"Notion" is a song by American indie rock band The Rare Occasions, written by lead singer Brian McLaughlin. It was first released independently as part of their Futureproof EP on August 5, 2016. The song went viral on TikTok and YouTube in October 2021, with a slowed version of the song being used in videos portraying nostalgia, also for reaching subscriber goals in which they just passed.[1] The renewed popularity of the song led the band to re-release it as a single.
Meaning
"Notion" is about life. How we should enjoy life to the fullest and that living forever, although it seems like something wonderful, it isn't. First, a lyric in the song says "Sure it's a calming notion, perpetual in motion, but I don't need the comfort of any lies" the first lyric means that knowing that you will live forever can be comforting and something reassuring. Perpetual motion is a forever or ongoing motion of something, whether that be a machine, a song, or in this case, life. The last phrase says that although the reassurance may be comforting it is- indeed- a lie and will never be possible. Another lyric to analyze is " If you could pull the lever, to carry on forever, would your life even matter anymore?" This lyric means that if you could live forever, is life even worth living anymore? If you knew that you would never die, is that even reassurance anymore? it only takes away a basic function of a living organism.So, although living forever seems like something many people desire,disturbing the cycle of life and having fake security only makes that scenario more of a tragedy. Another song by The Rare Occasions Futureproof Mitch Mosk of Atwood Magazine wrote that the song makes one consider that "Life has its ups and its downs, but that isn't a reason to not live each day to our fullest potential."[2]
Reception
"Notion" entered the UK Singles Chart for two weeks and peaked at number 72.[3]
Personnel
The Rare Occasions
- Brian McLaughlin – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, orchestral arrangement
- Peter Stone – lead guitar
- Jeremy Cohen – bass guitar
- Luke Imbusch – drums, percussion
Technical
- Maria Rice – mastering
- Steve Sacco – production, mixing, recording
- Mitchell Haeuszer – recording
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
References
- ^ Wasylak, Victoria (October 18, 2021). "Boston Thriving: The Rare Occasions top Spotify's 'Viral 50 – USA' chart". Vanyaland. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ Mosk, Mitch (August 11, 2016). "Our Take: Daring and Depth on the Rare Occasions' "Futureproof" EP". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "Rare Occasions | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of March 5, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of February 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Rare Occasions". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "The Rare Occasions – Notion". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 11/2/2022 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of February 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of February 26, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – The Rare Occasions – Notion". Radioscope. Retrieved April 14, 2025. Type Notion in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 31, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Notion in the search box.
- ^ "British single certifications – Rare Occasions – Notion". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 14, 2025. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Notion Rare Occasions in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "American single certifications – The Rare Occasions – Notion". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
External links