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"
Zenbrain
Nada Surf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every year
It's going from strange to stranger
Every year
I take it back
You're panicking
I take it back
I really thought I wanted to go
But when you're close
You look through me just like a ghost
I like sleeping
I'm only safe when I'm dreaming
I need a new heart
This one's hollow always scheming
You wait for summer
And then you wait for winter
But there's a total lack of splendor
Zen brain
Throw away your crushes
All your childhood crutches away
Super brain
Never scared of nothing
Violence or loving my way
The lyrics of Nada Surf's song "Zenbrain" suggest that the singer is experiencing a transformation, moving "from strange to stranger every year." However, despite trying to make sense of his feelings, he admits to feeling unsure, stating "I just don't know." He wants to connect with others, but feels like a "ghost" when someone gets close to him. The singer compares his elusive state to sleeping, where he is "only safe when he's dreaming." He acknowledges his own faults, stating that he needs a "new heart" since the current one is "hollow always scheming."
The chorus of the song talks about the concept of a "Zenbrain," where the ideal would be to throw away all childhood crutches and crushes, and move towards a more enlightened state. The singer aspires to having a "super brain" that is never scared of anything, be it violence or love, and is confident and unafraid.
Overall, the lyrics of "Zenbrain" reflect a sense of ennui and a longing for something else - a sense of transformation, but not knowing where to start. The idea of striving for a better mindset and a more enlightened way of thinking is interwoven throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going from strange to stranger
I am becoming more and more unfamiliar with myself and my surroundings over time.
Every year
This transformation is a continuous and ongoing process.
It's going from strange to stranger
The changes are becoming increasingly unpredictable and unsettling for me.
Every year
The frequency and intensity of these changes are increasing with each passing year.
I take it back
I retract my previous statement or thought.
You're panicking
You are experiencing sudden and intense feelings of fear or anxiety.
I take it back
I retract my statement or thought once again.
I just don't know
I am uncertain and confused about what I really want or feel.
I really thought I wanted to go
I had a strong desire or intention to do something, but now I am not so sure.
But when you're close
When you are nearby and interacting with me.
You look through me just like a ghost
You seem to ignore or not notice my presence, as if I am invisible or non-existent.
I like sleeping
I find comfort and safety in the state of slumber or unconsciousness.
I'm only safe when I'm dreaming
My dreams provide a sense of security and protection from the harsh realities of life.
I need a new heart
I require a fresh start or a change in my emotional state or mindset.
This one's hollow always scheming
My current heart or mentality lacks sincerity and is always plotting or devising agendas.
You wait for summer
You anticipate and eagerly await the arrival of the warmer season.
And then you wait for winter
You look forward to the colder season after experiencing the warmth and brightness of summer.
But there's a total lack of splendor
However, neither season brings any significant or remarkable joy or beauty to my life.
Zen brain
A calm and focused state of mind that is free from distracting or unnecessary attachments or desires.
Throw away your crushes
Discard your infatuations or obsessions with fleeting or superficial attractions.
All your childhood crutches away
Release or abandon the coping mechanisms or dependencies that you used to rely on when you were younger.
Super brain
A confident and intelligent mindset that is capable of handling any challenges or situations with ease.
Never scared of nothing
Fearless and unafraid of any potential risks or obstacles.
Violence or loving my way
I approach life with a mindset of either aggressively pursuing my goals or wholeheartedly pursuing romantic relationships.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind