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.
The List Goes On
The Ordinary Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why is it so throw away
The lists that you write
Just to classify this tripe
When clearly it all sounds the same
Oh oh oh
Well I've heard it all done before
A hundred years ago or more
Just the same old politics
Through pretentious effects units
By self-obsessive slobs
The list goes on
Media press has become an utter mess
The opinions of failed pop stars
They constantly try to divert the public eye
Led by large cash deposits and such
Well I've heard it all done before
A hundred years ago or more
Originality is so passe
Forgotten genres get rehatched
Create the craze, create the cash
Would you buy anything?
The list goes on
And I will try
Not to let this get to me
But it goes on
It goes on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on...
Oh I've heard it all done before
A hundred years ago or more
Originality is so passe
I'll never lose my faith in you
When nothing's good what can you do?
Just don't buy anything
The list goes on
In The Ordinary Boys’ song, “The List Goes On,” the lead singer laments over the state of the music industry and the lack of originality that he observes. He is fed up with the constant repetition of the same sounds and styles on the radio, feeling that everything is classifiable as the same “tripe” that has been done before. He bemoans the fact that even attempts at originality are undermined by the use of pretentious and disingenuous effects units, as well as the self-obsessions of artists who are blinded by their own egos. Meanwhile, popular media is criticized for manipulating public opinion by diverting the audience’s attention with large sums of cash and promoting forgotten genres that have been rehashed. Despite the negativity, the singer ultimately encourages listeners not to lose faith and “just don’t buy anything” from the list of uninspiring options.
The lyrics can be viewed as a commentary on the commercialization of music and how it has become stagnant instead of innovative. The idea of creating a list infers that entertainment is just a consumerist item that can be purchased without any thought or creativity. The singer is frustrated that the industry is more focused on the promotion of a style over the quality of the music, and in their obsession with controlling the public opinion they have lost sight of what music should be about. The message in “The List Goes On” is that artists and the industry must embrace creativity over conformity and not be driven by meaningless popularity.
Line by Line Meaning
Radio play just depresses me today
Hearing the same bland, uninspired music on radio today only leaves a disheartening feeling.
Why is it so throw away
Questioning the lack of substance in modern music that is meant to be disposable and convenient.
The lists that you write
Referring to the categorization of formulaic music based on arbitrary criteria.
Just to classify this tripe
Indicating that the music being produced is of a low quality, uninspired and not worthy of being labeled as anything more than rubbish.
When clearly it all sounds the same
Expressing frustration at the lack of originality or variation in the current music scene.
Well I've heard it all done before
Asserting that the patterns and conventions of modern music have been recycled throughout the past generations and are lacking in creativity.
A hundred years ago or more
Highlighting the fact that even music from a bygone era is more innovative than the mainstream tunes in today's society.
Originality is so passe
Conveying the notion that today's music industry values following the latest trend and not taking risks, rather than fostering innovation and originality.
Just the same old politics
Pointing out the corrupt and self-serving nature of calculated mainstream music industry practices which foster profit over artistry.
Through pretentious effects units
Mocking the use of exaggerated instrumental techniques or electronic modifications to mask the lack of substance in generic songs.
By self-obsessive slobs
Cynically referring to the arrogant and narcissistic habits of commercial artists focussed on maintaining their public image over their musical ability.
Media press has become an utter mess
Lamenting the reduction of reliable news sources and music critiques replaced by biased or self-promoting spokespeople.
The opinions of failed pop stars
Denouncing the perspectives of failed artists who resort to sensationalism or scandal to generate interest rather than true talent.
They constantly try to divert the public eye
Raising concerns about the media's attempts to distract audiences from real issues or talented musicians to promote commercial interests.
Led by large cash deposits and such
Suggesting that commercial money controls the music industry and media, not musical ability or public interest.
Forgotten genres get rehatched
Remarking that outdated musical styles receive a revitalizing facelift to appeal to young audiences' new tastes.
Create the craze, create the cash
Summing up the sinister motivations of music industry executives who prioritize profit over artistic expression or cultural impact.
Would you buy anything?
Questioning listeners about their willingness to consume music at any cost, accepting commercialized music devoid of quality and creativity.
And I will try not to let this get to me
Deciding to maintain a positive outlook and not let the dismal state of the music industry impact one's artistic expression or falter in one's beliefs.
But it goes on
Acknowledging that the root of the music industry's problems go much deeper than can be changed easily and will still continue.
It goes on and on and on and on
Emphasizing the repetitious cycle of unoriginality, commercialism and lack of creativity that dominates today's music scene.
Oh I've heard it all done before
Reiterating the lack of innovation and creativity present in the current state of popular music.
I'll never lose my faith in you
Ensuring the audience that the struggle for musical authenticity and innovation is not futile, but rather depends on the perseverance of artistic integrity.
When nothing's good what can you do?
Reflecting the lack of positive change in the music industry despite efforts to bring about a revolution towards true creativity and artistic freedom.
Just don't buy anything
Encouraging fans to reject commercialized music and support true talent even if it is not presented with the same glamour and hype.
The list goes on
Summarizing the almost endless nature of the issues faced by the music industry, commercialism and generic music, reaching much further beyond just the lyrics of this song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL DYLAN MURPHY PRESTON, WILLIAM JONATHAN BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind