys, what's in it for you?
It's not worth risking your well-being by associating with those individuals.
In another day, your dream it will appear.
Even if it seems far off now, your goals will eventually come to fruition.
I touched you on the arm, you were so warm.
Your warmth and kindness toward me are appreciated.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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