Over The Counterculture
The Ordinary Boys Lyrics

Over the counter culture,
Referring to the trend of following alternative, non-mainstream lifestyle which involves using certain products, trends and habits not commonly used by the public

Well that's right where you belong,
Expressing that adhering to the alternative culture is where the person is comfortable and feels they fit in

You try to sever your ties with the London skies,
Attempting to distance oneself from traditional culture and the mainstream way of life

But you've got the whole thing wrong
Disagreeing with the idea that alternative lifestyles and activities are the only way to find individuality

You try to be so different,
Trying too hard to be unique or separate oneself from others

As does everybody else,
Pointing out that many people actually try to be different in the same way

Create your own distinctions,
Encouraging the audience to act upon their individualism and make their own unique paths

And flaunt them for yourself
Suggesting that it is more meaningful to express and follow one's own interests and values for oneself, rather than for others

With your cards and catalogs,
Referring to the commercialism that is common in alternative lifestyles and counterculture by promoting and advertising different products and trends

The mainstream wipes the river bed clean,
Describing the mainstream as being simplified and homogenous compared to the river bed, which represents a range of diversity and complexity

You're just wrong,
Disagreeing with the idea that alternative lifestyles are the only way to find individuality, meaning and happiness

You think you followed your heart again,
Expressing that people are deceived by themselves that they are following their genuine interests, while in reality they might be influenced by trends or peers

Now it's in to be out,
Pointing out the irony in trying to oppose mainstream culture, yet replicating some of its attitudes and behaviours

Destroy the plans and just start again,
Encouraging the audience to abandon past behaviours or habits they might have adopted and create new ones that reflect their own values and principles

Don't pretend to not pretend at all
Suggesting that it is better to be honest and true to oneself, rather than pretending to be someone that they are not, or pretending not to be something they are

Well you live your life in waves,
Comparing life with waves to express the cyclical nature of different trends and fads

Last years dream was a terrible scheme,
Recognizing that past trends and fads were not the perfect way of living, they have many drawbacks

And this new fad will fade
Emphasizing that new trends and fads do not provide an everlasting solution for happiness or individuality as they too will fade and lose relevance

Let's see, what can we be now?
Encouraging the audience to find new interests, values and behaviours that reflect their genuine selves

That hasn't been done before?
Asking the audience to be truly unique and not replicate the behaviour of others or past fads

Shut your eyes,
Encouraging the audience to look inwards and introspect on their own genuine interests and values

Look inside.
Emphasizing the importance of internal reflection and expression of individuality over replicating external trends or fads.