In 2005, he released a solo album that involved collaborating with Lilac Time member and original Duran Duran singer Stephen "Tintin" Duffy under that name. In 2008, he also notably performed a concert of cover songs with "The Art of Time Ensemble" in Toronto. A studio album featuring the songs performed live with the ensemble came out in 2010. As well, Page wrote music for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the summer of 2009. Page has perhaps gotten the most attention under his own name for his solo album 'Page One', a 2010 release that earned acclaim from several music critics.
In 2012, he released an EP called A Different Sort of Solitude. In 2016, he released his first full length studio album since 2010, Heal Thyself, Part I: Instinct. He followed it in 2018 with a sequel-of-sorts, Discipline: Heal Thyself, Pt II. In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, he released a single called Isolation, and has been doing weekly "Live From Home" concerts streaming from his basement.
Surprise Surprise
Steven Page Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In Steven Page's song "Surprise Surprise," he speaks about his struggles with shame and anxiety throughout his adult life. He mentions that he knew what was wrong with him long before anyone else did, and admits to feeling shame while others feel stupid. The lyrics suggest that living a life on the run from the truth leads to self-defeating behavior that can ultimately lead to one's demise. At the end of the song, Page alludes to the fact that he wishes to fly away and escape his reality.
The chorus of "Surprise Surprise" revolves around the idea that while Page's loved ones may be surprised to learn the truth about him, he was already aware of his issues. He admits to feeling shame, but he also acknowledges that others may feel stupid for not realizing what was going on sooner. By addressing his inner demons head-on and realizing the impact they have on the people around him, he is able to take steps towards overcoming them.
Line by Line Meaning
Surprise, surprise
I acknowledge your surprise
I understand your shock at getting wise
I comprehend your shock at realizing the truth
I was feeling shame, you were feeling stupid
I felt ashamed, while you appeared foolish
'Coz I knew what was wrong with me long before you did
I was aware of my problems long before you were
I've spent my whole adult life worrying
I have been anxious for my entire adult life
That the world would find me out before too long
That my secrets would be uncovered soon
I faint, I fail, my vision starts a-blurrying
I get weak, I falter, my eyesight becomes blurred
So just stay strong, Or get strong
You should be resilient or build your fortitude
Look into these never loving eyes
Peer into my cold, unsympathetic eyes
You were feeling safe, while I was feeling lonely
You had a sense of security while I was isolated
You thought that you had known me but I wish that you had only
You believed you knew me, but I'd rather you only knew
Known just what was wrong with me long before you did
Understood my issues earlier than you did
A life on the run From the truth is a gun
Evading reality is like holding a loaded weapon
With its barrel pointed deep down in your throat
Ready to harm myself when I face what I escape from
And one day you'll say enough Of this self-defeating stuff
One day you will realize the harm in self-sabotage
One false move That's all she wrote
A single mistake can have damaging consequences
And on those mornings when I'm lying In our bed alone and realise I'm old
When I wake up alone in bed and comprehend my age
My mind begins to wish that I was flying It's not my mind It's my soul
My mind craves to fly, yet my soul is the one yearning
I knew what was wrong with me long before you did
I was aware of my flaws way before you were
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Giovannone
I really don't understand how a well established talent like this only has 1500 hits. This song should be on the radio along with many other on this album. If he had the BNL title behind his name it would have! Please continue to make music Steven...you are amazing!
Take #19
@popomatik1 even though your comment is 3 years old, I feel it deserves a response...at least to satisfy the George Costanza in me. For starters, waaaaay too long, nobody wants to read your 5 part thesis in YT comments. B - I sincerely hope you’re related to someone in the band, theres no way Jim, Ty, Kevin or Ed would ever take the 25 minutes to write something so petty. If you’re not related, you’re sincerely the biggest boot-licker any semi-famous band has ever had. Finally, you don’t know your ass from a hole in the wall when it comes to music. I will not criticize any of the other 4 guys to support Steve, but I’m damn sure coming to the defense of his writing and vocals, as well as defending good old common sense. Just because One Week and Pinch Me caught the ear of moronic radioheads, doesn’t mean squat. Jane, Brian Wilson, $1,000,000 and Its All Been Done have had tons of commercial success and they’re actually good songs, One Week not so much. That’s it this is long enough, you’re probably busy shining Andy Creegan’s shoes anyway. 😂😂😂. Steve is a phenomenal singer and songwriter, and a genuinely nice dude-just like his old band mates.
Janice C
umm ok. Anyways Robert, totally. Although I kind of like that many people don't know he is still performing. It makes his shows more intimate
popomatik1
You understand little about music that is selected for radio and airplay. No one promoted the release of this record... not Steven, not his label and certainly not the other 4 BNL guys who continue to invent and reinvent themselves just like they have this year, yet again. The band is old. Contemporary music, no matter how manic-activity Steven could bring the band, the other four members, particularly Kevin Hearn, have grown up. And as for vocal choices... go listen to your really old BNL records. Sure, there's Steven, being goofy or dramatic, but the HITS?!?!?!!?! Where largely written by Ed Robertson, who is also best known for the manic VOCALS of all the hit songs. Don't get me wrong, but when an artist of Steven's caliber actually backflips from vinyl releases back to digital and crappy CD, while the band just keeps issuing new vinyl, back catalogs, solid songs and just this month, co-released a very special collaboration with the legendary "Kings of A Cappella" titled, Ladies And Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies And The Persuasions to be released April 14, 2017. Produced by Gavin Brown, the album features 14 tracks re-imagined BNL's award-winning catalogue and the classic 'Good Times'. BNL recorded the album live off the floor with The Persuasions last Fall at Noble Street Studios in Toronto. The seed for Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies & The Persuasions was planted when Kevin Hearn befriended The Persuasions at Lou Reed's memorial held at the legendary Apollo Theatre in 2013. The friendship led to an invitation for The Persuasions to perform with BNL at Central Park Summerstage during the Barenaked Ladies 2016 Last Summer On Earth tour. Both bands had such a fun time, they all agreed to "do more" together. Before hitting the studio together, and after running through about 25 songs from the BNL catalogue, both BNL and the Persuasions's excitement grew and the songs were narrowed down to the final 15 tracks featured on the Album. All six reviews gave it five stars. It was released less than one week ago.
aluminumtome
I like this song better than the entire new BNL album. The new BNL stuff isn't bad, but Steve Page is what give the band that magical quality that made it so distinct--the voice, the lyrics, the energy. I'm glad he's still making great solo stuff, though!
Ronald Poon
The songwriting is better on page stuff too
Marie Lauterbach
Better than all of the BNL 4's albums put together . He's way better.
John Roth
No hits since Page left, either.
Troy Thomas
Whoa, whoa, whoa! No 'disastrous public melt-down during a BNL concert at a family-oriented concert at Walt Disney World' ever happened.
This is libel, and should be erased.
met182
"led to his disastrous public melt-down during a BNL concert at a family-oriented concert at Walt Disney World" lol that's just a lie. No such melt down during a Disney show.