Notion

At its core, "Notion" is a deeply philosophical exploration of existentialism, mortality, and religious skepticism. The lyrics, written by frontman Brian McLaughlin, challenge the comforting promise of an afterlife (referred to as a "calming notion") and the religious dogma used to keep people in fear during their youth. Instead of finding peace in these traditional narratives, the speaker views them as fabrications—well-intentioned or manipulative lies that ultimately detract from the beauty of the present.

The song argues that human life derives its meaning entirely from its scarcity. Through the thought experiment of "pull[ing] the lever to carry on forever," the band posits that an eternal life would render our choices and experiences meaningless. By accepting death as a definitive end ("a window, a limit"), the listener is urged to appreciate the brief, fragile moments of joy (the "momentary beam of light") rather than wasting decades in sorrow or strict adherence to "ancient letters" in hopes of entering a hypothetical gate. It is a powerful call to live authentically in the physical world, finding profound value in our transient existence.

The speaker confronts the popular, comforting concepts of an afterlife and eternal continuity. They explicitly refuse the solace offered by what they view as comforting fabrications, having arrived at the realization that existence concludes definitively with physical death, with no subsequent spiritual elevation or ascension. The narrative reflects on childhood, recalling how other children spoke of a terrifying subterranean damnation that awaited them. Yet, when confronted with the reality of mortality, the speaker does not perceive these horrific illusions. Instead, they witness a finite boundary—a temporal window that presents a simple, binary choice: to live fully or not to live at all.

The perspective shifts to a thought experiment, asking whether an endless existence, granted by the pull of a metaphorical lever, would hold any genuine meaning or value. The speaker suggests that the value of life is inherently tied to its transience. They reiterate that while the fantasy of perpetuity is emotionally soothing, it is not the reality humanity has ultimately committed to. They acknowledge that life is not a constant stream of happiness or clarity; there will inevitably be dark, cloudy days, but these make the sudden, fleeting shafts of light all the more precious.

Rather than waiting through decades of bitter, tearful, and strictly regulated anticipation to pass through a hypothetical heavenly portal, the speaker urges the listener to look directly at the reality right before them. They express a passionate willingness to brave massive obstacles and cross vast oceans for the sake of savoring every fleeting, shining second of their vulnerable physical existence. Ultimately, they challenge the assumption of being entitled to a grander destiny based on ancient, written texts, concluding that while the promise of eternity is comforting, it remains a profound falsehood.

The history of "Notion" is a classic tale of independent perseverance meeting modern internet serendipity. The song was written by frontman Brian McLaughlin and recorded in 2016 by the original four-piece lineup of The Rare Occasions: Brian McLaughlin (vocals, rhythm guitar), Peter Stone (lead guitar), Jeremy Cohen (bass), and Luke Imbusch (drums). It was produced, engineered, and mixed by Steve Sacco, with assistant engineer Mitchell Robert Haeuszer, and mastered by Maria Rice. The track was released independently on August 5, 2016, as part of the band's fourth EP, Futureproof.

At the time of its release, the song received praise from indie blogs like Atwood Magazine, but remained a relatively obscure gem within the Boston and Somerville music scenes where the band had formed. In 2017, the band relocated to Los Angeles to pursue their musical careers. Crucially, the whimsical, chime-like orchestral intro that opens the track—which many listeners initially assumed was a sampled clip from a Disney film or vintage movie—was actually composed and recorded entirely from scratch by McLaughlin, showcasing the band's meticulous attention to detail.

Nearly five years later, in October 2021, "Notion" unexpectedly exploded on TikTok. Users gravitated toward a slowed-and-reverbed version of the track, using it to soundtrack videos themed around nostalgia, personal growth, and major life milestones. The viral surge pushed the song to the number one spot on Spotify's US Viral 50 chart. Recognizing the massive momentum, the band signed with Elektra Records to officially re-release the 2016 track as a major-label single in late 2021, introducing their independent catalog to hundreds of millions of new listeners worldwide.

The rhythmic and rhyming structure of "Notion" perfectly mirrors its thematic exploration of continuous, unstoppable motion. The song is written in a fast-paced, high-energy 4/4 time signature, driving forward at approximately 160 BPM. This upbeat tempo gives the dark, existential lyricism a surprisingly danceable, triumphant feel, transforming what could be a somber meditation on death into an urgent, rebellious celebration of life.

The rhyme scheme is highly dynamic, blending structured end rhymes with a heavy reliance on internal rhyming and slant rhymes. The chorus features a smooth, rolling internal rhyme ("notion" / "motion"), while the verses make use of matching sounds across lines ("younger" / "youngsters", "earth" / "staring at me"). The bridge masterfully accelerates the pacing with tight internal rhymes ("decades" / "gate" / "face"), mirroring the sensation of running out of time and forcing the vocal delivery to sync with the frantic, driving rhythm of the drums and bass. This perfect alignment of lyrical cadence and musical velocity creates a sense of breathless urgency, reinforcing the idea that life must be lived immediately and passionately.

