His three solo albums- 1999's 'Black The Sun', 2001's 'Watching Angels Mend', and 2003's 'Distant Light'- have collectively sold more than half a million copies. As well, following the release of each album he has been awarded an ARIA for Best Male Artist (2000, 2001, 2003). 2000 also saw him win an ARIA for Best New Talent. But Lloyd managed to be more than accomplished album artist with a penchant for experimentation and an intuitive gift for melody. His iconic 2001 single "Amazing" was not only voted Song of the Year in the prestigious, listener-voted Triple J Hottest 100 poll in 2001- it also secured an APRA Award (the songwriters awards) in 2002 for Song of the Year'. The track ended up being the played song on Australian radio that same year.
Given such heady success, it's no surprise Lloyd spent most of 2004 out of the spotlight, savouring the time he could now spend with his new-born son, Jake, as well as his wife of three years, Amelia. But as Lloyd conceded, domestic bliss also had its ancillary benefits- especially for a songwriter with a studio out the back who's set to commence recording for his fourth album in a few days time in Seattle's London Bridge Studios.
"I've had plenty of time to write this record which has been a really good luxury compared with my previous albums", he says. "This time I've been writing in my own space instead of writing in hotel rooms. So although I haven't even started recording, already the songs feel more finished".
In many ways, the new album - which at this stage should be released in the fourth quarter of 2005 - marks a new beginning for Lloyd. He has a new record label (SONY BMG), new management and a new family, and says the songs he's penned reflect the changes that have occurred in his life over the past few years. "There's a lot of emotion involved. In a way, I see this album as being about having a new family and losing an old one".
The new album will be produced by Rick Parashar whose production credits include Pearl Jam's Ten, Alice In Chain's Dirt and Blind Melon's debut. On first glance it seems an unlikely pairing but if you strip back those albums you'll find songs full of raw emotion and inventive arrangements. And that sounds like Alex Lloyd.
Parashar was actually classically trained in India, and for Lloyd, the perspective that brings is important. "This is a new beginning for me. I'm after something different and Rick offers me that. I want to work with people who are fresh and have a fresh approach to the whole Alex Lloyd thing. For the first time in my life, I don't have any expectations except to make a great record. I'm not trying to predetermine the style. I'm taking 16 songs with me, I'm in Seattle for two months and hopefully I'll write a lot more".
"So I guess it is pretty important to me but other records I've made I haven't been unhappy with..it's just been a different approach..and I just feel I've come full circle back to the beginning again."
2) Alex Lloyd, an electronica musician from Oxford, England, who is signed to the independent record label Ninja Tune under his alias, PRDCTV.
www.myspace.com/prdctv
Ordinary Boy
Alex Lloyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
our broken ships are set to sail again.
Yeah, you've got a voice, yet you made the choice,
tired of all this pulling on your strings.
You've got so much to give,
but now you're moving out,
'cause you've got to live.
This ain't no ordinary, stationery boy,
he waits for you to bear it.
Cover him with joy,
he's been waiting for a long time,
waiting so long...
As you blindly run, stumble in the sun,
mostly 'cause you know your heart is true.
Exit up ahead, with a common thread,
as conversation fills you up in you.
You've got so much to give,
but now you're moving out,
'cause you've got to live.
This ain't no ordinary, stationery boy,
he waits for you to bear it.
Cover him with joy,
he's been waiting for a long time,
waiting so long...
You've got so much to give,
but now you're moving out,
'cause you've got to live.
This ain't no ordinary, stationery boy,
he waits for you to bear it.
Cover him with joy,
he's been waiting for a long time,
waiting so long...
The lyrics of Alex Lloyd's "Ordinary Boy" tells a story of a person who is tired of being controlled and wishes to break free. The "crooked trail" and "broken ships" represent a difficult journey, but the person is determined to set sail again. This decision was made because they are tired of feeling like a puppet, with someone else pulling their strings. They know they have so much to offer but are forced to leave because they need to live their life on their terms.
As the person continues their journey, they stumble upon an exit that leads them to someone who brings them joy. The "ordinary, stationery boy" referred to in the song is not a typical boy; he is waiting for the person to bear their true feelings and to cover him with joy. He has been waiting for the person for a long time, indicating that this connection has been a long time coming. The chorus repeats several times, emphasizing the idea that the person has so much to offer, and the "ordinary boy" has been waiting for them for a long time.
Overall, "Ordinary Boy" is about finding the strength to break free from control and finding comfort in someone who has been waiting for you to be yourself.
Line by Line Meaning
So we're setting sail, on a crooked trail,
We are embarking on a journey that might not be straight-forward, but we are determined to go ahead with it.
our broken ships are set to sail again.
Our previous endeavors may have failed, but we are giving it another go with renewed hope.
Yeah, you've got a voice, yet you made the choice,
You possess the ability to express yourself, but you opted to relinquish control over your own life.
tired of all this pulling on your strings.
You're exhausted from being manipulated and controlled by external forces.
You've got so much to give,
You possess great potential or resources.
but now you're moving out,
You're leaving your current situation.
'cause you've got to live.
You're making choices that will allow you to fully experience life.
This ain't no ordinary, stationery boy,
You're not a static or unchanging individual. Instead, you're full of potential and growth.
he waits for you to bear it.
He is waiting for you to take on the challenges and opportunities that life has to offer.
Cover him with joy,
Embrace the happiness and fulfillment that life has to offer.
he's been waiting for a long time,
You've been holding back or waiting for too long before taking risks and seizing opportunities.
waiting so long...
Don't delay any longer. Take action now to live your life to the fullest.
As you blindly run, stumble in the sun,
You may be uncertain and disoriented, but you're still moving forward and striving for a better life.
mostly 'cause you know your heart is true.
You're following your intuition and pursuing what truly matters to you.
Exit up ahead, with a common thread,
There's an opportunity for change or growth that is connected to your past or present circumstances.
as conversation fills you up in you.
As you engage with others, you experience a sense of renewal or inspiration.
Contributed by Kaylee I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.