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"
Your Legs Grow
Nada Surf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was no fear in my room when we got close.
Call me anytime you've got a ghost.
You're the only person in the world I feel that way about.
And if you move off to the side, I'll get swept back out
Where it's cold but not that deep, cause your legs grow.
Cold but not that deep, cause your legs grow.
And there's a light that rises up from the bottom of the lake.
And its beam has hit me hard
Now I'm wide awake
Where it's cold but not that deep, cause your legs grow
Cold but not that deep, cause your legs grow
Cold but not that deep, cause your legs grow
Cold but not that deep, cause your legs grow.
If you were here, baby we'd increase the dose.
There was no fear in my room when we got close.
Call me anytime you've got a ghost.
In "Your Legs Grow" by Nada Surf, the singer is expressing his love for someone who he feels a strong connection to. When this person is with him, he feels safe and unafraid, and he longs for more time with them. The repeated line "cold but not that deep, cause your legs grow" is symbolic of the feelings he has for this person, as though they are anchoring him and keeping him grounded in the present moment. He also references a light that rises from the bottom of the lake, which may be perceived as a transformative force that has helped him stay connected to his emotions.
The chorus seems to emphasize the idea that if they grow together, they can become strong enough to weather any storm. The line "if you move off to the side, I'll get swept back out" speaks to this idea of needing to remain close in order to support one another.
One interesting interpretation of the song is that the 'legs' could refer to the pillars or foundation of a relationship, which keep both parties stable and secure. The image of legs growing also suggests a sense of growth and progression, which could reflect the desire for the relationship to evolve and mature.
Line by Line Meaning
If you were here, baby we'd increase the dose.
I miss you and if we were together, we would intensify our connection.
There was no fear in my room when we got close.
When we were physically close, I felt secure and confident, without any anxiousness.
Call me anytime you've got a ghost.
You can always reach out to me when you need me, even if it's just to talk about your problems and fears.
You're the only person in the world I feel that way about.
I have a unique and special bond with you that I don't share with anyone else in the world.
And if you move off to the side, I'll get swept back out
If you distance yourself from me, I'll feel lost and unanchored.
Where it's cold but not that deep, cause your legs grow.
The water may be shallow, but it feels deep because of the way you make me feel when we're together.
And there's a light that rises up from the bottom of the lake.
There's a metaphorical light or hope that emerges even from dark or difficult situations.
And its beam has hit me hard, now I'm wide awake.
That light or hope has impacted me deeply and has opened my eyes to new perspectives and possibilities.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dayanne Martinez
what a beautiful song! All your songs are beautiful .🤗
Ruben Swart
I am in love this this song! ;)
Benjamin John Spencer
Their best song
Dayz OfRust99
2nd