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/
Slice
Five for Fighting Lyrics
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Chevy's and Levi's played on the radio
No cell phones just twenty thousand lights
Swayin' on a Saturday night alright
Can you imagine that slice of time
Rock 'n roll was young, people stood in line
To hear music that played into their lives
Hey man sing me a song
When we were everyone
We were more than just a slice
Of American Pie
Have you read my blog today
Three hundred million little USA's
Your doorstep is just a click away
We'll get together one of these days
How can you be as nice as me
You're not from the same slice as me
Where do we go from here my friend
Is this the way our story ends
Hey man sing me a song
When we were everyone
We were more than just a slice
Of American Pie
Can't stop singin' along
Can you join in, come on
Are we more than just a slice
Of American pie
We're top down lovers, it's Saturday night
The band's roarin' and it feels so right
The moon's dancin' and the stars are free
I caught your heart on a summer's breeze
Whatever was or what's meant to be
Our melodies are memories
There was a time a long long time ago
Chevy's and Levi's played on the radio
No cell phones just twenty thousand lights
Swayin' on a Saturday night alright
Hey man sing me a song
When we were everyone
We were more than just a slice
Of American Pie
I can't stop singin' along
Can you join in, come on
Are we more than just a slice
Of American pie
(American pie)
We're more than a slice
We're more than a slice
We're more than just a slice
Of American pie
The song "Slice" by Five for Fighting reflects on the nostalgia of an earlier era, which the singer longs for. The opening lyrics paint the picture of a time long ago where life was simpler, and people would enjoy rock and roll music on a Saturday night. The lyric "no cell phones, just twenty thousand lights" highlights how life was less complicated, and people used to connect in person and enjoy the music they heard. The singer reminisces about a time when rock music played a part in people's lives, and the music they listened to was carried with them until the day they died.
In the second verse, the lyric "Three hundred million little USA's, your doorstep is just a click away" highlights the current era of social media, where people can connect and be reached easily. However, the singer questions whether people of various backgrounds can be as nice as him, indicating the polarization of society due to various factors. He wonders where we will go from where we currently are as a society and whether this is the end of our story.
The chorus lyrics of the song "Hey man sing me a song, when we were everyone. We were more than just a slice of American Pie" indicates a cry out for the simple pleasure of enjoying music with others. The song suggests that everyone has a significant part to play in the larger story of America as it continues to evolve.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a time a long long time ago
A nostalgic reflection on past times when rock 'n roll music was young and vibrant.
Chevy's and Levi's played on the radio
A reference to the popular culture of the time and the way it shaped people's experiences of music.
No cell phones just twenty thousand lights
People used to gather in large crowds to experience live music, without the distractions of modern technology.
Swayin' on a Saturday night alright
A joyful memory of the way music brought people together and lifted their spirits on a Saturday night.
Can you imagine that slice of time
An invitation to imagine and connect with a past era of popular music and culture.
Rock 'n roll was young, people stood in line
A description of the popularity and cultural significance of rock music during a particular period of time.
To hear music that played into their lives
People felt a sense of connection and identification with the music that was popular in their time.
That you could carry 'til the day you died
The music of that time had a lasting impact on people's lives and memories.
Hey man sing me a song
A request for someone to create a sense of connection and shared experience through music.
When we were everyone
Music has the power to bring together people from all walks of life and create a sense of shared community.
We were more than just a slice
Music was an integral part of the cultural experience and identity of the people of that time.
Of American Pie
A reference to the cultural touchstone of the famous song 'American Pie', which celebrated the importance of music to American culture.
Have you read my blog today
A reference to the way technology and the internet have changed the way people connect and experience culture.
Three hundred million little USA's
A description of the diversity of experiences and perspectives of people in the United States.
Your doorstep is just a click away
The power of technology allows people to connect with others and share experiences in new and different ways.
We'll get together one of these days
An acknowledgment of the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of shared community, even in the face of challenges and obstacles.
How can you be as nice as me
A reflection on the ways in which differences between people can create division and discord.
You're not from the same slice as me
A recognition that differences between people can make it difficult to find common ground and create shared experiences.
Where do we go from here my friend
A question about the future and the possibilities for connection and shared experience in a changing world.
Is this the way our story ends
An acknowledgment of the way that people's differences can sometimes create conflict and division that can be difficult to overcome.
We're top down lovers, it's Saturday night
A vivid description of the excitement and joy of experiencing live music on a warm summer night.
The band's roarin' and it feels so right
A description of the visceral and emotional impact of live music on the body and mind.
The moon's dancin' and the stars are free
A poetic reflection on the beauty and wonder of the natural world, which is often evoked by music.
I caught your heart on a summer's breeze
A romantic and poetic expression of the power of music to create deep emotional connections between people.
Whatever was or what's meant to be
An acknowledgment of the mystery and uncertainty of the future, and the way that music can help people find meaning and connection in the face of that uncertainty.
Our melodies are memories
A final reflection on the enduring impact of music on people's lives and memories.
We're more than a slice
A final affirmation that music is an integral and powerful part of the cultural identity and experience of people from all walks of life.
Of American pie
A reference to the continuing cultural significance of music to the American experience.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GREGG WATTENBERG, JOHN ONDRASIK, STEPHAN SCHWARTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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