John Ondrasik was born in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. He grew up there in a musical family, with his mother teaching him the piano from the age of two. As a teenager, he learned how to play the guitar as well and started to write music. While he also learned to sing opera briefly, he quickly decided that he would like to be a piano playing popular musician along the lines of Elton John and Billy Joel. Ondrasik adopted the name "Five for Fighting" which is an expression in ice hockey when a player is sent from the rink by the referee for a major penalty. The name was used for the reason that it would be more memorable than his real name.
In 1997, his first album, 'Message for Albert', was released by EMI. Although not quite breaking through commercially, fans of modern singer-songwriter music provided a warm audience for Ondrasik. After the success of 'America Town', Capitol Records re-released this debut album to give it a more mainstream audience.
In 2000, Ondrasik signed with the aforementioned Columbia Records and released 'America Town' on September 26, 2000. At first, it made little impact until track "Superman (It's Not Easy)" became an American anthem after the September 11 attacks. Ondrasik performed the song at 'The Concert for New York Cit'y in late 2001.
"Superman (It's Not Easy)" started climbing the charts reaching the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Adult Top 40. While 'America Town' itself failed to make the top 50 of the Billboard 200 album charts, its consistent sales led to it going platinum. "Superman (It's Not Easy)" was also an international hit reaching number one on a composite adult international chart (based on performance in the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Australia). Ondrasik's second single, "Easy Tonight", would make the top 20 of the world adult chart as well as going top 20 in New Zealand.
His third album, 'The Battle for Everything', debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 in February 2004. Its first single, "100 Years", was another top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and again reached number one on the World Adult Top 40. It also was number one on a composite world airplay chart and top 10 on a composite world modern rock chart. (based on USA, Germany, United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Canada and Australia).
The Five for Fighting song "100 Years" was used in a ubiquitous JP Morgan Chase commercial, and more recently in an episode of Scrubs. The song was also used in the last scenes of the final episode of JAG.
Lately, Ondrasik's sixth album, 2013's 'Bookmarks', came out after a four year gap between his last release. The album has received critical praise from a variety of publications such as Allmusic, where the reviewer lauded how Five for Fighting produced " sturdy tunes wrapped up neatly in a shiny, appealing gloss". Released by the label Universal, his work also hit the #54 slot on the Billboard 200, with his fans happily looking forwards to his future endeavors.
See more at: http://www.fiveforfighting.com/
(European B-Side)
Five for Fighting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I'd write the European B-side or 2
See Mr. Merry's in the garden
Trying to tie his high top shoes
Johnny's off of daff-dill mountian
Praying for the news
if you'd...be my friend
Thanks to all that you made me replace
For all you gave to me you left on my face
See Mr. Merry is the garden
Bella's taking ludes
Daddy's off without a pardon
But nothing left to lose
and Oh what a piece I am
Oh what a piece I am
If you'd...be my friend
if you
would you
be my friend
In these lyrics from Five for Fighting's "European B-Side," the singer expresses gratitude for someone who has paid for his room while he writes a European B-side or two. The lyrics then describe various individuals and their situations. Mr. Merry is in the garden, trying to tie his high top shoes, while Johnny is on Daff-Dill Mountain praying for news. Bella is taking ludes, or sedatives, and Daddy is off without a pardon, but with nothing left to lose. The singer seems to be reflecting on the people around him and their struggles, and longing for friendship.
The repeated line, "Oh what a piece I am," suggests a sense of self-doubt or self-deprecation, highlighting a desire for connection with others. The phrase "if you'd...be my friend" implies that the singer sees friendship as a solution to his own feelings of inadequacy. Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of individuals with various challenges and struggles, and the singer seems to be seeking companionship amidst it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Finally in the meantime since you paid for my room
Now that you have paid for my room, I figured I'd use this time to create some new music like an extra European B-side or two.
See Mr. Merry's in the garden
I notice that Mr. Merry is outside in his garden.
Trying to tie his high top shoes
He seems to be struggling to tie his high top shoes.
Johnny's off of daff-dill mountian
Johnny has gone to Daff-Dill Mountain, perhaps for some alone time or to reflect.
Praying for the news
Johnny is anxiously waiting and praying for some news that he is expecting.
and Oh what a piece I am
Though I am not perfect, there is something special about me.
if you'd...be my friend
If you were to become my friend, you would see the value that I bring.
Thanks to all that you made me replace
I appreciate all the lessons that you have taught me, even if they resulted in me having to replace things.
For all you gave to me you left on my face
You may have given me many things, but they have also left marks on my face or my life.
Bella's taking ludes
I observe that Bella is taking ludes, a type of medication often used for anxiety or insomnia.
Daddy's off without a pardon
I notice that Daddy is gone without permission or explanation.
But nothing left to lose
Despite the loss of relationships or possessions, there is nothing left for me to lose.
Oh what a piece I am
Again, I acknowledge that I am not perfect, but I have something unique to offer.
Oh what a piece I am
I repeat my earlier statement that there is something special about me.
If you'd...be my friend
Once again, I express that you could benefit from being my friend, as I could benefit from having yours.
if you
would you
be my friend
One last time, I question whether you would become my friend, knowing that we could both benefit from one another.
Contributed by Molly J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Kiki-ug3lm
I was 45 when this came out. Little did I know the chilling accuracy of these words, "I'm 45 for a moment, the sea is high and I'm heading into a crisis." My crisis was breast cancer. I'm 63 for a moment and looking back with gratitude on these last 17 breast-cancer-free years. Each day, each breath is a gift.
@offthepost8510
LETS GOOOOO
@JWhite10
CONGRATS SO PROUD OF YOU
@mikejacobs2886
Absolutely, each day is a gift. You beat the odds, want through terrible pain and look at you now, still standing like a Boss. So many, many people never got to see 45, or 17 for that matter. You definitely received a miracle. I'll pray for you to have many more years since so many were taken from you. God has blessed you.
@gggracing113.
Amen 🙏 god bless you!
@cbernard1982
God has plans for everyone. My mom was cancer free around the same age as yours but had a cancer recurrence around May last year. The doctor said that she had at least six months left. She was a woman of faith and wanted to see he grandchildren grow up, which she eventually experienced. Sadly, she left us behind last year. Please have your annual medical check-ups done, as she has failed to do so during the Pandemic.
@mysticmom616
I’m 60 years old. I can’t listen to this song without crying. Ever. Life is so fast and fleeting….
@cheekon3559
I can't listen to this song either maybe I'm part dog or something because when all the high pitch screeching starts it physically hurts me.
@71909pebbles
62 dying wife kids times short man
@pennypeters8373
Isn't it truth, This song tells it like it is people should really listen. You think you got time. Then it flies by.