As a teenager, Barker was known to sing heavy metal and soul covers at high-school assemblies. She first entered the British music scene via the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2002, where she appeared with Rob Jackson, Boo Hewerdine’s guitarist. The success of this performance led them to form a band called the-low-country, in which Barker was the songwriter and front person. They released two albums (the first being in 2003), played numerous alt-country venues and festivals, and enjoyed several plays on John Peel’s show.
2005 saw the birth of Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo, consisting of Barker and the all-female trio of Anna Jenkins, Jo Silverston and Gill Sandell who collectively provide backing harmony vocals and who respectively play violin, cello and musical saw, and accordion, piano and flute.
The band’s second studio album, Despite The Snow, was recorded in live sessions in a 16th century barn in Norfolk. Self-released in November 2008 on Emily’s own label Everyone Sang, the album again garnered much praise.
February 2011 saw the release of Almanac. Dear River followed in 2013.
* Official site
Ordinary
Emily Barker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wrap all your fingers round the roots of a tree
Count Mississippis till you see stars
Two restless boys in a country town
Doing anything to keep from feeling ordinary
Got a cheap board and paddled out through open water
Where you bargain with a God to stay alive
Does everything to keep you from feeling ordinary
Waves throw you round and drag you under
But it was you who stole the air from my lungs
Fooled around with death, gambled my last breath
Wanted you to see me as someone more than ordinary
Trace the shape of my life around the headland
Catch a ride on a memory to the shore
Staring at the sun, I've finally begun
To see the beauty in things ordinary
Staring at the sun, I've finally begun
To see the beauty in things ordinary
The lyrics to Emily Barker's song "Ordinary" explore the idea of how two restless boys in a small town are willing to do anything to keep themselves from feeling ordinary. The song depicts how they seek adventure by diving into the river, paddling through open water, and playing with the waves. They defy death by gambling their last breath and try to find true beauty in the ordinary things around them. The singer finds solace in seeing the beauty in everyday things, something she hasn't noticed before.
The line "count Mississippi till you see stars" is a meditation technique to help calm and slow down the breathing rate which helps relax and soothe the mind. The lyrics indicate that the two boys are seeking thrills by going to the extremes of their comfort zone, be it paddling out through open water or diving down into a river. The dance beneath the skin and of sweet adrenalin refers to their addiction to the feeling of adrenaline that escalates when they take risks.
The song seems to depict how the singer is amazed by the boys' sense of adventure and their willingness to take risks, demonstrating bravery and fearlessness. The song suggests that life is not always about chasing something spectacular; instead, it's a slow process of finding beauty in the ordinary, mundane things around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a deep breath and dive down into the river
Take a deep breath and plunge yourself into the unknown
Wrap all your fingers round the roots of a tree
Hold onto something that is grounded and stable
Count Mississippis till you see stars
Take a moment to stop and appreciate the beauty of the world around you
Two restless boys in a country town
Two young men trying to define themselves in a place that makes them feel stuck
Doing anything to keep from feeling ordinary
Desperate to break from the mundane and find purpose in their lives
Got a cheap board and paddled out through open water
Found something affordable and accessible to explore something new
Where you bargain with a God to stay alive
Overcoming personal fears and testing your limits
And the dance beneath your skin oh of sweet adrenalin
Thrill of taking risks
Does everything to keep you from feeling ordinary
The rush of energy can keep you from feeling like just another person
Waves throw you round and drag you under
The unforgiving nature of life's challenges
But it was you who stole the air from my lungs
You took my breath away
Fooled around with death, gambled my last breath
Risking everything for a chance to feel truly alive
Wanted you to see me as someone more than ordinary
Desperate for recognition and validation
Trace the shape of my life around the headland
Reflecting on the path your life has taken
Catch a ride on a memory to the shore
Nostalgic for the past, and the innocence that has been lost
Staring at the sun, I've finally begun
Realizing the beauty in simplicity
To see the beauty in things ordinary
Finding joy in the mundane
Staring at the sun, I've finally begun
Realizing the beauty in simplicity
To see the beauty in things ordinary
Finding joy in the mundane
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: EMILY BARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anneparker9275
Beautiful!
@migueladolfomartinezsuarez7748
Extraordinary , Emily Fantastic. Tank you
@mishaplotnick6129
I had a stoke when I was listening to this song now it feels dangerous
@EmilyBarker
that's awful news! have you recovered?
@RabbitofPeace
🐰
Fantastic Vibe.❤️
love the video......❤️
❤️ s ❤️ u ❤️ b ❤️ with love.❤️
Much success and happiness.❤️
St ay safe and con nec ted ❤️
🐰👍