Most recently, Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for critically acclaimed Atlantic/Roadrunner Records U.K.-based recording act Porcupine Tree, during the In Absentia, Deadwing, Fear of a Blank Planet, and The Incident world tours. Wesley's versatility shows from his diverse touring background. In recent years he has performed lead guitars and background vocals for White Lion front man Mike Tramp, subbed on lead guitar and bass for Gainsville's Sister Hazel, and as lead guitarist for Scottish neo-prog band Fish on many lengthy European, American and South American Tours and on several U.S. and European Solo dates.
In 2005, Wesley produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver, co-produced by Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree.
He has an official fan website at http://www.john-wesley.com where fans can read lyrics, view photos and preview album clips.
On the 24th August 2007, John Wesley announced that he was making the majority of his solo material available for free download on his website http://www.john-wesley.com, in what he called his "Share the Wes" policy. He will still be offering certain CDs and new releases for purchase at gigs and online.
2. John Wesley was an American soul singer of the 1960s, who released most of his music on the Melic record label. Most of his recordings were credited to John Wesley & The Four Tees, except for a 1966 single called 'Love Is Such a Funny Thing', which was recorded with The Four Tees but credited to Wesley alone.
An Ordinary Man
John Wesley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
how easily replaced
your loved ones become...
We are the wreckage strewn behind you
love's own casualties
from the battle that you won
You could not wait
you could not wait
to raise you man in victory
I know you hate
to be mistaken
for the woman
of just an ordinary man...
To be the lover
of an ordinary man
I'm down on my knees
I'm crawling across the floor to you
I'm holding out my hand
God I do not understand
why I'm down on my knees
Now I'm troubled by your silence
I'm troubled that you no longer dare
to lay with me under the night stars
or walk unhindered on your own two legs
you could not wait
to lose your new freedom
you could not wait
to carry your new chains
I know you hate
to keep him waiting
so you'd better
drag yourself back to him again
I wanna feel alive
I wanna feel awake
to make these night stars go away
I wanna feel alive
I wanna feel awake
I wanna feel anything and
everything
this world will let me taste
I wanna see you cry
I wanna see you break
I wanna see you crash into the walls
of your own infamy
The song "An Ordinary Man" by John Wesley talks about the pain of being replaced and forgotten in a relationship. The lyrics are deep and poignant, and they express the helplessness of being left behind by someone you love dearly. The opening lines talk about how easily we forget and replace loved ones, and how we become casualties of love, left behind by those who win the battle of love. The singer then bares his soul about the pain of being an ordinary man, who can't measure up to the expectations of his partner.
The chorus talks about the singer being down on his knees, crawling across the floor, and holding out his hand, but not understanding why he is being humiliated in this manner. The singer is troubled by the silence of his partner, and how she no longer wants to be with him or share moments with him. She could not wait to lose her freedom and carry the chains of her new relationship. The singer wants to feel alive, but he has been left heartbroken and shattered. He wants to see his partner cry, break, and crash into the walls of her infamy, to show her that he too has suffered the pain of rejection and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
How easily forgotten
It is easy to forget the ones you once loved
how easily replaced
It is easy to replace those you once loved
your loved ones become...
The people you once loved to become forgotten and replaced
We are the wreckage strewn behind you
We are the aftermath of your love, destroyed and scattered
love's own casualties
We are the victims of the love that caused this destruction
from the battle that you won
This destruction is the result of a love battle that you emerged victorious from
You could not wait
to fly your flag
You were eager to show off your victory
you could not wait
to raise your man in victory
You were eager to show off your man as the prize in your love battle victory
I know you hate
to be mistaken
for the woman
of just an ordinary man...
You hate to be seen as just another woman with an ordinary man
To be the lover
of an ordinary man
You do not want to be perceived as merely the lover of a common man
I'm down on my knees
I'm crawling across the floor to you
I'm holding out my hand
God I do not understand
why I'm down on my knees
I am begging for forgiveness from you, although I do not fully comprehend why I am doing this
Now I'm troubled by your silence
Your lack of communication is causing me distress
I'm troubled that you no longer dare
to lay with me under the night stars
or walk unhindered on your own two legs
I miss the intimate moments we used to share under the night sky and the casual walks we used to take
you could not wait
to lose your new freedom
You were eager to give up your newfound freedom
you could not wait
to carry your new chains
You were eager to take on new responsibilities and commitments
I know you hate
to keep him waiting
You do not want to keep your man waiting
so you'd better
drag yourself back to him again
You should go back to your man and do what is expected of you
I wanna feel alive
I wanna feel awake
to make these night stars go away
I wanna feel alive
I wanna feel awake
I wanna feel anything and
everything
this world will let me taste
I am yearning for a sense of vitality and awareness, to experience all the world has to offer
I wanna see you cry
I wanna see you break
I wanna see you crash into the walls
of your own infamy
I am filled with resentment and desire to witness your downfall
Contributed by Connor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Myriam Melly
It's very Beautiful !!! The voice and the lyrics... and the music too !!!
I love this voice... even if Steve Hogarth will remain the one I'll prefer EVER... even on back voice
Myriam Melly
It is very beautiful !!! The voice and the lyrics ... and the music too !!!
I love that voice ... although Steve Hogarth will always be my favorite...FOREVER ... even when he lends his voice to the back