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Nada Surf — Happy Kid
Album: Let Go
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2003









Released: 2002
Length: 4:06
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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I'm just a happy kid
Stuck with the heart of a sad punk
Drowning in my id
Always searching like it's on junk
No matter who I hang out with
I can hear the clack-clunk
Of the chains that pull the cars up
The roller coaster mountain top so high
When it comes down it shoots back up
Straight back to the sky
I gotta laugh and then I'm asleep
And then I walk around and wanna cry

Out at night to do the strand
The little candles make the bottles glow
Got ink all over my right hand
Getting crushes with no chance to grow
It's like I'll never ever land
There's always too much sun
Or too much snow

Chorus:

I get slow days and no days
I get rusty and it's hard
But I get notions and oceans
Are coming to my call

(interlude)

You can learn to get along (x4)

Chorus (x1)

And I'm just a happy kid
Stuck with the heart of a sad punk
Drowning in my id
Always searching like it's on junk
No matter who I hang out with
I can hear the clack-clunk
Of the chains that pull the cars up
The roller coaster mountain top so high
When it comes down it shoots back up
Straight back to the sky
I gotta laugh and then I'm asleep
And then I walk around and wanna cry

I'm just a happy kid (x4)
Comments (108)add comment
Definitely has a similar hook to Bryan Adams/Mel C 'When You're Gone'
Posted 6 months ago by DrDemento    [ Reply ]
Gives me Lemonheads vibes. Easy 8.
Posted 8 months ago by Jungers42    [ Reply ]
I really enjoy Nada Surf. Especially their Live in Brussels lp from 2004. A great performance.  
Posted 8 months ago by tripp1    [ Reply ]
Baby's on Fire
that's because Baby's bein ripped off
Posted 9 months ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 SpencerAR wrote:
I get such a strong "The Clarks" (band from Pittsburgh) from these guys - and that's not a bad thing.  


hey, i kinda know what you mean. i'm from there, too.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Juanita and Juan, very clever with maracas...
Posted 1 year ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
Really good song, but far from the best song on this fantastic album.  If you've not listened to 'Let Go', do yourself a favour.
Posted 2 years ago by tomperth1    [ Reply ]
I get such a strong "The Clarks" (band from Pittsburgh) from these guys - and that's not a bad thing.  
Posted 2 years ago by SpencerAR    [ Reply ]
They should be some much more known! Love it
Posted 2 years ago by bass000    [ Reply ]
Good Tune!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Love these guys.  The quintessential great garage band. 
Posted 2 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
 bahalana wrote:

It sounds derivative, but who cares? It rocks!




You bet!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by photonstorm    [ Reply ]
It sounds derivative, but who cares? It rocks!
Posted 3 years ago by bahalana    [ Reply ]
Getting a Wallflowers-ish vibe from this  
..quite enjoyable!
Posted 3 years ago by IvanTheMediocre    [ Reply ]
Oooh - BillG - can we hear Baby’s on Fire?? Love that song!!!
Posted 3 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
such an underrated band.
Posted 3 years ago by onomasticator    [ Reply ]
 ExploitingChaos wrote:
Happy Jack into Happy Kid = Happy me
 

One of Billy G's greatest segues?
Posted 4 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
I am hearing Brian Eno's "Baby's On Fire" here...
Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
How much do I love Nada Surf?  A lot.
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
superb - needed this
Posted 4 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Killer track this one, always gets me rocking!
Posted 5 years ago by Ben_Smedley    [ Reply ]
Happy Jack into Happy Kid = Happy me
Posted 5 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
Great rhythm guitar 
Posted 5 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
This band always makes me happy!{#Biggrin}
 
Me too!
Posted 6 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
Great song.  Great band.
Posted 6 years ago by Greenman    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:
Yes.
More please. 

 
What Segue said. Only hear here. Once. Since 2010. Still a 9.
Posted 6 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
 DaMoGan wrote:
"I get snow days, and no days..."

Changed the lyrics slightly to represent what we're experiencing here in the Northeast US...

 
105 degrees for us on the motorcycle yesterday in Wenatchee, fire, smoke and the Apocalypse be a-coming.  
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
"I get snow days, and no days..."

Changed the lyrics slightly to represent what we're experiencing here in the Northeast US...


