No Surprises
Radiohead [TEH-SONG] [TS] 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 comments from YouTube:

@jasonchristopheryang4811

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

And 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 (get me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises (get me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises, please (get me out of here)



@gelialba

🖤LYRICS

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
And 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 (get me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises (get me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises, please (get me out of here)



@Yi18856

Lyrics:
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
And 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 (get me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises (get me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises, please (get me out of here)



All comments from YouTube:

@michellecuriel2466

Thom: drowns

His face: ( -_- )

@tinkywinkybr9045

more like ( •_- )

@hiroshibuya8284

@@tinkywinkybr9045 perfect

@saturnstudi0s

@@tinkywinkybr9045 perfeito

@buttermusic6665

w I d e y o r k e

@RAMSES0987654321

@@tinkywinkybr9045 jajajjaj wtf

105 More Replies...

@neilfan1016

this song sounds like despair, no hope left just acceptance. it feels like what it feels like to be absoloutly crushed, tears streaming down your face but somehow everything is ok

@itdoesntmatteranymore3550

This!!!!

@BlackAlbino2000

It definitely brings up emotions of sadness and despair and your life being crushed . I always thought it’s about the realization that these socially accepted conforming norms of what we see as having a happy life are merely going to make you more miserable and dull and end up drowning you slowly till your time’s up . If I’d put it very direct , a life lived without surprises is like slow suicide but if you seek further than these norms you get curious about what really matters in your life and this brings you true happiness .

@almightcarrot7481

L BOZO

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