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"
Question
Nada Surf Lyrics
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When we're knocking at the door?
With a thousand million questions
About hate and death and war.
It's where we stop and look around us
There is nothing that we need.
In a world of persecution
Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door?
Because the truth is hard to swallow
That's what the wall of love is for.
It's not the way that you say it
When you do those things to me.
It's more the way that you mean it
When you tell me what will be.
And when you stop and think about it
You won't believe it's true.
That all the love you've been giving
Has all been meant for you.
I'm looking for someone to change my life.
I'm looking for a miracle in my life.
And if you could see what it's done to me
To lose the the love I knew
Could safely lead me through.
Between the silence of the mountains
And the crashing of the sea
There lies a land I once lived in
And she's waiting there for me.
But in the grey of the morning
My mind becomes confused
Between the dead and the sleeping
And the road that I must choose.
I'm looking for someone to change my life.
I'm looking for a miracle in my life.
And if you could see what it's done to me
To lose the the love I knew
Could safely lead me to
The land that I once knew.
To learn as we grow old
The secrets of our souls.
It's not the way that you say it
When you do those things to me.
It's more the way you really mean it
When you tell me what will be.
Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door?
With a thousand million questions
About hate and death and war.
It's where we stop and look around us
There is nothing that we need.
In a world of persecution
That is burning in it's greed.
Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door?
The song "Question" by Nada Surf is a complex exploration of the quest for truth and love in a world filled with hatred and strife. The song's chorus speaks to the frustration of seeking answers to life's big questions and feeling like we are being ignored or unheard. The verses paint a vivid picture of a world consumed with greed and persecution, and a narrator who is searching for something more.
The opening verse sets the stage for the song's themes of unanswered questions and the search for truth. The singer asks why they never get an answer when they are knocking at the door, seeking answers to the many questions they have about hate, death, and war. The second verse takes on a more existential tone, describing a world consumed by greed and persecution, with the singer feeling lost and alone. The chorus provides a key insight into the song's meaning -- the truth is hard to swallow, but the wall of love is there to protect us from it.
The song's final verse shifts the focus to the singer's personal search for love and meaning. They describe a land they once lived in, where they felt safe and loved, but they are now lost in the confusion of their own mind. The chorus repeats once more, bringing the song full circle and emphasizing the importance of love and the search for truth in a troubled world.
Overall, "Question" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that challenges us to confront the big questions of life, love, and our place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do we never get an answer
Expressing the disappointment and frustration of not getting a response to the multitude of questions that one has.
When we're knocking at the door?
Asking why there isn't anyone to answer to one's call, when they reach out for guidance and support.
With a thousand million questions
Highlighting the vast number of doubts and queries that individuals have, ranging in topics from hate, death, and war.
About hate and death and war.
The social issues that plague societies, raising questions amongst the populace, unable to garner any response.
It's where we stop and look around us
Pausing to take in the surroundings that provide no solace or answers to life's questions.
There is nothing that we need.
Realizing that the distractions of life are not of any importance, and one's journey is to seek inner peace and answers to their queries.
In a world of persecution
Living in a society that is filled with intolerance and where people face discrimination due to various reasons.
That is burning in its greed.
Avarice and materialistic desires that consume individuals, leading to societal degeneration and burning of moral values.
Because the truth is hard to swallow
Understanding that the answers to the questions are not easy to accept and often lead to discomfort and pain.
That's what the wall of love is for.
To seek the support of loved ones, who form a barrier of compassion around the individual, providing much-needed solace and strength.
It's not the way that you say it
The words that one speaks are not enough as the tone and intent behind them matter more.
When you do those things to me.
Elucidating the actions of loved ones that come from a place of love and concern, rather than just mere words.
It's more the way that you mean it
The true understanding of words and actions lies in understanding the meaning behind the same.
When you tell me what will be.
The assurance of the future provided by a loved one, who knows the individual and their aspirations.
And when you stop and think about it
The importance of self-reflection in assessing personal growth and experiences.
You won't believe it's true.
The realization of the fact that the love and support that one offers have been for their own betterment, which they couldn't comprehend before.
That all the love you've been giving
Unpacking the emotions that individuals give without any expectations solely from a place of concern and love for others.
Has all been meant for you.
Coming to terms with the fact that the love that one offers to others is for their growth and well-being, and conversely, it leads to personal growth.
I'm looking for someone to change my life.
The search for that proverbial change that will transform their life's course and offer a new perspective.
I'm looking for a miracle in my life.
The anticipation of a swift and unexpected change to make life's trials and tribulations bearable.
And if you could see what it's done to me
The effect of losing love on a person's emotional and mental state, which can be truly devastating.
To lose the love I knew
The grief of losing someone, who offered support and encouragement in times of distress.
Could safely lead me through.
The sense of security and assurance that the love that one experienced in the past helped endure troublesome times.
Between the silence of the mountains
The serenity and calmness that one will find, when seeking solace in nature.
And the crashing of the sea
The turbulent waves of the ocean depicting the chaos of life.
There lies a land I once lived in
The psychological need to go back to a place of comfort and familiarity, one's happy place.
And she's waiting there for me.
The hope of finding that safe haven where one can seek solace and comfort.
But in the grey of the morning
A metaphorical description of the confusion and uncertainty one faces when making life's choices.
My mind becomes confused
The internal turmoil that one experiences while making life's decisions is often blinding, leading to confusion and indecisiveness.
Between the dead and the sleeping
The confusion that grips individuals while treading between the subjective and objective world.
And the road that I must choose.
The life-transforming choice that one has to make, which can lead to happiness or distress.
To learn as we grow old
The importance of learning throughout one's life and not restricting oneself by age or status.
The secrets of our souls.
The innermost thoughts and emotions that are important to know to gain self-awareness and work towards inner peace.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Justin Hayward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind