While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. But there is seemingly no way out but death. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. This boring, 'perfect' life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. People are being used by those in power 'like a pig in a cage on antibiotics'-being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song.

The hurt makes you different (You'll be a freak), but in the end you're not alone because she is like you - and she'll always be there (And I'll keep you company). She tells him that things won't get better by themselves (Don't cross your finger/Sundays will never change), the world and the bullies will always be out there (They keep on coming). But she knows it's hard but can help you when it feels too continue (Signal if you can't/Say, 'no more'). But she says you can bring yourself out by taking your life back (Don't be a fool, make it easier/You'll learn to say when). She says I see you are hurting because she was there too (Say you were me/Then you could see the view/You'll know we are equally damaged). She tells him to take things slowly (Find your name/Do it all the same equally) and to ask for help when it's too much (Signal when you can't breathe no more).

Perhaps it's a loss, or bullying, or depression but the singer sees how it has broken him and it's familiar (Guess we're equally damaged). The song is about reaching out to someone who has been suffering deeply by themselves (Maybe again/he will be alone)and to help them come out of the darkness.

Blonde redhead for the damaged coda