Posted 9 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
Nada Smurf!
Posted 10 years ago by Rockit999    [ Reply ]
Ok, so it's a grower... ages back, I gave it a 1. It's now a 4 for me. The lyrics may be a bit naff, it's derivative, but hell, it's fun enough. 
Posted 10 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
The sound like they should be opening for the Wiggles. Or vice versa. Either way, I won't be there.
Posted 11 years ago by iam_overlord    [ Reply ]
This band always makes me happy!{#Biggrin}
Posted 11 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
This is one if those bands that is greater than the sum of its parts. Wonderfully literate and appreciative fans as well.
Posted 11 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
 84MacGuy wrote:
How can you not like this song.  It makes me smile even on a bad day.

And the fact that it's Friday, leading into a holiday weekend makes it even better.  All my ratings today are gaining a point on the feel good scale. 


Posted 13 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
How can you not like this song.  It makes me smile even on a bad day.
Posted 13 years ago by 84MacGuy    [ Reply ]
favorite.
Posted 13 years ago by gosvimmink    [ Reply ]
it sounds so average, but i think it's much better than that. i somehow love it.
Posted 13 years ago by jimmy41    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:

I love this song, I tried to upload it, but RP listeners apparently do not share our love of this song; shot down in flames!!{#Sad}
 
A solid 9 in my book.

It does show that there really isn't that much in common with the Nada Surf song. Maybe when they have Fripp and Wetton sitting in they can get a closer match.

I like Happy Kid well enough, but give me vintage Eno any day.


Posted 13 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Since we're never going to get the segue we all hear in our head, here now you can do it yourself:
 

 
I haven't listened to it in years but jesus what a brain melter.

 
I love this song, I tried to upload it, but RP listeners apparently do not share our love of this song; shot down in flames!!{#Sad}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Wow Scott, that song was hard to sit through.  My brain is on fire now! 
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Since we're never going to get the segue we all hear in our head, here now you can do it yourself:
 

 
I haven't listened to it in years but jesus what a brain melter.
 


Posted 14 years ago by lsfeder    [ Reply ]
Since we're never going to get the segue we all hear in our head, here now you can do it yourself:
 

 
I haven't listened to it in years but jesus what a brain melter.

Posted 14 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Yes.
More please. 
Posted 14 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Enjoying the happy theme here.  How about playing "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" (off Elvis Costello's Get Happy) 


Posted 14 years ago by ericconrad    [ Reply ]
that opening line is a real wart on an otherwise decent song.
Posted 14 years ago by joshtime    [ Reply ]
 nigelr wrote:
Slightly reminiscent of 801s' 'Baby's On Fire'.
 
The key word being slightly. Thanks for reminding me about 801. I think 'Diamond Head' from that 801 Live album is much cooler than the version on Phil Manzanera's album of the same name.

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
waaaaaa wwaaaaaacrrrryyyyy wwaaaaaaaa   shhhezzzz  Happy Kid? Sounds like Whiner Boy to me.
Posted 15 years ago by dBdwg    [ Reply ]
 alux wrote:
Big. Friggin'. Deal. I mean, who cares, really? Artists are constantly inspiring, borrowing from, consciously or unconsciously influencing each other. Evolution is convergent as well as divergent. Let it roll.
 
bump


Posted 15 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
I like it.  Sounds like "Baby's on Fire" (Eno)

 
Yeah, I picked up on that too - the main verse melody line tracks very closely to the old Eno tune.

Posted 15 years ago by doctec    [ Reply ]
I like it.  Sounds like "Baby's on Fire" (Eno)

"....baby's on fie-yuh....better throw him in the wat-tuh..."  Sounds horrible, I know, but it is a pretty cool song.  Maybe a little dark.


Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]

8

Posted 15 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 superflyLD wrote:
these guys are great live if you ever have a chance to check them out.
 

