Since the early 90's Ron has released over 200 songs through solo CDs and DVDs, and digital releases. He's had numerous appearances on compilation CDs and as a guest performer for other artists, appeared on magazine covers, and as a soloist toured internationally headlining venues and guitar festivals. In 2008 Ron released the "Abnormal" album, described as "Sex Pistols meets Queen, with innovative guitar and a quirky Zappa-esque twist..." In 2011 he released a song a month that included transcriptions, alternate mixes and recording stems, as an innovative way to release singles.
As a child, Ron would play Bach pieces with his feet. Today, his guitar-work can be heard on Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy album, the theme of VH1's "That Metal Show", the Latin acoustic guitar on Jessica Simpson's "Irresistible" dance mix, and CNN-Turkey station IDs to name a few. Live, he's just as diverse, whether touring the world with GNR or at local fundraisers (notably performing with Nancy Sinatra, Cyndi Lauper, composer Fahir Atakoglu, and jazz legend Allen Toussaint.)
A record producer and songwriter for artists and publishing companies often working out of his own studio in Princeton NJ, Ron has written theme songs and background music for shows that include So You Think You Can Dance, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brokaw, Anthony Bourdan, MTV, VH1, MuchMusic, FuseTV, CW, SpikeTV, Oxygen, E!, A&E, ESPN, UFC, WWE, NFL, MLB, NBC, PBS, and SEGA, SSI and Atari videogames.
Ron is a Professor at SUNY Purchase College teaching music production, does guitar clinics around the world, and writes articles for music magazines. He is a volunteer for many charities such as Musicians On Call visiting sick children in hospitals and the MS Research Foundation, a non-profit organization that donates funds directly to Multiple Sclerosis research.
Normal
Bumblefoot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After years of hibernation
I can walk outside for the first time
And let the sunshine touch my head
I never went an hour without
Mutilating from the inside out
But now everything's fine for the first time
Uh-huh
I try, but can't explain it
I said too much
And I feel so liberated
Feels like love
It's so nice to be normal
To be normal for a change
I used to scare up at the sky
And watch the little worm in my eye
But now all I wanna do is look at you
And fill your darkest room with light
Uh-huh
And I try, but can't explain it
I said too much
And I feel so liberated
Feels like love
It's so nice to be normal
To be normal for a change
Yeah it's so nice to be normal
But it still feels kinda strange
The noise has left my head
The voice inside is dead
Now I don't hear a sound
I never knew silence could be so loud
And I try, but can't explain it
I said too much
Yeah I feel so liberated
Feels like love
It's so nice to be normal
To be normal for a change
Yeah, it's so nice to be normal
To be normal for a change
Oh it's so nice to be normal
To be normal
Oh it's so nice to be normal
To be normal
It's so nice to be normal
But it still feels kinda strange
The first verse of Bumblefoot's song "Normal" describes the singer's experience with a new medication that has allowed them to emerge from a long period of hibernation. The sunshine touches their head for the first time, and they feel like they are "born again." The second verse goes on to describe the singer's past struggles with self-mutilation and their newfound perspective on life. They no longer look up at the sky and see little worms in their eyes; instead, they want to look at someone else and fill their darkest room with light.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's relief at feeling "normal" for a change, and how liberating it feels to no longer have to explain or justify their behavior to others. They also acknowledge that despite feeling "normal," it still feels "kinda strange."
The bridge is particularly powerful, with the singer describing how the noise in their head has left and the voice inside is dead. They are amazed at how loud the silence can be. The final chorus repeats the sentiments of the earlier choruses, with the singer reveling in their newfound sense of normalcy.
Overall, "Normal" is a song about the transformative power of medication and how it can change a person's entire outlook on life. It also touches on the struggle of feeling abnormal and the relief that comes with finally feeling "normal."
Line by Line Meaning
I just got new medication
I recently started taking new medication to manage my mental health.
After years of hibernation
After years of isolating myself and withdrawing from the world due to my mental health struggles.
I can walk outside for the first time
For the first time in a long time, I feel safe enough to leave my house and be in public.
And let the sunshine touch my head
I can finally enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.
I never went an hour without
I used to constantly suffer from self-destructive thoughts and behaviors.
Mutilating from the inside out
I would harm myself both physically and mentally on a daily basis.
But now everything's fine for the first time
With the help of medication, I finally feel like I can be at peace and in control of my thoughts and actions.
I'm feeling like I'm born again
I feel like a new person, free from the burden and pain of my mental illness.
I try, but can't explain it
I struggle to put into words how much my life has changed for the better.
I said too much
I may be sharing more than I intended, but I can't help but express my gratitude and happiness.
And I feel so liberated
I feel free from the weight of my mental illness and able to live my life more fully.
Feels like love
This newfound sense of wellness and normalcy is the closest thing to love I have ever experienced.
It's so nice to be normal
I am grateful to feel like a regular, functioning person for once.
To be normal for a change
It is a welcome change to feel like I am part of the world rather than apart from it.
I used to scare up at the sky
I used to feel overwhelmed and afraid of the world around me, even the sky would make me uneasy.
And watch the little worm in my eye
I was so consumed by my own problems that I could not see anything else.
But now all I wanna do is look at you
Now that I am feeling better, I want to connect with and appreciate the people in my life.
And fill your darkest room with light
I want to be a source of positivity and support for the people who have helped me through my struggles.
The noise has left my head
I no longer feel consumed by negative, self-defeating thoughts.
The voice inside is dead
The critical and judgmental voice in my mind has finally been silenced.
Now I don't hear a sound
I can finally experience a sense of peace and quiet within my own mind.
I never knew silence could be so loud
Silence is a new and surprising sensation for me, but it is one that is bringing me a lot of comfort and relief.
It's so nice to be normal
I am still reveling in the joy of a more normal, stable life free from the chaos of my mental illness.
But it still feels kinda strange
Although the changes are overwhelmingly positive, it is still a new and unfamiliar way of life for me.
Contributed by Lauren P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GraalVideos
love this song so much.
HOW TO PUNK
I love his voice ((((((((((:
Krakatoa Dude
This song describes me after ending my friendship with my ex best female friend, she damaged too much my emotions and ending her was like a deliverance
weesh
Should be way more popular.
Rocco Pezzin
I love Ron. really. he's a genius
TheLivingDead111
@FeelingShred I'll agree with you that he is definitely known for "Guitars Suck", but I will politely disagree that it's hard on the ears. I dig his instrumental stuff just as much as the vocal stuff. His music is all around genius.
Dr. Larry Mitchell
What a fucking song!
mathdebaterclub
This is exactly how it feels now that I'm medicated.
Rolando Cappas
great song!
Yvan Cluet
The little part after the solo from "The noise has left my head" to "so loud"... He speaks as a person who just fell off in coma right ?