the teenage guide to popularity

Nada Surf jouait hier en concert gratuit sur le Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville. Je reste attaché à ce groupe, à ses sympathiques membres (interviewés en 2000), et à leurs deux premiers albums, "High/Low" et surtout "the Proximity Effect" (feat. pour ce dernier les indépassables 80 Windows, Troublemakers, et the Voices).

Autant de bonnes raisons de passer les voir, donc.

Une bonne partie du public attendait "Popular", leur hit de 1996 (que je me souviens avoir découvert sur Skyrock, chez Maurice, hum)

Mais que raconte au juste cette chanson? Sans jamais m'être vraiment penché sur le texte, je la "rangeais" aux côtés de "Creep" (1993) et "Common People" (1995), dans la thématique "être ado et se sentir cool, ou pas".

Il y a effectivement de ça.
Le contexte de la chanson est celui de ces colleges / universités / high school tel qu'on l'appréhende en France via quantité de séries TV américaines.

La chanson s'adresse à une nana.
Premier point: comment (bien) larguer son copain

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 break 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 Johnny football hero in the hall
Tell him he played a great game
Tell him you liked 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 a teachers 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 Johnny
Now's the time to tell him about your one month limit
He wont 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'm a cheerleader chick

Nada Surf, Popular
high/low (1996)
www.myspace.com/nadasurf