Though indie rock was his main interest when he began writing songs while attending college at La Salle University in Philadelphia, it was his parents' record collection -- the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Ronettes -- that would influence his debut album, Ordinary Time.
Ricchini initially got his start recording his songs on a four-track and sharing them with friends. Following college, he worked as a freelance music writer for the Philadelphia Weekly and Philadelphia Inquirer but quit in 2001 to focus on music full-time. He recorded Ordinary Time that year on his home computer at his south Philadelphia apartment. Ricchini contributed vocals and acoustic guitar parts, adding synthesizers, tambourine, cello, trumpet, sleigh bells, vocal harmonies, even a children's toy xylophone, not to mention parts from his band (Bill Avayou, drums and percussion; Brian Christinzio, organ, Fender Rhodes, harmony vocals; Chris Doyle, electric guitar; and Nathan Slabaugh, trumpet), recording some songs that contained as many as 30 tracks.
Dinner party music on a cold winter's night in Vermont.
"This is a summer record about the winter," Ricchini wrote in the album's liner notes, referring to the summer he spent recording an album that evokes winter's chill and endless nights. Ordinary Time, the Catholic Church's term for calendar days that do not fit into the Advent or Lent seasons, manages to balance its arrangements, orchestration, and affection for '60s California pop with the intimacy of the singer/songwriter and folk forms.
Ordinary Time was self-released as a demo in 2001 and generated a buzz in Europe as well as the United States, being named the Best Unreleased Album of that year by Salon.com. Ricchini signed a record deal with Megaforce/Transdreamer Records and Rykodisc to release Ordinary Time in October 2002 with an additional track and remastered sound.
People
Bill Ricchini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always seem to say the strangest things
Clip your wings when you fly
But I think we should try
And people
Always seem to say the cruelest things
When you're down on your luck
But when I find myself
On the floor again
I get back up
On my feet again
I knock right down
The same door again
And then I find, I've asked for more again
People
Always seem to say the kindest things
When you don't expect much
And you just need a crutch
And people
Sometimes seem to say the sweetest things
When you're down and you're out
You want a permanent pal
But when I find myself
On the floor again
I get back up
On my feet again
I knock right down
The same door again
And then I find, I've asked for more again
People
Always seem to sing the saddest songs
Is it wrong, I don't know
But honey, it's time I go
And people
Not surprised you have a little faith
Your saving grace is right here
Don't shed another tear
The song “People” by Bill Ricchini talks about how other people can bring us up or bring us down depending on the things they say. The song starts by pointing out how weird some things people say can be and how they may try to bring us down by clipping our wings when we try to fly. Ricchini then goes on to say that despite this, it’s worth trying anyway. He also points out how people can be very cruel, especially when we are at our lowest. However, he encourages us to keep pushing forward and to keep trying because we can always find something more by doing so.
The lyrics then take a more positive turn in the second verse, where he talks about how people can be kind and say the sweetest things when we need it the most. Ricchini emphasizes the importance of having someone to lean on when we are down and out. He also touches upon the fact that sometimes people sing the saddest songs, maybe in an attempt to express themselves or find solace. The song ends on a hopeful note, stating that we shouldn’t shed any more tears because our saving grace is right here.
To sum up, “People” is about how the comments and attitudes of others can influence our lives and moods. Ricchini encourages us to not let their negative comments bring us down but instead to focus on the positive things people have to say. It’s a reminder that everyone is facing challenges and we should all try to be kind to one another.
Line by Line Meaning
People
Always seem to say the strangest things
Clip your wings when you fly
But I think we should try
People tend to make unusual comments that could impede one's progress in life but I believe we should still attempt to achieve our goals despite their negativity.
And people
Always seem to say the cruelest things
When you're down on your luck
Man, they don't give a fuck
Often, people say extremely hurtful things when someone is in a vulnerable place, and unfortunately, they do not seem to care about the negative impact of their words.
But when I find myself
On the floor again
I get back up
On my feet again
I knock right down
The same door again
And then I find, I've asked for more again
Despite being knocked down multiple times in life, the singer picks themselves back up, persevering through tough situations and continuing to strive for better, even if it means facing the same obstacles repeatedly.
People
Always seem to say the kindest things
When you don't expect much
And you just need a crutch
Sometimes, when you least expect it, individuals offer kind and supportive words, acting as a crutch for you during difficult times.
And people
Sometimes seem to say the sweetest things
When you're down and you're out
You want a permanent pal
When you are feeling low and desire a long-lasting friend, people can be exceptionally compassionate and say kind things to lift your spirits.
People
Always seem to sing the saddest songs
Is it wrong, I don't know
But honey, it's time I go
People tend to focus on melancholic melodies and lyrics, and although the singer does not understand why, they feel that it is time to leave.
And people
Not surprised you have a little faith
Your saving grace is right here
Don't shed another tear
People may not be surprised that you have some degree of faith, but the true salvation or solution to your problems lies within your own capabilities, so there is no need to cry anymore.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: William Joseph Ricchini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Guillermo Acosta
Muy buena canción
Toth Gabi
People
Always seem to say the strangest things
Clip your wings when you fly
But I think we should try
And people
Always seem to say the cruelest things
When you're down on your luck
Man, they don't give a fuck
But when I find myself
On the floor again
I get back up
On my feet again
I knock right down
The same door again
And then I find, I've asked for more again
People
Always seem to say the kindest things
When you don't expect much
And you just need a crutch
And people
Sometimes seem to say the sweetest things
When you're down and you're out
You want a permanent pal
But when I find myself
On the floor again
I get back up
On my feet again
I knock right down
The same door again
And then I find, I've asked for more again
People
Always seem to sing the saddest songs
Is it wrong, I don't know
But honey, it's time I go
And people
Not surprised you have a little faith
Your saving grace is right here
Don't shed another tear
Cinthia Meléndez Xochicale
Its great!! :D