My sister told me to get this CD, and I listen to it more than I thought I would. It really grows on you!
Posted 15 years ago by lovemydog    [ Reply ]
Slightly reminiscent of 801s' 'Baby's On Fire'.
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
superflyLD wrote:
these guys are great live if you ever have a chance to check them out.
Indeed!
Posted 16 years ago by pedrock77    [ Reply ]
Baby's on Fire meets Happy Jack. Not an original lick in the piece. WTF, still a decent tune. 5.
Posted 17 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
alux wrote:
Big. Friggin'. Deal. I mean, who cares, really? Artists are constantly inspiring, borrowing from, consciously or unconsciously influencing each other. Evolution is convergent as well as divergent. Let it roll.
Here, here! Hell, If every artist were too afraid of "ripping off" the artists who inspired them, nothing new would ever be made. Hendrix "ripped off" the bluesmen he admired, as did Zepplin, and just about everyone "ripped" them off.
Posted 17 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
Great album and one of my favorite songs of all time.
Posted 17 years ago by teapot    [ Reply ]
these guys are great live if you ever have a chance to check them out.
Posted 17 years ago by superflyLD    [ Reply ]
Hey, this is a nice one! (I'm in a good mood, so I don't mind anything)
Posted 17 years ago by Contaminator    [ Reply ]
Rather forgettable song.
Posted 17 years ago by jablan    [ Reply ]
Big. Friggin'. Deal. I mean, who cares, really? Artists are constantly inspiring, borrowing from, consciously or unconsciously influencing each other. Evolution is convergent as well as divergent. Let it roll. ongaku wrote:
The hook is a total rip off of the Eno song, Baby's on Fire.
Posted 17 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
dogdokken wrote:
So Bill will follow this song up with Tesla's "Getting Better" ... then the RP hipsters can rag on RP for playing Tesla.
RP loves Tesla. Check this out!!!
Posted 17 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
The hook is a total rip off of the Eno song, Baby's on Fire.
Posted 17 years ago by ongaku    [ Reply ]
nausicaa wrote:
it is getting better and better
So Bill will follow this song up with Tesla's "Getting Better" ... then the RP hipsters can rag on RP for playing Tesla.
Posted 17 years ago by dogdokken    [ Reply ]
serendipity_blue wrote:
Once saw them play at a frat house in Philly. Pretty lively.
Seems like the pefect venue for these boys.
Posted 18 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
Thankfully RP is playing something besides "Inside of Love". Lily
Posted 18 years ago by starlily    [ Reply ]
That doesn't make Petty a "classic master". He himself said his music was disposable crap. I wouldn't go that far, but he is not nearly in the same league as the Stones. MrSpaz wrote:
Why not? Lemme guess; the Stones' music was "groundbreaking" or "revolutionary" and Neil Young is a "storyteller" with "deep" lyrics. Well, I'll tell you what; a lot more of Tom Petty's music is simply "enjoyable." Gee, there's a concept; listening to music for the music itself.
Posted 18 years ago by casablues    [ Reply ]
drtjdel wrote:
Kinda Kinkoid.
I was thinking the same thing. Me likey!
Posted 18 years ago by moonbat    [ Reply ]
i like it for this lyric "learn to get along" a nice message
Posted 18 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
Cool. Reminds me of earlier Wilco. That's a good thing.
Posted 18 years ago by betterdaze    [ Reply ]
"that's what baby's been reduced to..."
Posted 18 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
Kinda Kinkoid.
Posted 18 years ago by drtjdel    [ Reply ]
meadowwoods wrote:
Part of this melody sounds like "Baby's On Fire."
Welcome to the party. Baby's On Fire is allegedly circulating on the LRC these days... maybe it'll finally get added.
Posted 18 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Part of this melody sounds like "Baby's On Fire."
Posted 19 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
Yeah, I was singing this to myself while making sand castles on the beach last summer.... just a 43-year old happy kid
Posted 19 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
phineas wrote:
So you're an unhappy kid.....
it is getting better and better
Posted 19 years ago by nausicaa    [ Reply ]
Gryn wrote:
This is the first time I've heard this song. I don't like it much.
So you're an unhappy kid.....
Posted 19 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
This is the first time I've heard this song. I don't like it much.
Posted 19 years ago by Gryn    [ Reply ]
i like it. its not going to change the world but its good attitude might change me
Posted 19 years ago by Hedwig    [ Reply ]
Once saw them play at a frat house in Philly. Pretty lively.
Posted 19 years ago by serendipity_blue    [ Reply ]
to my surprise I liked their live show as well... this band is growing on me, slowly, bit by bit
Posted 19 years ago by yashpheh    [ Reply ]
hey! it's a catchy tune. nice sound and good lyrics. worthy of re-play.
Posted 19 years ago by buck-arkansas    [ Reply ]
:D
Posted 19 years ago by Olympus_mons    [ Reply ]
Fat_Man_Flo wrote:
I'm popular
You're so novel....You can go out with any boy you want to! Every boy, every boy in the whole world could be yours!
Posted 19 years ago by lizardman_tcs    [ Reply ]
I'm popular
Posted 19 years ago by Fat_Man_Flo    [ Reply ]
lotus_65 wrote:
I'm a happy kid listening to this, except when I'm writing feedback to some dork who elevates Tom Petty: "Tom should be put into the same classic master catagory with the Stones and Neil Young etc." :headshake:
