They have 2 … Read Full Bio ↴Normal Like You are a band from Livermore, California.
They have 2 albums and an EP, all self-released. Despite several member changes, 3 of the original 4 members now remain, after John Burrescia and Brandon Olivo re-joining in 2006. They began as a pop-punk band with a slight technical edge; something which became a more integral part on their second release, 'The Worst of Many Flaws'. Their sound has now matured and they have combined many more elements into their sound, such as emo, hip-hop, metal and pop.
Current Members:
Jon Williams - Vocals (originally also played bass) *
Brandon Olivo - Guitar/Vocals (Re-Joined in 2006) *
John Burrescia - Guitar/Vocals (Re-Joined in 2006) *
Mark Schellenbach - Drums
Tyler Jensen - Bass
Former Members:
Chad Welchoff *
Chris Brock (Now with Apiary)
Douglas Allen (Now With Nural)
John Anderson (Now With Porcelain And The Tramps)
Adam Elliot (Left for Apiary, now an ex-member)
Jon Frost (Now With Light This City)
* indicates original member
Patience is a Virtue
Normal Like You Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're starving ourselves with anxiety
Constantly, we're trying to run
Let's slow down and try walking sometime
Looking back at my change of direction
I now can say that I have learned that she's not important
and I was foolish to care so much
These days it's hard enough to please myself
You'll just have to wait in line
Sit down and take a number, we're all looking for our answers
and I'm still learning how to breathe again
Turn around, take two steps back
There must be bigger worries
life is full of questions
We can answer them if we take the time
Sometimes things don't work out
Sit back and try to believe
Focus, don't procrastinate... don't sidetrack yourself like I did
So let me be your reminder
Let me make the mistake for you
Cause I've learned she wasn't worth it
and I've learned that patience is a virtue
The lyrics of Normal Like You's song "Patience is a Virtue" are a relatable account of the anxiety-inducing nature of modern life. The opening lines "Hold tight, breathe easy, we're starving ourselves with anxiety" encapsulate this sentiment perfectly. The idea that our fear of missing out, or not achieving our goals, is causing us to deprive ourselves of peace and calm is a powerful one.
The song then turns to the idea of slowing down, of not constantly trying to run. The repetition of the phrase "why do we try so hard when satisfaction is so close" is a call to reassess our priorities and understand that sometimes taking a step back and taking a breath can be just as effective as pushing forward at all costs. The line "focus, don't procrastinate...don't sidetrack yourself like I did" suggests that the singer has made mistakes in the past, but has learned from them and is now sharing that wisdom with the listener.
The chorus "Sometimes things don't work out, sit back and try to believe" is a reminder to not let setbacks and failures get us down. The singer is urging us to have faith in ourselves, take our time, and not rush into things. The final lines "Let me be your reminder, let me make the mistake for you, cause I've learned she wasn't worth it, and I've learned that patience is a virtue" suggest that the singer has overcome a difficult experience and is now sharing that wisdom to help others.
Overall, Normal Like You's "Patience is a Virtue" is a gentle and wise reminder to take a step back, slow down, and have faith in ourselves. In our fast-paced and constantly connected world, it's important to remember that sometimes the best thing we can do is breathe and trust the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold tight, breathe easy
We need to take a moment to relax and stop overwhelming ourselves.
We're starving ourselves with anxiety
We're causing harm to ourselves by constantly being anxious.
Constantly, we're trying to run
We're always trying to rush through life.
Let's slow down and try walking sometime
We should take things slower and learn to appreciate the journey.
Looking back at my change of direction
Reflecting on the mistakes we've made in the past
I now can say that I have learned that she's not important
Realizing that something/someone we thought was important wasn't worth our time.
and I was foolish to care so much
Admitting that we invested too much energy into a certain thing/person.
Why do we try so hard when satisfaction is so close
Asking ourselves why we push too hard and overlook possible fulfillment.
These days it's hard enough to please myself
Right now, I'm trying to focus on my own happiness.
You'll just have to wait in line
Others have to be patient and wait their turn for attention.
Sit down and take a number, we're all looking for our answers
We all have our own things to worry about and all need time to find our own solutions.
and I'm still learning how to breathe again
I'm still trying to recover and get back to a place of peace.
Turn around, take two steps back
Sometimes we need to retreat and reassess the situation.
There must be bigger worries
We have to realize that there are bigger problems in the world to focus on.
life is full of questions
Life is complex and brings forth many questions we have to answer.
We can answer them if we take the time
If we take it easy, we'll find our own answers eventually.
Sometimes things don't work out
It's expected that certain things in life will fail.
Sit back and try to believe
We have to learn to have faith and believe in a positive outcome.
Focus, don't procrastinate... don't sidetrack yourself like I did
Avoid wasting time and prioritizing the wrong things.
So let me be your reminder
I'm offering my own past experiences as a caution.
Let me make the mistake for you
Let me be the person to learn from the errors for both of us.
Cause I've learned she wasn't worth it
Acknowledging that a person we devoted too much time to wasn't worth it in the end.
and I've learned that patience is a virtue
Realizing that patience is crucial to success and happiness.
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.