Mike & The Mechanics debuted with their stellar eponymous album in 1985 which highlighted Rutherford's innovative guitar work and the vocal talents of the two Pauls, amongst other guest vocalists. Initially, the group's albums were released between Genesis albums, all three Genesis members having solo projects of their own, most notable in the huge chart success of singer/drummer Phil Collins. This ended with the disbanding of Genesis in 1998.
The classic song "The Living Years" from the album of the same name was to be the height of their critical success to date; the #1 single was written by and about the dissension between singer BA Robertson and his father, a situation that was never rectified prior to his father's death, sung with great passion by Carrack. The album also featured the song "Nobody's Perfect" which received considerable airtime as the music to a successful television advertising campaign for Tennants bitter. Their third album "Word of Mouth" followed in 1991 with less commercial and critical success although the lead single, with vocals by Paul Young, reached the Top 20. The fourth album "Beggar On a Beach of Gold" was a high watermark in the quality of their material, with both the album and first single "Over My Shoulder" charting well with many considering the album the band's best work.
After a hiatus following Young's death from a heart attack on July 17, 2000, the band reformed in 2004 as Mike & the Mechanics featuring Paul Carrack releasing the album "Rewired".
A new Mike & the Mechanics album (titled "The Road") was released in the spring of 2011, supported by a 22-date UK tour. Replacing Carrack and Young as vocalists for the group are Andrew Roachford and Canadian actor/singer Tim Hower.
Ordinary Girl
Mike & The Mechanics Lyrics
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Tries to turn her head around in a million ways
I realise that it's hard to resist his attention
But she just ignores the kinda things he says
She's an ordinary girl
She don't wanna change the world
She still loves me all she can
If I had the chance to start all over
I know she's the kind I'll still be looking for
Just an ordinary girl
She don't wanna change the world
And she's givin' all she can
To her ordinary man
I don't know why, why she should make me feel so fine
I couldn't give an explanation if I tried
She don't fool around, given temptation
Even though I know he'd like to steal her away
Every time he tries, to his frustration
She just turns her head and looks the other way
She's an ordinary girl
She don't wanna change the world
And she's givin' all she can
To her ordinary man
Just an ordinary girl
She don't wanna change my world
And I give her all I can
I'm her ordinary man
Ordinary girl
I don't wanna change her world
Cos she loves me all she can
Just an ordinary man
She's an ordinary girl
She don't wanna change the world
And she's doin' all she can
For her ordinary man
The song "Ordinary Girl" by Mike & The Mechanics talks about a man who is in love with a girl who is simple, ordinary, and does not want to change the world. The man acknowledges that his love for the ordinary girl is genuine and that he doesn't want her to change in any way. He sees that another man is trying to win her heart with material things like diamond rings and flowers but she ignores him and stays loyal to the man who loves her for who she is. The girl is not interested in changing herself or the world; she just wants to be an ordinary girl.
The song is a reflection of the idea that love doesn't have to be extravagant or complicated to be true. It celebrates the beauty of simplicity and appreciates an ordinary person for who they are. The singer acknowledges that he loves the girl for exactly who she is and doesn't want her to change for anyone or anything.
Overall, “Ordinary Girl” is a romantic confession by a man who values the simplicity of true love and appreciates the ordinary but beautiful qualities in his beloved.
Line by Line Meaning
So he buys her flowers and diamond rings
He tries to win her over with material possessions and grand gestures
Tries to turn her head around in a million ways
He attempts to get her attention and make her fall for him by using various methods
I realise that it's hard to resist his attention
He is charming and it's understandable that she might find it hard to resist his advances
But she just ignores the kinda things he says
She is not interested in him and does not pay attention to his words
She's an ordinary girl
She is a regular person with no extraordinary qualities
She don't wanna change the world
She is content with her life and is not looking to make a big impact
She still loves me all she can
She cares deeply for the singer and gives him all the love she can offer
I' m her ordinary man
The artist is just an average guy who is loved by the ordinary girl
If I had the chance to start all over
The artist imagines a scenario where he could redo his life
I know she's the kind I'll still be looking for
The artist is certain that he would still seek out someone like the ordinary girl if he could start over
She don't fool around, given temptation
She remains faithful even when tempted by other men
Even though I know he'd like to steal her away
The artist is aware that other men are interested in the ordinary girl and would like to have her for themselves
Every time he tries, to his frustration
The other man is repeatedly unsuccessful in his attempts to win her over
She just turns her head and looks the other way
She disregards the other man's advances and does not engage with him
And she's doin' all she can
She is doing her best to show her love and support for the ordinary man
For her ordinary man
She loves and supports the artist, who is just an ordinary guy
Contributed by Austin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.