Why not? Lemme guess; the Stones' music was "groundbreaking" or "revolutionary" and Neil Young is a "storyteller" with "deep" lyrics. Well, I'll tell you what; a lot more of Tom Petty's music is simply "enjoyable." Gee, there's a concept; listening to music for the music itself.
Posted 20 years ago by MrSpaz    [ Reply ]
I'm a happy kid listening to this, except when I'm writing feedback to some dork who elevates Tom Petty: "Tom should be put into the same classic master catagory with the Stones and Neil Young etc." :headshake:
Posted 20 years ago by lotus_65    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
not a smurf.
:nodhead: <--- he wishes he'd said that!
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
not a smurf.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
rulebritannia wrote:
Thanks, NG. I'll give it a few more tries before it becomes an instant call for the "mute" button.
I know what you mean, but just sit back and give it a chance to wash over you. I know some people find it irritating and a turn off - I did for the first few hearings - but to me its a simple song with a catchy melody that gets to stick. Alongside plenty of stuff we hear these days, that's often good enough for me! Nada Surf are OK - not bad, not brilliant, but better than most I get to hear. actually, 'these days' I prefer something with a bit more of an edge, something that hits you full square in the guts, and gets you to challenge your thinking about music. QMS in the 60s, and despite all their faults the Pistols in the 70s, Nick Cave in the 80s, IceT and Bodycount (yes, really - you'll never hear them on RP) in the early 90s, Nirvana, Terry Hall & Mushtaq (and a whole host of world music) in the new century. OK, sorry I'm well off the point by now, but I hope you get what I'm trying to say. NG (I like that - how do you pronounce it?)
Posted 20 years ago by Ngoziman    [ Reply ]
Listening to this I realize there aren't too many straight ahead rocksongs, I find exciting, anymore. This really isn't too bad, considering that.
Posted 20 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
I have a soft spot for this song - it was on when I first connected to RP. Always diggin' it
Posted 20 years ago by pdhski    [ Reply ]
Ngoziman wrote:
I didn't rate it at first hearing, but its the kind of song that sticks in your head and you find yourself singing it to yourself.
Thanks, NG. I'll give it a few more tries before it becomes an instant call for the "mute" button.
Posted 20 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
I didn't rate it at first hearing, but its the kind of song that sticks in your head and you find yourself singing it to yourself. I even heard Hi Speed Soul the other day on the backing track to a car advert on TV. I remember the song but not the car manufacturer - great advertising boys!
Posted 20 years ago by Ngoziman    [ Reply ]
wxman wrote:
The bridge offered a bit of relief from the rest of the song. Kind of like the feeling of cold water running over a burn.
thanx. thats what I wanted to post about this song but didn't quite know how to say it. the bridge is my favorite part.
Posted 20 years ago by ladyj    [ Reply ]
The bridge offered a bit of relief from the rest of the song. Kind of like the feeling of cold water running over a burn.
Posted 20 years ago by wxman    [ Reply ]
wilderbill wrote:
The melody reminds me of Baby's On Fire by 801 and Eno. Nice tough.
I was thinking the same thing....that it would make a sweet segue with you-know-what.... and look! gotta get in line with that thought. Says some nice things about RP listeners that so many are in tune with the rhythm and feel of classic Eno.
Posted 20 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
sounds like The Verb when they were 12 yrs old practicing in their garage, and on a bad day
Posted 20 years ago by RTK    [ Reply ]
There I was with the volume cranked up for Sultans of Swing when this followed. Jolting transition. I'm still trying to recover.
Posted 20 years ago by hunters    [ Reply ]
Better throw her in the water. I hear it too. Not saying it's a ripoff, or anything bad 'cause I like the song, but it's just weird sometimes, that's all, how one song can conjure a memory of another.
Posted 21 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Chugs along pretty good, yes. I hear Kinks in there, a little. "Baby's On Fire" (and lots more o' that Eno catalog) oughta be gettin' RP airtime, hey!
Posted 21 years ago by horseplayer    [ Reply ]
This album is quite good... I have the "bonus track" version and I find it a bit long album, but the beginning is excellent with "Blizzard of 77", "The way you..."... and of couse the beautiful "Inside of love" In general is fine to hear new songs from them,... There aren't many bands like Nada Surf today.
Posted 21 years ago by qosforever    [ Reply ]
wilderbill wrote:
The melody reminds me of Baby's On Fire by 801 and Eno. Nice tough.
Baby's On Fire, eh? Reminds me of a haiku constructed on a long Stanford Band trip (not by me): Baby is on fire. Won't you put it out, Martha? But no big hurry.
Posted 21 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
The melody reminds me of Baby\'s On Fire by 801 and Eno. Nice tough.
Posted 21 years ago by wilderbill    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear something new from these guys.
Posted 21 years ago by ontheroadid    [ Reply ]
i just got this cd. and i really like it.
Posted 21 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]