Surprise Surprise

Album: Dead Silence (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Billy Talent guitarist Ian D'Sa, this tongue-in-cheek single deals with the fake reality implemented by social networks and crass commercialism. "It's definitely more pertinent to what's happening right now than anything we've done before," he told Spinner. "The whole hipster counter culture phenomenon is just being sold to them by advertisers. It's very different from any other counter culture of the past because it's based around money, it's based around advertising and American Apparel."
  • Vocalist Ben Kowalewicz explained that the song is typical of the subject matter of Dead Silence. "A lot of the album has to do with how important it is not to get caught up in material culture, internet culture and all those things that distract us from what's real," he said, "Life is real. So go for a walk, turn your phone off. Go get some sun on your face. Get some perspective."

Comments: 1

  • Emmy from Bellville, Onahhhhhh I Love Ian d'sa
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets

Curt Kirkwood of Meat PuppetsSongwriter Interviews

The (Meat)puppetmaster takes us through songs like "Lake Of Fire" and "Backwater," and talks about performing with Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged.

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?Fact or Fiction

Bradley Cooper, Michael J. Fox, Rami Malek, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow and George Clooney: Which actors really sang in their movies?