12 No Surprises
Radiohead Lyrics


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A heart that's full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal
You look so tired, unhappy
Bring down the government
They don't, they don't speak for us
I'll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide

With no alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent

This is my final fit
My final bellyache

With no alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises, please

Such a pretty house
And such a pretty garden

No alarms and no surprises




No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises, please

Overall Meaning

The song "No Surprises" by Radiohead is a melancholic reflection on the tedium and emptiness of modern life. Thom Yorke's lyrics speak of the suffocating routine of a "slowly killing" job and the emotional impact of being trapped in this existence. He paints a picture of a person who is exhausted and overwhelmed, suffering from emotional and physical pain that won't heal. The repeated refrain of "no alarms and no surprises" creates a sense of resignation and desire for a quiet, uneventful life.


The line "bring down the government, they don't speak for us" suggests a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the political system, and a desire for change. However, this desire is ultimately futile; the singer concludes that a life free from alarms and surprises is enough. The closing lines, "such a pretty house and such a pretty garden," contrast the facade of a comfortable life with the singer's inner suffering.


Overall, "No Surprises" is a poignant commentary on the emptiness of a life without meaningful connections and the desire for simplicity and peace.


Line by Line Meaning

A heart that's full up like a landfill
Heart being weighed down by unwanted emotions, feeling like trash


A job that slowly kills you
A burdensome occupation that is gradually wearing a person down.


Bruises that won't heal
The pain of physical or emotional wounds that persist.


You look so tired, unhappy
The observer acknowledges the other person's emotional fatigue and distress.


Bring down the government
The people are fed up with the political status quo.


They don't, they don't speak for us
Leadership has lost touch with the governed population.


I'll take a quiet life
A humble, uneventful existence is preferred over something grander.


A handshake of carbon monoxide
A greeting that is deadly, implying the corruption and toxicity of human interaction.


With no alarms and no surprises
Life should be simple and predictable, free of disturbance.


Silent, silent
Complete quiet is desired.


This is my final fit
This is the breaking point, the last moments before giving up.


My final bellyache
The last complaint or grievance before collapsing.


No alarms and no surprises, please
A plea for tranquility and stability without intervention.


Such a pretty house
A facade of beauty to hide inner turmoil.


And such a pretty garden
Another attempt at outward appearances belying a chaotic interior.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLIN CHARLES GREENWOOD, EDWARD JOHN O'BRIEN, JONATHAN RICHARD GUY GREENWOOD, PHILIP JAMES SELWAY, THOMAS EDWARD YORKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@men_del12

No Suprises
The mind which fills me with all wonders
Destiny of living
Long way recovering

See me, in restfull sleepness
Speak out our justice love
We learn, learning to be kind

We choose some thoughtfull grace
The blessings that are in disguise
With all the give thanks with all counting joys
All the give thanks with all counting joys
All the give thanks with all counting joys
Relief, relief

Now will be our start point
Set freely weariness
Of all greatfullness with all thankfullness
All greatfullness with all thankfullness
All greatfullness with all thankfullness' hope

Oh my simple home
With our simple backyard
All the give thanks with all gratitudes (cast out your despairs)
All greatfullness with all thankfullness (set free from daydreams)
All the gracious with all counting joys' hope (observe the beauties)



All comments from YouTube:

@Shork296

Finally a 10 hour one so I can sleep without waking up each hour

@e_i69

You can actually just use the "loop" option in the setting so that it wouldn't be hard to find a 12 hour videos

@tuantakuy

Thank you, don't forget to subscribe👍🏿

@midomaina5252

​@@tuantakuyI WILL👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

@KyojuroRengoku_..

@@e_i69where’s the loop button?

@ilovesanriosomuchitssocute

@@KyojuroRengoku_..idk

2 More Replies...

@nhathoang4848

the first time I hear this doorbell, finally I can feel my childhood's dream...

@tuantakuy

Thank you, don't forget to subscribe👍🏿

@jaxdurning7507

Love it❤️ listen when I feel empty☹️ and sometimes when I’m mad or sad🫶and it’s also great for sleeping😍🤠I could listen to this all day lol🎧🥹

@tuantakuy

Thank you, don't forget to subscribe👍🏿

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