The Rare Occasions employ a masterful blend of literary and musical techniques to give "Notion" its heart-racing, thought-provoking quality:

Literary Techniques: The song makes brilliant use of a rhetorical question in the third verse ("Would your life even matter anymore?"), forcing the listener to actively participate in the philosophical inquiry. McLaughlin uses sharp juxtaposition, placing the dark, heavy concepts of mortality and hell side-by-side with bright, warm imagery like the "momentary beam of light" and "sunshine". Consonance and assonance are woven tightly throughout the verses (e.g., the soft 'o' and 'm' sounds in "notion, perpetual in motion" and the hard 'd' and 'g' sounds in "fragile body beckons"), creating a satisfying phonaesthetic flow that rolls off the tongue.

Musical Techniques: Musically, the song relies on a high-energy garage-rock arrangement. It features a relentless, driving 16th-note high-hat pattern by drummer Luke Imbusch that mirrors the lyrical theme of tireless, forward motion. Jeremy Cohen’s thick, melodic bassline anchors the driving chord progressions, while Peter Stone’s fuzzy, distorted lead guitar provides a gritty, modern indie-rock edge. The most distinctive musical choice is the whimsical, fairytale-like orchestral intro, which sets a nostalgic, dreamlike mood before abruptly dropping into the high-octane garage-rock rhythm. This dynamic contrast mirrors the lyricism’s transition from childhood fantasy to harsh adult reality.

Though originally a quiet favorite in the independent New England music scene following its 2016 release, "Notion" achieved massive global cultural relevance through its 2021 viral revival. Its unexpected explosion on TikTok—sparked by a slowed-and-reverbed version that captured the collective, post-pandemic mood of melancholic nostalgia—transformed the independent trio into a global phenomenon overnight.

The song's cultural footprint is massive:

• Chart Success: The song climbed to the absolute top of Spotify's US Viral 50 chart in October 2021. It also crossed over to mainstream charts, peaking at #72 on the UK Singles Chart, #94 on the Canadian Hot 100, and #11 on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.
• Industry Certifications: "Notion" went on to achieve Platinum certification in the United States (RIAA) for over one million units sold, as well as Platinum in Poland and New Zealand, and Silver in the United Kingdom (BPI).
• Discography Impact: The song completely altered the trajectory of The Rare Occasions. It led to their signing with major-label Elektra Records, a reissue of the song (including an official music video and a cinematic version), and sold-out tours across North America. It remains their signature song and a defining example of how algorithmic discovery can breathe new life into older, independently produced art.

The lyrics of "Notion" are rich with metaphorical language and vivid symbolism that enhance its existential narrative:

• "Calming notion, perpetual in motion": This central metaphor symbolizes the belief in eternal life, the immortal soul, or the cyclical nature of religious reassurance. It represents the psychological comfort people cling to in order to soothe their fear of non-existence.
• "Ascending rise": An direct allusion to heaven or the concept of spiritual ascension after death, which the narrator flatly rejects.
• "Torture beneath the earth": Represents the traditional concept of Hell. The narrator highlights how these frightening images are used to indoctrinate and control "youngsters".
• "A window, a limit": Death is symbolized not as a doorway to another realm, but as a hard physical boundary. This frame defines and brings focus to the finite life contained within it, emphasizing that we must "live it, or not at all".
• "Pull the lever to carry on forever": A mechanical metaphor for choosing physical or conscious immortality, used to illustrate how endless time dilutes the value of life.
• "Salty decades": A evocative metaphor for years wasted in grief, guilt, tears, or dogmatic self-denial in anticipation of a divine reward.
• "Momentary beam of light": Symbolizes fleeting, precious moments of genuine human happiness, love, and connection that slice through the dark, uncertain reality of life.
• "Ancient letters": A direct reference to holy scriptures and ancient religious texts, which the narrator critiques as outdated promises of a debt that humanity is supposedly owed.

The most significant motif in the song is the title phrase, which undergoes a powerful thematic evolution each time it is repeated:

• First occurrence: "Sure it's a calming notion, perpetual in motion / But I don't need the comfort of any lies." Here, the phrase is introduced as an individual declaration of skepticism, setting the stage for the narrator's personal philosophy.
• Second occurrence: "Sure it's a calming notion, perpetual in motion / But it's not what you signed up for." In this instance, the narrator shifts to a collective "you," challenging the listener directly to accept the terms of their finite, mortal contract.
• Final occurrence: "Sure it's a calming notion, but it's a lie." The final line of the song drops the poetic veneer entirely, stripping away the musical momentum to leave a stark, absolute truth. This ultimate dismissal brings a sense of finality that mirrors the theme of death itself.

Additionally, the repetition of "I'm sure there won't always be sunshine / But there's this momentary beam of light" serves as a recurring thematic anchor. It balances the song's cynical worldview with a deeply optimistic and grounded appreciation for the temporary, beautiful moments of human existence.