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/
Note To An Unknown Soldier
Five for Fighting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never met you
For laughs I'll call you Sam
You were the son
Of Mrs. Someone
I hope she understands
Sam you were all that you had
I never knew you
But I'm told you're the best we had
Were you so tall
Did you play Basketball
Was there a sweetheart at home
Did you write her letters
Did it make you better face the great unknown
Sam did you feel alone
You were so far from home
I never knew you
But I know you're the best man I know
Could you tell it was time
See it coming in the back of your mind
When it was over, was it over
Sam I'm glad you're on my side
I don't know you
I never met you
Can I call you Sam
Did you have a son
A daughter with a little one
I might go and thank Sam you're the best that we have
You make me happy and sad
If you were here, I'd buy the beers
I'd shake your hand and say good man
And though the sun would shine about the same
It's a better world because you came
Sincerely yours, my kids will know your name
The song "Note To An Unknown Soldier" by Five for Fighting is a poignant tribute to the brave soldiers who died for their country, but whose identity is unknown. The lyrics of the song are a letter addressed to one such soldier, referred to as "Sam". The singer acknowledges that he never met Sam and doesn't know anything about him, but still feels a deep connection with him because he is a hero who gave his life for his country. The singer wonders about Sam's life and speculates about whether he had a girlfriend or family waiting for him at home. The singer also acknowledges the sacrifices that Sam made for his country and expresses gratitude for his service.
The song is filled with emotion and empathy for the unknown soldier. It reminds us that even though we may not know the names or faces of all the brave men and women who died for our freedom, we should always honor and remember their sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know you
I have no personal knowledge of who you are
I never met you
We never had the opportunity to cross paths
For laughs I'll call you Sam
I'll give you a name to feel closer to you
You were the son
You were someone's child
Of Mrs. Someone
The mother who raised you remains unidentified to me
I hope she understands
I hope the woman who loved you takes comfort in knowing her son was admired
Sam you were all that you had
You possessed no one else but yourself
Are you happy or sad
Did you enjoy your life or die unsatisfied?
I never knew you
We never had a chance to get acquainted
But I'm told you're the best we had
I hear that you were one of the finest human beings
Were you so tall
Did you tower over others?
Did you play Basketball
Did you participate in a popular American sport?
Was there a sweetheart at home
Did you leave someone you loved behind?
Did you write her letters
Did you keep in touch via written words?
Did it make you better face the great unknown
Did your relationship with your dear one give you strength to face death?
Sam did you feel alone
Did you feel lonely in a foreign place?
You were so far from home
You were separated from your birthland by a significant distance
But I know you're the best man I know
I consider you to be one of the most praiseworthy individuals I know of
Could you tell it was time
Were you aware that you were about to die?
See it coming in the back of your mind
Did you have premonitions that you were going to pass away?
When it was over, was it over
Did you realize when your life ended?
Sam I'm glad you're on my side
I'm pleased that you fought with me, even if it was vicariously
Can I call you Sam
May I address you with a name I purely fabricated?
Did you have a son
Did you have a male offspring?
A daughter with a little one
Did you have a daughter who gave birth?
I might go and thank Sam you're the best that we have
I should show my gratitude for your unequivocal contribution
You make me happy and sad
You instill a complex range of emotions within me
If you were here, I'd buy the beers
If you were alive today, I'd gladly buy you drinks
I'd shake your hand and say good man
I'd express my deep admiration and respect to you
And though the sun would shine about the same
Life would still carry on even if you were alive
It's a better world because you came
Your existence contributed to the betterment of the world
Sincerely yours, my kids will know your name
I'll make sure that your name is not forgotten and that your legacy carries on
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ONDRASIK, JOHN /
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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