Notion

Meaning of the song Notion by The Rare Occasions

The lead singer of the American indie rock group The Rare Occasions, Brian McLaughlin, wrote the song "Notion". In 2016, it was originally made available on its own as a part of their Futureproof EP. On TikTok, the song became well-known in October 2021. The song's resurgence in popularity prompted the band to reissue it as a single.

The term "Notion" refers to religion, more precisely, to not believing in it. Though what religious books say may not be real, the starting line ("Sure it's a calming notion, perpetual in motion, but I don't need the comfort in any lies") and the closing line ("Sure it's a calming notion, but it's a lie") explain how religious writings calm individuals.

Atwood Magazine's Mitch Mosk stated in his 2016 review of the EP Futureproof that the song inspires one to think on how "life has its ups and downs, but that isn't a reason to not live each day to our fullest potential."

Lyrics of the song Notion by The Rare Occasions

Sure it's a calming notion, perpetual in motion

But I don't need the comfort of any lies

For I have seen the ending and there is no ascending rise

Oh, back when I was younger, was told by other youngsters

That my end will be torture beneath the earth

'Cause I don't see what they see when death is staring at me

I see a window, a limit, to live it, or not at all

If you could pull the lever to carry on forever

Would your life even matter anymore?

Sure it's a calming notion, perpetual in motion

But it's not what you signed up for

I'm sure there won't always be sunshine

But there's this momentary beam of light

You don't have to wait those salty decades

To get through the gate it's all in front of your face

I'm sure there won't always be sunshine

I'm sure there won't always be sunshine

But there's this momentary beam of light

I could cross the ocean in a fit of devotion

For every shining second this fragile body beckons

You think you're owed it better believing ancient letters

Sure it's a calming notion but it's a lie