Its about settling for the monotony of everyday life. 'Such a pretty house, such a pretty garden' is about settling down to a normal life, in a normal house, with a normal 'nine to five' job like a million other people. And yes it is about feeling fed up with this kind of life but realising it would be too hard to try and change it because you have no influence - the government 'don't speak for us'. The song itself is the narrator's 'final bellyache' - his final act of defiance against the way of life he has resigned himself to. He is saying 'ok maybe this life i have chosen is boring but what else is there? At least i'm safe from stressful situations (alarms and surprises) and i'm safe.'
Its about settling for the monotony of everyday life. 'Such a pretty house, such a pretty garden' is about settling down to a normal life, in a normal house, with a normal 'nine to five' job like a million other people. And yes it is about feeling fed up with this kind of life but realising it would be too hard to try and change it because you have no influence - the government 'don't speak for us'. The song itself is the narrator's 'final bellyache' - his final act of defiance against the way of life he has resigned himself to. He is saying 'ok maybe this life i have chosen is boring but what else is there? At least i'm safe from stressful situations (alarms and surprises) and i'm safe.'