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/
NYC Weather Report
Five for Fighting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got to get away from all these thinkers, drinking up my thoughts again
Got to get away from here,
Got to get away from all these choosers, losers, all my best of friends
Sit back new york city
You're not cute but you're oh so pretty
When the rain comes you fall in love again,
Sunny, you are a part of me
Got to get away from here,
Got to get away from all these people who need people
You know it really makes me sick
Got to get away from here,
Got to get away from expectations, recreations, just for the sake of it
Sit back new york city
You're not cute but you're oh so pretty
When the rain comes you fall in love again,
Sunny, you are a part of me
Sunny, you are the heart of me
Sit back new york city
You're not cute but you're oh so pretty
When the rain falls you fall in love again
Sit back new york city friend
Got to get away from here,
Got to get away from what I'm thinking, I'm thinking, it's too much for anyone
Got to get away from here,
Got get away from what you're drinking, you're drinking, so I'll take another one
The singer of the song NYC Weather Report is feeling overwhelmed and suffocated by his surroundings in New York City. He wants to escape from the thinkers and choosers, the people who need people and the expectations and recreations. Despite this, he still loves the city and considers it a part of him, even as he acknowledges that it's not cute, but oh so pretty. The singer finds solace in the changing weather of New York City, where the rain can bring about new love and hope. However, the constant pressure and stress that the city brings him leads him to feel like he needs to take another drink to escape it all.
The song seems to be highlighting the dialectical nature of New York City, the contrast and complexity between its ugliness and beauty, and how one can exist in this paradoxical space. Though it can be overwhelming and suffocating, there's something addictive about the city, and it can still bring about moments of hope and love despite the surrounding chaos. The song conveys the bittersweet feelings of a person who struggles with wanting to leave the city they love, but knowing they'll continue to return to it.
Line by Line Meaning
Got to get away from here,
I need to leave this place and the people who are draining my thoughts.
Got to get away from all these thinkers, drinking up my thoughts again
I need to get away from people who consume my thoughts and emotions, and eventually leave me empty and exhausted.
Got to get away from all these choosers, losers, all my best of friends
I need to get away from people who are always making choices and making mistakes, including my close friends.
Sit back new york city
I am taking a moment to appreciate New York City's beauty.
You're not cute but you're oh so pretty
New York City may not be conventionally attractive, but it holds a special kind of beauty and charm.
When the rain comes you fall in love again,
The rainy weather in New York City can bring a fresh new perspective and appreciation for the city and its atmosphere.
Sunny, you are a part of me
The sunny weather in New York City holds a special place in the singer's heart.
Sunny, you are the heart of me
The sunny weather in New York City is essential to the artist's happiness and sense of self.
Got to get away from all these people who need people
I need to separate myself from individuals who cannot function or exist without human interaction.
You know it really makes me sick
The artist finds this dependence on others to be unpleasant and undesirable.
Got to get away from expectations, recreations, just for the sake of it
I need to escape the pressure to conform, to engage in pointless activities for the sake of doing something.
When the rain falls you fall in love again
The rain in New York City can provide a fresh new outlook and appreciation for the city.
Sit back new york city friend
The singer is fondly addressing New York City as a friend.
Got to get away from what I'm thinking, I'm thinking, it's too much for anyone
The singer's thoughts and emotions have become overwhelming and they need to distance themselves from their own psyche.
Got to get away from what you're drinking, you're drinking, so I'll take another one
The singer is partaking in drinking culture and needs to break free from that and from the individuals around them who are also doing so.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN ONDRASIK, CURT SCHNEIDER, ANDREW WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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