Ordinary Men Make Ordinary Music
Lodger Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

People are no good
Or not in the mood
People are
Never understood
People wait
People hesitate
People are the meat
On your plate

So ordinary men
Make ordinary music

People are so sweet
People cannot keep
Their mouths shut
When they eat
People lie
People talk




To get out of
The little walk

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lodger's song Ordinary Men Make Ordinary Music are a scathing commentary on the human condition. Throughout the song, Lodger is highlighting the seemingly negative aspects of people, stating that they are often not in the mood, not understood, and hesitant. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "ordinary men make ordinary music," is a statement on how the mundane and repetitive nature of human behavior often leads to unoriginal and uninspired art. Later on in the song, Lodger delves into the idea that people are often disingenuous, lying to get out of situations or to save face.


However, there is perhaps an underlying sense of empathy in the lyrics as well. Although Lodger is pointing out the flaws in human behavior, he acknowledges that people are sweet and want to be understood. The metaphor of people being the meat on your plate could be interpreted as a sign of the artist's frustration with the way people are treated in society. Overall, the song presents a harsh but ultimately thought-provoking reflection on the state of humanity.


Line by Line Meaning

People are no good
Individuals tend to behave in negative ways


Or not in the mood
Or they may not feel like acting in a positive manner


People are
People exist and they have certain qualities


Never understood
These qualities are often not comprehended or appreciated by others


People wait
People tend to postpone taking action


People hesitate
Or they may feel uncertain or doubtful before making a decision


People are the meat
People are seen as a source of sustenance or benefit


On your plate
Their existence is often taken for granted and they may be used or consumed without regard for their well-being


So ordinary men
Thus, individuals without exceptional qualities or abilities


Make ordinary music
Are likely to create unremarkable, unexceptional art


People are so sweet
On the other hand, individuals can also exhibit pleasant qualities


People cannot keep
However, they may struggle to restrain certain behaviors or speech


Their mouths shut
Thus, revealing information or expressing themselves without caution


When they eat
Even when performing basic, necessary actions


People lie
Individuals may not be truthful in their words or actions


People talk
Or they may be prone to excessive or meaningless conversation


To get out of
In order to avoid or escape from


The little walk
A minor or mundane task or obligation




Contributed by Nathaniel R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

facepalm486

I'm of the opinion Lodger summoned Ed Sheeran into existence with this.

TehMightySiika

People are no good
Or not in the mood
People are
Never understood
People wait
People hesitate
People are the meat
On your plate
So ordinary men
Make ordinary music
Ordinary men
Make ordinary, ordinary music
People are so sweet
People cannot keep
Their mouths shut
When they eat
People lie
People talk
To get out of
The little walk
So ordinary men
Make ordinary music
Ordinary men
Make ordinary music
So ordinary men
Make ordinary music
Ordinary men
Make ordinary, ordinary music

More Versions