Ordinary World
Duran Duran - Topic Lyrics
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Thought I heard you talking softly
I turned on the lights, the TV, and the radio
Still I can't escape the ghost of you
What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is the life that I recognize?Gone away
But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive
Passion or coincidence
Once prompted you to say
"Pride will tear us both apart"
Well, now pride's gone out the window
Cross the rooftops
Run away
Left me in the vacuum of my heart
What is happening to me?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away
But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary world
I will learn to survive
(Just blown away)
Papers in the roadside
Tell of suffering and greed
Fear today, forgot tomorrow
Ooh, here besides the news
Of holy war and holy need
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk
And I don't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive
Every world
Is my world
(I will learn to survive)
Any world
Is my world
(I will learn to survive)
Any world
Is my world
"Ordinary World" by Duran Duran is a reflective song about moving on from a painful past and learning to survive in the present. The lyrics paint a picture of a man coming home and trying to escape the memories of his lost love. He turns on the TV, radio, and lights, but she still haunts him. He wonders where his old life has gone and why his friend isn't there to help him. Despite this, he refuses to cry for yesterday and accepts that he must find a way to survive in the ordinary world.
The second verse adds more depth to the story as it reveals that the loss is due to pride tearing them apart. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the need to find an ordinary world and learn to survive. The bridge touches on the worldly issues of suffering, greed, fear, and war, but states that their sorrow is just a little talk in comparison. The song ends with a repeated affirmation that every world is his world and he will learn to survive.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ordinary World" encourage the listener to move on from the past and take control of their present. It expresses the pain of loss, but also the hope of finding an ordinary life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Came in from a rainy Thursday on the avenue
I arrived home on a rainy day and began thinking
Thought I heard you talking softly
I thought I heard someone talking to me softly
I turned on the lights, the TV, and the radio
I tried to distract myself by turning on the lights, TV, and radio
Still I can't escape the ghost of you
Despite my efforts, I can't get you out of my mind
What has happened to it all?
I am wondering what has happened to my life
Crazy, some'd say
Some people might think I'm crazy
Where is the life that I recognize?
I am struggling to find the life I used to know
Gone away
It has disappeared
But I won't cry for yesterday
Although I miss my past life, I won't cry over it
There's an ordinary world
There is a simple life to be found
Somehow I have to find
I need to figure out how to get there
And as I try to make my way to the ordinary world
As I attempt to find a simpler life
I will learn to survive
I will learn how to live in this new world
Passion or coincidence
Our meeting may have been caused by either love or chance
Once prompted you to say
One time you said to me
"Pride will tear us both apart"
"Our pride will make our relationship fall apart"
Well, now pride's gone out the window
Now that our relationship has ended, our pride doesn't matter
Cross the rooftops, run away
You have left me and I feel abandoned
Left me in the vacuum of my heart
I feel empty and alone
What is happening to me?
I am confused about my feelings
Crazy, some'd say
Some people might think I'm crazy
Where is my friend when I need you most?
I feel like I don't have anyone to turn to
Gone away
My friend, or anyone who could help, isn't here
Papers in the roadside tell of suffering and greed
The news reports tell stories about all of the world's suffering and corruption
Fear today, forgot tomorrow
People are afraid of everything today, but they forget about the fears of tomorrow
Ooh, here besides the news of holy war and holy need
In the midst of all this news, we hear about battles and people's religious needs
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk
Our problems seem small and insignificant compared to the world's bigger issues
Every world is my world
I can find my place in any world
(I will learn to survive)
I will learn and adapt to my surroundings
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Warren Cuccurullo, Nigel John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Simon John Charles Le-Bon
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