Nada Surf – Popular

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Send "Popular" Ringtone to Cell

Three important rules for breaking up
Don't put off breaking up when you know you want to
Prolonging the situation only makes it worse
Tell him honestly, simply, kindly, but firmly
Don't make a big production
Don't make up an elaborate story
This will help you avoid a big tear jerking scene
If you wanna date other people, say so
Be prepared for the boy to feel hurt and rejected
Even if you've gone together for only a short time,
And haven't been too serious,
There's still a feeling of rejection
When someone says she prefers the company of others
To your exclusive company,
But if you're honest, and direct,
And avoid making a flowery emotional speech when you brake the news,
The boy will respect you for your frankness,
And honestly he'll appreciate the kind of straight forward manner
In which you told him your decision
Unless he's a real jerk or a cry baby--you'll remain friends

I'm head of the class (I'm popular)
I'm a quarter back (I'm popular)
My mom says I'm a catch (I'm popular)
I'm never last picked
I got a cheerleader chick

Being attractive is the most important thing there is
If you wanna catch the biggest fish in your pond
You have to be as attractive as possible
Make sure to keep your hair spotless and clean
Wash it at least every two weeks
Once every two weeks
And if you see Jonny football hero in the hall
Tell him he played a great game
Tell him you like his article in the newspaper

I'm the party star (I'm popular)
I've got my own car (I'm popular)
I'll never get caught (I'm popular)
I make football bets
I'm the teacher’s pet

I propose we support a one month limit on going steady
I think it will keep people more able to deal with weird situations
And get to know more people
I think if you're ready to go out with Jonny
Now's the time to tell him about your one month limit
He won’t mind he'll appreciate your fresh look on dating
And once you've dated someone else you can date him again
I'm sure he'll like it
Everyone will appreciate it
You're so novel, what a good idea
You can keep your time to your self
You don't need date insurance
You can go out with whoever you want to
Every boy, every boy, in the whole world could be yours
If you'll just listen to my plan
THE TEENAGE GUIDE TO POPULARITY

I'm head of the class (I'm popular)
I'm a quarter back (I'm popular)
My mom says I'm a catch (I'm popular)
I'm never last picked
I got a cheerleader chick

I'm the party star (I'm popular)
I've got my own car (I'm popular)
I'll never get caught (I'm popular)
I make football bets
I'm the teacher’s pet

Send "Popular" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 03:41


Popular song meanings
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106 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:This song is hilarious. Once every two weeks.
    Flag redshiftdazzleron July 16, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:classic
    Flag ultra1indigoon March 27, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Ha-Ha. "The teenage guide to popularity". I love this band and this lyrics are cool and powerful, even if it talks about teenage love.
    Flag okcancelon August 16, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Funny, as being a British listener, this was the only song I related to the least. But still a good song.
    Flag martaaon April 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Anyone think of "Admit It!!!"?
    Flag littleplumplingon April 24, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:First off, I enjoy this song. Nice little piece of 90's alternative rock.

    Secondly, there sure is a lot of whining going on in this forum.
    Flag marginxxwalkeron August 10, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:the songs is being sand sarcastically, about a a guy who's girlfriend broke up with him because she wanted to be with friends and was worried about her popularity, and he is basically singing sarcastically about how important popularity is, and how right she was to break his heart and leave him for friends... it makes fun of the whole i just want to be friends for a while (witch means i just want to go out and be a slut for a little bit) and again hes being sarcastic when he says sure he will understand he wont care that you just want to be a slut and the fact that your at least letting him know makes it totally fine and when you're done whoring out and ready to come back he will be cool with it because there is no wrong in what you did because you were being honest... but of course no one is ok with that because we have feelings... but the popular kids/ or the ones who worry about it cant ever care about anything but popularity...
    Flag mydefponyon May 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:The song is a satire on all the stupid rules we apply to ourselves and to each other through society. The band starts by defining the song as being about "three important rules for breaking up", then proceeds to break its own rules. There aren't three rules -- there are dozens, and they're rambling, chaotic rules, designed simply to create conflict. It's difficult to be sure of what the band intended with this song, but I like to think that it's a rejection of people who justify their reasons to hate others, or to make themselves seem better than other people.

    That said, anyone who replies after me is automatically wrong. BECAUSE I SAID SO.
    Flag goodreverendon April 29, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment::| this song is terrible.

    and if anything nobody is popular.

    as you can see all kids are hated in
    another person's eyes.

    so nobody is popular, nobody.
    Flag pecknoldbanharton March 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song sucks.
    Flagged JimmieNeverDieson March 16, 2009   Link

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