The band consisted of members Samuel Preston (vocals, guitar), William J. Brown (guitar), James Gregory (bass), and Simon Goldring (drums), who replaced Charles “Chuck” Stanley in 2005.
Despite their limited success on the UK charts, their popularity grew, particularly due to media coverage that the lead singer, Samuel Preston, received when participating in Celebrity Big Brother UK in January 2006. Following that appearance, sales of the band's albums increased and the "Boys Will Be Boys" single moved from #33 to #3 in four weeks. Fans of the band were nicknamed "The Ordinary Army".
Notable songs include "Maybe Someday", "Talk Talk Talk", and "Seaside" from their debut album; "Boys Will Be Boys" from their second album; and "Over the Counter Culture", which was featured in the soundtrack for Burnout 3: Takedown. Their single "Lonely at the Top" marked a change of sound, with more of a pop feel to it; featuring synthesisers and samples.
Yahoo! UK revealed that The Ordinary Boys was the fourth most searched for keyword of 2006 in their annual top ten search results.
The song "Boys Will Be Boys" featured in the fifth Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The band was also referenced in episode five ("Smoke and Mirrors") of series two of The IT Crowd.
In early 2008, lead singer Preston confirmed the band's split through the official Ordinary Boys website, and announced he was writing new material for a solo album. Though it was apparently completed in 2009, the album was never released.
The Ordinary Boys will be reuniting in December 2011 for a UK tour. There is no involvement from William Brown or James Gregory and the band have recruited a new guitarist, bassist and keyboard player, along with original member Sam Preston and drummer at the time of split, Simon Goldring. They have also made a new song called "Run This Town."
They reformed in 2014 going on a mini tour around the UK.
Maybe Someday
The Ordinary Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why should, you leave your home,
Oh, when the TV's on,
Oh, when I was half joking,
But I know that you'll be fine,
Who needs love when you got two eyes and you got the time?
Cursing, your computer,
Because it will not do,
A single thing that you're sure it ought to,
With your so called friends you love,
As an a.k.a of a pseudonym that you wish you were.
Waiting for some inspiration, but lack the human interaction,
Oh, waiting for some inspiration, but lack the human interaction.
Oh, waiting for some inspiration, but lack the human interaction,
Oh, waiting for some inspiration, but lack the human interaction
The Ordinary Boys' song "Maybe Someday" speaks to the modern world's increasing reliance on technology and the isolation it can bring. The song's opening lines question why someone would leave their home when they can simply turn on the TV, suggesting that people are becoming more content with virtual realities versus the real world. The singer realizes this lack of human connection, as evidenced in the lines "Waiting for some inspiration, but lack the human interaction." The song portrays the way that technology can foster a sense of frustration and lack of purpose when it fails to fulfill its promises.
The second verse explicitly highlights the disconnect between real life and online life: "Cursing, your computer / Because it will not do / A single thing that you're sure it ought to." The reference to "so-called friends" is also telling, suggesting that online friendships and interactions are often artificial and lacking in substance. The chorus - "Waiting for some inspiration, but lack the human interaction" - is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the stark contrast between our reliance on technology and our need for authentic connection.
Overall, "Maybe Someday" is a cautionary tale about the danger of losing touch with real-world experiences and relationships in favor of technology-driven substitutes. It speaks to a larger societal problem and poses the question of whether we can truly be fulfilled without authentic human connections.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three, four!
Counting off before the start of the song.
Why should, you leave your home,
Questioning the need to go outside and explore.
Oh, when the TV's on,
Suggesting that watching TV can be a form of entertainment and escapism.
Oh, when I was half joking,
Acknowledging that there was some truth in a previous statement made.
But I know that you'll be fine,
Assuring that everything will work out in the end.
Who needs love when you got two eyes and you got the time?
Questioning the importance of love when there are other things to occupy one's time and attention.
Waiting for some inspiration, but lack the human interaction.
Feeling uninspired due to a lack of social interaction and stimulation.
Cursing, your computer,
Expressing frustration with technology and its limitations.
Because it will not do,
Highlighting the inability of technology to fulfill all needs and desires.
A single thing that you're sure it ought to,
Expressing disappointment with technology's inability to meet expectations.
With your so called friends you love,
Calling into question the authenticity of virtual friendships and relationships.
As an a.k.a of a pseudonym that you wish you were.
Feeling disconnected and unfulfilled by the persona created online.
Oh, waiting for some inspiration, but lack the human interaction.
Continuing to feel uninspired and unstimulated by a lack of social interaction.
Oh, waiting for some inspiration, but lack the human interaction.
Reiterating the theme of feeling uninspired, lonely, and disconnected from others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK STROBEL, STEVE BULL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rodrigo Antunes de Lima
It's such a shame that this great band is so underrated!
Hannah Walsh
I saw these guys in early 05 in Limerick, it was really great, got to hear Little Bubble live... listening to this album makes me slightly depressed now though...
José Pablo Queteimporta
They remember me to The Who and The Ramones.... I like your style guys... 5*
sjFALCONPUNCH01
so sad to say that after this album they were shit... :( this album was fucking amzing
jamie byrne
When they were good
Peach Beach
Ahhh yes, this video shows them in their early years. Ha, they HAVE changed!
mrcraggle
I believe this was their first single
fly2close2thesun
Preston is a professional celebrity lol. Morrissey is a legend. Twenty years time, Preston who?
Grandwicky
Yes, this was the first single ;) It was released in January 2004 and would have been in the mid twenties but it got disqualified because you got a 'free gift' with the single which was only a sticker really so I quite annoyed at the time..
Potato
like a Strong punch!!! cool song(3u0)