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/
Bella's Birthday Cake
Five for Fighting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And took a set and lock into a fellow man, Bella
She said I brought her back to some old better man, Bella
See, Bella's she was born today, feeling kinda spry
Bella's birthday cake was burning yeah, like lightening, or like fire
Oh, Bella's birthday cake was burning
Bella made her bed and read every loneliest night of the year
And talkin' to the Wretches of her rocking chair
Bella
And flipped her quiet through her everywhere's
I tell ya
Bella, she was born today, feeling kinda spry
Bella's birthday cake was burning yeah like lightening, or like fire, oh
Bella's birthday cake was burning, yeah
My yard and forest fire
Woo-ooh, oh
Cold wind over the lawn she left her friend
Spirits and bats was what she said
And over her mountain tops she drowned me off where, I can't remember, no
Bella played the bridge on the second loneliest night of the year
Bella she was born today
Bella (Bella, Bella, Bella)
Bella (Bella, Bella, Bella)
Bella (Bella, Bella, Bella)
Bella (Bella, Bella, Bella)
Bella's birthday cake was burning
Bella's birthday cake was burning
Bella's birthday cake was burning
Bella's birthday cake was burning
(And the heat is gone)
Bella's birthday cake was burning
(And the heat is gone)
Fifty years woo-hoo-hoo
(And the heat is gone)
Bella's birthday cake was burnin' burnin' burnin'
(And the heat is gone)
Bella
Bella
Whoo
The lyrics to Five for Fighting's song Bella's Birthday Cake are somewhat cryptic and open to interpretation. The song seems to be about a woman named Bella who is born on the day the song is set on, and it is her birthday celebration that is referenced throughout the song. Bella appears to be a complex character who frequently feels lonely, although it is not clear why. The lyrics mention that she plays the bridge every second loneliest night of the year and takes a set and lock into a fellow man, which could suggest that she is a musician who plays to try to connect with others. She makes her bed and reads every loneliest night of the year, talking to the wretches of her rocking chair, which could imply that she spends a lot of time by herself and perhaps has a sense of melancholy or regret about her life.
The chorus of the song, which mentions Bella's burning birthday cake, is perhaps the most puzzling part of the lyrics. It could be interpreted in a number of ways - the burning cake could represent the passage of time, the pain of growing older or the intensity of Bella's emotions. The line "like lightning, or like fire" suggests that Bella's feelings are intense and perhaps difficult to control. The song ends on an enigmatic note, with Bella's voice calling out repeatedly over the chorus of the song. It leaves the listener wondering about the meaning of the song and what exactly Bella's story is.
Line by Line Meaning
Bella played the Bridge every second loneliest night of the year
Bella often played Bridge on nights that made her feel lonely, specifically the second loneliest night of the year.
And took a set and lock into a fellow man, Bella
Bella played Bridge with a partner and together they took a set (won a round) and locked down their opponents.
She said I brought her back to some old better man, Bella
Bella's partner complimented her by saying that she brought out the best in him and made him feel like a better version of himself.
See, Bella's she was born today, feeling kinda spry
It's Bella's birthday and she's feeling upbeat and energetic.
Bella's birthday cake was burning yeah, like lightening, or like fire
Bella's birthday cake was very hot and could be compared to lightning or fire.
Bella made her bed and read every loneliest night of the year
When Bella felt lonely, she would often make her bed and spend the night reading.
And talkin' to the Wretches of her rocking chair
Bella would also talk to herself or perhaps imaginary beings while sitting in her rocking chair on these lonely nights.
Bella flipped her quiet through her everywhere's
Bella managed to maintain her calm demeanor even though she dealt with loneliness in different areas of her life.
Cold wind over the lawn she left her friend
On a cold night, Bella left her friend outside on the lawn.
Spirits and bats was what she said
Bella mentioned seeing or speaking to spirits and bats.
Bella's birthday cake was burning yeah like lightening, or like fire, oh
Bella's birthday cake was still very hot, even after several mentions, and could be compared to lightning or fire.
My yard and forest fire
The burning of Bella's birthday cake may have been so intense it felt like a wildfire in her backyard or nearby forest.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN ONDRASIK, MARK HERMAN, MARK HERMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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