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"
Slow Down
Nada Surf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when your parents bail you out you somehow feel not free.
You're bored to tears in school, it's not like what you thought at all.
Trouble is not the answer. I know what you want to know:
Slow down;
Why you wanna move so fast?
Why you wanna walk so far?
I think I know what you want.
In order not to loose, the trick is not to play with him.
Anything good you do is added to your past - your wealth.
You'll need it all the day you finally choose to ask yourself:
Slow down;
Why you wanna move so fast?
Why you wanna walk so far?
Wait and find out who you are
And how you're gonna make it last.
Something's gonna change, now re-spell your name.
Tired of highs and lows, now derail your train.
And if this letter finds you lost and out of touch - lonely,
I hope you know by now you mean so very much to me.
The lyrics to Nada Surf’s song “Slow Down” depict a message to a young person who is in a rush to grow up and become independent. The person is portrayed as self-assured but at the same time longing for freedom. The lyrics suggest that the individual feels suffocated even though their parents are there to support them financially. The person is disillusioned with school and not finding it to be what they expected. The song advises that the solution to the person’s problems is not to turn to trouble, but to instead slow down and take stock of one’s true desires.
The next verse delves into the difficult relationship the person has with their father. Their father seems to be using the person for his own gain, but the lyrics suggest that the person should not get pulled into playing his game. The lyrics suggest that anything the person accomplishes in life will only add to their wealth but ultimately, when they are ready to examine themselves, they will discover that there is more to life than financial security. The song advises the person to slow down and find out who they are and how they want to make their life meaningful.
The chorus of the song implores the person to slow down and find out who they truly are before making any major decisions. It advises them not to rush through life but to take their time and enjoy the journey. The bridge advises the person to re-evaluate their priorities and to derail their current path if it is not serving them. The final message of the song offers comfort, reminding the person that if they feel lost and alone, they should remember that they mean a lot to someone.
Line by Line Meaning
You see yourself sitting on top so self assured - happy,
You perceive yourself as being confident and content in your current position of power.
But when your parents bail you out you somehow feel not free.
However, when your parents bail you out of tough situations, you feel restricted and not independent.
You're bored to tears in school, it's not like what you thought at all.
You find school extremely dull and tedious, and it is far from what you imagined it to be.
Trouble is not the answer. I know what you want to know:
Engaging in harmful activities is not the solution to any problem. I am aware of what you wish to inquire about.
Slow down;
Take things at a slower pace.
Why you wanna move so fast?
Why do you have the desire to rush through everything?
Why you wanna walk so far?
What's the reason behind your eagerness to always keep moving further away from your current place?
I think I know what you want.
I have an idea of what you desire.
Your father toys with you hoping his evil game will win.
Your father plays with your emotions, desiring for his manipulative game to emerge successful.
In order not to loose, the trick is not to play with him.
To avoid coming out at the losing end, the key is to not engage in his schemes.
Anything good you do is added to your past - your wealth.
Any positive deeds that you perform contribute to your wealth of past experiences.
You'll need it all the day you finally choose to ask yourself:
You'll require these experiences for the day when you finally decide to question yourself.
Slow down;
Take things at a slower pace.
Why you wanna move so fast?
Why do you have the desire to rush through everything?
Why you wanna walk so far?
What's the reason behind your eagerness to always keep moving further away from your current place?
Wait and find out who you are
Be patient and discover your true self.
And how you're gonna make it last.
And determine how you will sustain this discovery for a long time.
Something's gonna change, now re-spell your name.
A transformation is going to occur, so reconsider your identity.
Tired of highs and lows, now derail your train.
Sick of the fluctuations between success and failure, now stop your momentum (figuratively speaking).
And if this letter finds you lost and out of touch - lonely,
Lastly, if you happen to come across this letter while feeling disoriented and disconnected- alone,
I hope you know by now you mean so very much to me.
Please understand that by now, you hold a significant place in my heart.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DANIEL PRIETO CASTRO LORCA, IRA ELLIOT, MATTHEW RORISON CAWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gilbag
You see yourself sitting on top so self assured - happy
but when your parents bail you out you somehow feel not free
You're bored to tears in school, it's not like what you thought at all
Trouble is not the answer. I know what you want to know:
Slow down
Why you wanna move so fast?
Why you wanna walk so far?
I think I know what you want!
Your father toys with you hoping his evil game will win
In order not to lose the trick is not to play with him
Anything good you do is added to your past - your wealth
You'll need it all the day you finally choose to ask yourself
Slow down
Why you wanna move so fast?
Why you wanna walk so far?
Wait and find out who you are
and how you're gonna make it last
Something's gonna change, now re-spell your name
tired of highs and lows, now derail your train
And if this letter finds you lost and out of touch - lonely
I hope you know by now you mean so very much to me
To Me
To Me
I think I know what You want!
@patriciademacedo7731
Lorca 👍🎼🎶🤗
@AdamF89
this sounds like Superchunk
@gilbag
What are the 3 best Superchunk songs? If they're anything as good as this song I need some of what they got.
@tdsims1963
Nada Surf songs have a very subtle way of sneaking up on you and taking hold of your mind and heart. Dammit, I've been singing this fucking song for a week now and I LOVE IT!!