Born Graham Barnes in Nottingham England, Alvin Lee took up guitar at the age of thirteen. By the age of fifteen he had formed the group Jaybirds. Following in the footsteps of earlier beat groups such as the Beatles, the Jaybirds played the clubs in Hamburg, Germany to great local acclaim. On returning to London in 1966, the group changed its name to Ten Years After.
Ten Years After scored hits with many albums and became a popular touring band. The band gained note in America after their appearance at Woodstock in 1969.
Lee's guitar work on ‘I’m Going Home’ on the 'Woodstock' album and film remains a standard for many rock guitarists to emulate.
Ten Years After played a mix of rock and blues tinged with jazz. In 1973, Lee left Ten Years After to pursue a solo career.
His first work was a collaborative effort with American gospel singer Mylon LeFevre on an album entitled On The Road To Freedom; other artists on the album included George Harrison, Mick Fleetwood and Steve Winwood. A year later he formed the band Alvin Lee & Company and released a double live album recorded at the Rainbow in London, In Flight.
Lee continued to record albums and play live until his death in 2013, thrilling audiences with his guitar virtuoso and nimble fingered fret work.
Having recorded over twenty albums, some of the key solo works Alvin Lee has recorded are:
1973 On The Road To Feedom
1974 In Flight
1975 Pump Iron
1976 Let it Rock
1978 Rocket Fuel
1979 Ride On
1980 Freefall
1981 RX5
1986 Detroit Diesel
1992 Zoom
1994 I Hear You Rockin
1996 Live In Vienna
2004 In Tennessee
2007 Saguitar
2012 Still On The Road To freedom
Official Website: Alvin Lee
You can also see Alvin Lee & Ten Years After and / or Alvin Lee & Co and / or Ten Years After and or Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later and / or The Alvin Lee Band on Last.fm.
Ordinary Man
Alvin Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been giving it my best, ain't no time to take a rest
Just an ordinary man, and I keep doing what I can
Nobody can say I'm doing wrong - honey, I'm just trying to get a long
Just an ordinary man,
Just an ordinary man
Ain't no time for fooling 'round, 'cause there's too much going down
Well, the money's getting thin - I got to keep it coming in
I'm an ordinary man and I'm doing what I can
Got to keep on pushing,
Lord, I'm just an ordinary man
I've been working day and night, tryin' to make it all come right
I've been giving it my best, ain't no time to take a rest
Just an ordinary man, and I keep doing what I can
Nobody can say I'm doing wrong - honey, I'm just trying to get a long
Just an ordinary man, just an ordinary man
Just an ordinary man, just an ordinary man.
The lyrics to Alvin Lee's song Ordinary Man reflect the struggles of an average person who is simply trying to make it through life. The singer begins by describing the hard work he has been putting in, day and night, in order to make things right. He acknowledges that he has been giving it his best shot and that there is no time for rest. Despite this, the singer is content with just being an ordinary man, trying to do what he can to get by.
As the song progresses, the singer continues to emphasize the importance of hard work, pointing out that there is no time for fooling around, as there is too much going on. He acknowledges that money is getting tight, but he remains determined to keep pushing forward. He reiterates that he is just an ordinary man, doing the best he can.
Overall, the lyrics to Ordinary Man speak to the struggles and realities that many people face on a daily basis. The song acknowledges the importance of hard work, perseverance, and resilience in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that even the most ordinary of individuals can make a difference and achieve success through their determination and effort.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been working day and night, tryin' to make it all come right
I have been putting in tireless efforts day and night, trying to make everything right.
I've been giving it my best, ain't no time to take a rest
I give my best every day, with no time for rest.
Just an ordinary man, and I keep doing what I can
I am just an ordinary person, but I keep doing what I can.
Nobody can say I'm doing wrong - honey, I'm just trying to get a long
No one can fault me for trying, I am just trying to make a living.
Just an ordinary man,
I am nothing special, just an average person.
I've been keeping things in line, I've been using all my time
I have been keeping things in order, utilizing every bit of my time.
Ain't no time for fooling 'round, 'cause there's too much going down
I cannot waste time with frivolous activities, there is too much happening.
Well, the money's getting thin - I got to keep it coming in
My finances are running low, I have to ensure a steady income.
I'm an ordinary man and I'm doing what I can
Again, I am just an average person, nothing special, and I do what I can.
Got to keep on pushing,
I have to keep going, keep pushing forward regardless.
Lord, I'm just an ordinary man
As I said before, I am just an ordinary person.
Just an ordinary man, just an ordinary man
There is nothing remarkable or noteworthy about me, I am simply an average person.
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.