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"
Teenage Dreams
Nada Surf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta trust the mind
Take as common sense
In the blood of time
Can't talk much just a little bit
The truth is a tree if you start shaking it
but I get the right answers
Moved to a tear by
the subway break dancer
It's never too late for teenage dreams
It's never too late
It's never too late for teenage dreams
Teenage dreams
Wind is blowing
Did you mark that speed
In between the days
When the tremor seats
And the overstock of these easy times
Has the warnings of birds in coal mines
Sometimes I ask the wrong questions
but I get the right answers
Moved to a tear by
the subway break dancer
It's never too late for teenage dreams
You'll get through the days when you're way too late
And the clouds lift the top off of the empire state
Even those days
You have the feeling
Someone's listening
Through everyone's over talking
We sit we wait and we empty our plates
Let's prove that this year something's coming
Sometimes I ask the wrong questions
but I get the right answers
Moved to a tear by
the subway break dancer
It's never too late for teenage dreams
It's never too late
It's never too late for teenage dreams
Teenage dreams
Sometimes I ask the wrong questions
but I get the right answers
Moved to a tear by
The subway break dancer
The subway break dancer
(Teenage dreams)
The subway break dancer
(Teenage dreams)
The subway break dancer
The song "Teenage Dreams" by Nada Surf is an anthem about holding on to hope and pursuing dreams, no matter how old one may be. The opening lines, "Calm down now, gotta trust the mind" suggests that it is important to remain centered and have faith in oneself. It is important to take things as "common sense" and understand that everything happens in its due time, as stated in the line "In the blood of time". The song seems to be a reflection on one's life and the passing of time. It is a retrospective look at the challenges faced and the dreams and aspirations that were once held.
The chorus "It's never too late for teenage dreams" seems to be an affirmation that it is never too late to chase one's dreams, regardless of how old one may be. The second verse mentions the "overstock of easy times" and the warnings of birds in coal mines, hinting perhaps at the fleeting nature of success and the importance of staying aware and alert in life. The final verse talks about the feeling of someone listening and waiting for something to come. It seems to suggest that although life may be uncertain and filled with questions, we should hold on to hope and believe that good things are on the horizon.
Overall, "Teenage Dreams" is a powerful message about maintaining a youthful attitude and never giving up on one's dreams, no matter how much time has passed.
Line by Line Meaning
Calm down now
Relax and calm yourself in the present moment
Gotta trust the mind
Believe in the power of your own mind and instincts
Take as common sense
Use your common sense and practical knowledge
In the blood of time
Embedded into the fabric of time and history
Can't talk much just a little bit
Unable to say much, only a limited amount
The truth is a tree if you start shaking it
If you dig too deep and hard into the truth, it can be unsettling or disturbing
Sometimes I ask the wrong questions but I get the right answers
Even if you start off on a wrong path, you can still arrive at the correct destination
Moved to a tear by the subway break dancer
Moved emotionally by the raw talent and expression of a performer
It's never too late for teenage dreams
You can still pursue the dreams and aspirations you had as a teenager, no matter your age
Wind is blowing
The wind is blowing outside
Did you mark that speed
Did you notice the speed at which the wind is blowing
In between the days
The time in between one day and the next
When the tremor seats
When there is a sense of unease or instability in the air
And the overstock of these easy times
The abundance or surplus of easy and comfortable times
Has the warnings of birds in coal mines
Serves as a warning sign, like birds in coal mines
You'll get through the days when you're way too late
You can still overcome challenges, even when you feel like you're too late or behind schedule
And the clouds lift the top off of the empire state
Metaphorically, when things clear up or become better, they reveal their true greatness
Even those days
Even the tough or challenging days
You have the feeling
You sense or intuit something
Someone's listening
There is someone out there who is willing to hear and support you
Through everyone's over talking
Despite the noise and distraction of everyone else's talk and opinions
We sit we wait and we empty our plates
We patiently wait for something to happen or arrive, while also being content with what we have
Let's prove that this year something's coming
Let's work together to make something meaningful or exciting happen this year
The subway break dancer (Teenage dreams)
The subway break dancer is a symbol of youthful and raw talent, as well as the power of pursuing your dreams
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Natashaboris
I love the way Caws layers a bittersweet melody over a crunchy driving bass line (and what a wonderful bass line it is!)
I am a latecomer to this band and I am so sad I didn't keep up with them after "Popular" (I was exploring The Posies at that point).
But I'm glad I'm here.
P.S-- Can someone explain to me just what Caws is doing with his guitar? There's this kind of "ringing" tone going on behind the lead and it's wonderful!
Emachine777
Freakin' love this song.
Rampart
Love it :))
Manuel Vargas
great song.
Fabien Brigeot
the beginning has the same "structure" than stalemate
Cerbero28
Miao miao miaoo , miao miaoo :)