What started as two guys with strong voices and one guitar became San Francisco's Train by 1994. It was in late 1993 that Patrick Monahan left Erie, PA, and met up with the Los Angeles band, The Apostles. Lead singer/guitarist Rob Hotchkiss and fellow guitarist Jim Stafford had basically disbanded by this time, but the chance meeting with Patrick Monahan proved fortuitous, as Hotchkiss extended an invitation to the crooning Monahan to become a two-man band. After making exhaustive appearances in low-key coffeehouses, they decided to form a full band and enlisted former Apostles members Stafford and bassist Charlie Colin. Colin brought along his good friend, drummer Scott Underwood, and Train were on their way.
Train settled in San Francisco to develop their sound in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. In an unlikely scenario, executives from Columbia Records expressed an interest and, in a somewhat cooperative strategy, farmed the fledgling band out to the minors -- in this instance, Aware Records -- where they could grow naturally and unhurriedly. In 1997, they went on tour, opening for the likes of Blues Traveler, Barenaked Ladies, and Counting Crows. Train knew they had arrived when they sold out a performance at San Francisco's prestigious Fillmore venue. Their completed debut album was released the following year. Drops of Jupiter followed three years later, becoming a 2x Platinum hit on the back of its single of the same name. My Private Nation followed in 2003. Though the response was initially weak, the single "Get to Me" eventually caught fire, and Train had their latest Billboard chart hit. A holdover live album appeared in 2004 while the band returned to the studio to record My Private Nation's follow-up. The single "Cab" announced the band's return in late 2005, with the full-length For Me It's You following early the next year.
From November 2006, the band took a break from recording and touring to be with friends and family. Lead singer Pat Monahan released a solo album, Last of Seven, on September 18, 2007. The first single, "Her Eyes," was released in July.
On October 27, 2009, Train not only released proof that they were once again a band but also put their fifth studio album on the market, Save Me San Francisco. Dedicated to getting back to where they came from, the album revisited the roots rock sound that has made the band such a tour de force. The album is a tribute to the city that made them who they are today and pays homage to the city by the bay whom they owe so much.
The first single from Train's sixth studio album, "Drive By," was made available on iTunes on January 10, 2012, a week after Train played the halftime show at the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl in Miami. This upbeat pop/rock tune was the first song to be released from Train's sixth studio album. It was already familiar to some of their fans as the band had been performing the tune during their 2011 Summer Tour. Train's singles tend to gradually build momentum, but this song debuted at #60 on the Hot 100 in its first week as Triple A, hot AC, and pop radio all embraced the song with enthusiasm.
This album was followed by Bulletproof Picasso, Christmas in Tahoe, Train Does Led Zeppelin II, and A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat. Their album AM Gold was released on May 20, 2022.
http://savemesanfrancisco.com/
Ordinary
Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't recognize anything that I see
Whose skin is this design
I don't want this to be the way that you see me
I don't understand anything anymore
And this web that I'm tied up
Is taking me right up these walls
It's anything but ordinary
And when the world is on its knees
With me, its fine
And when I come to the rescue,
I get nothing but left behind
Everybody seems to be getting what they need
Where's mine?
'Cause you're what I need
So very but I'm anything but ordinary
Can you save me from this world of mine
Before I get myself arrested with these expectations
You are the one, look what you've done
What have you done
This is not some kind of joke
You're just a kid
You weren't ready for what you did, no
And when the world is on its knees
With me, its fine
And when I come to the rescue,
I do it for you time after time
Everybody seems to be getting what they need
Where's mine?
'Cause you're what I need
So very but I'm anything but ordinary
I think I'm trying to save the world for you
You've been saving me too
We could just stay and save each other
I'm anything but ordinary
I'm anything but ordinary
In Train's song "Ordinary," the lyrics are imbued with a feeling of confusion and disorientation. The singer speaks of not recognizing themselves or anything they see, as they feel trapped in a web that is taking them up these walls they climb to get to someone else's story. They feel their life is anything but ordinary and that they are anything but ordinary. The song is ultimately about feeling lost and seeking comfort in someone else.
The sense of feeling lost is echoed throughout the song through the repetition of the line, "I don't understand anything anymore." The singer also speaks of wanting to be seen differently and not wanting to be judged by their appearance, "Whose skin is this design I don't want this to be the way that you see me." The lyrics are filled with questions and uncertainty, as if the singer is trying to find their place in a world that makes them feel out of sorts.
At its core, "Ordinary" is a song about the search for love and acceptance. The singer is seeking someone who can save them from their confusing world, someone who can be their anchor. The song is not just about finding love, but also about accepting ourselves and embracing our own uniqueness.
Line by Line Meaning
Whose eyes in my behind
I don't know who's watching me or who's judging me from behind
I don't recognize anything that I see
I don't understand what's happening around me or what I'm experiencing
Whose skin is this design
I'm not happy with the way I look or how others perceive me
I don't want this to be the way that you see me
I don't want to be defined by my appearance or my flaws
I don't understand anything anymore
I'm confused about what's happening in my life and the world around me
And this web that I'm tied up
I feel trapped and unable to escape my problems
Is taking me right up these walls
My problems are causing me to feel overwhelmed and stressed
That I climb up to get to your story
I'm trying to understand your perspective and your struggles
It's anything but ordinary
Our relationship is unique and special, despite our struggles
And when the world is on its knees
When everything seems to be falling apart or going wrong
With me, it's fine
But as long as I have you by my side, everything is okay
And when I come to the rescue
When I try to help or protect you
I get nothing but left behind
I feel neglected or unappreciated after trying to help you
Everybody seems to be getting what they need
It seems like everyone else is happy and satisfied, except for me
Where's mine?
I feel neglected and like I'm not getting what I need
'Cause you're what I need
Despite my struggles and problems, I know that I need you in my life
So very but I'm anything but ordinary
Despite our problems, our relationship is unique and special
Can you save me from this world of mine
I'm hoping that you can help me escape my problems and struggles
Before I get myself arrested with these expectations
I'm worried that my expectations and desires will get me into trouble or cause me harm
You are the one, look what you've done
You've had a big impact on my life and my happiness
What have you done
I'm questioning the changes that you've brought into my life
This is not some kind of joke
I'm serious about my feelings and our relationship
You're just a kid
I'm acknowledging that you're younger and less experienced than me
You weren't ready for what you did, no
I think you weren't prepared for the impact you've had on my life
I think I'm trying to save the world for you
I want to make the world a better place for you and for us
You've been saving me too
You've had a positive impact on my life and helped me through my struggles
We could just stay and save each other
We can support each other and find strength in our relationship
I'm anything but ordinary
Despite my problems and struggles, I'm unique and special
I'm anything but ordinary
Despite my problems and struggles, I'm unique and special
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BART HENDRICKSON, PAT MONAHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind