"Ordinary Day" is a song written and performed by Vanessa Carlton from her album Be Not Nobody. The single peaked at number thirty on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Carlton wrote the song when she was 17. It is the first song that Vanessa has ever written in only one sitting.
When Carlton performs the song live, she uses some of the original lyrics that she wrote for the song rather than the ones recorded for the album version. On the album, the lyrics at the end of the chorus are "Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand?" and in the live version Vanessa sings "If we walk now, we will divide and conquer this land".
Vanessa has stated that she had to change the lyrics for the album version due to the label's disapproval because of the events of September 11th, 2001.
The trademark piano riff from the song was used in the trailer of the 2007 film Martian Child.
Music Video
The music video to the song is a fairly simplistic one. The video was directed by Marc Klasfeld, the same director who directed the music video for her previous hit single "A Thousand Miles".
The video starts with Vanessa writing the songs title in a diary. As she starts to sing "just a boy, just an ordinary boy", a boy appears in the back of her. The video continues with clips of her playing piano in a field, along with various people hugging and kissing each other while she sings the song.
Ordinary Day
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just tryin' to get by
Just a boy, just an, ordinary boy but
He was looking to the sky and
As he asked if I would come along
I started to realize that everyday he finds just what he's lookin' for
Like a shooting star he shines, and he said
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
And as he spoke, he spoke, ordinary words
Though they did not feel
For I felt what I had not felt before
And you'd swear those words could heal and
As I looked up into those eyes, his vision borrows mine
And I know he's no stranger
For I feel I've held him for all of time, and he said
Take my hand, live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
Please come with me, see what I see
Touch the stars for time will not flee
Time will not flee, can't you see
Just a dream, just an, ordinary dream
As I wake in bed
And that boy, that ordinary boy
Was it all in my head?
Didn't he ask if I would come along
It all seemed so real, but as I looked to the door
I saw that boy standing there with a deal, and he said
Take my hand, live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right, in the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand
Just a day, just an ordinary day
Just tryin' to get by
Just a boy, just an ordinary boy, but
He was looking to the sky
Vanessa Carlton's "Ordinary Day" is a song about taking chances and holding onto your dreams. The lyrics describe a chance encounter with an ordinary boy who invites the singer to join him on his journey to find his dreams. The boy seems to be on a mission to live his life to the fullest, looking toward the sky for inspiration and not letting fear hold him back. He encourages the singer to do the same, to live in the present moment and seize the opportunities that come her way.
As the boy speaks, his words take on new meaning for the singer, who feels a sense of connection with him that transcends their brief encounter. She sees something special in his eyes and feels as though she has known him for all of time. At the end of the song, the singer wakes up from what may have been a dream, but the experience has left her feeling changed and inspired to take action towards her own dreams.
The song's message is a universal one, urging listeners to take a chance on themselves and pursue their dreams. Its catchy melody and optimistic lyrics have made it a popular choice for everything from weddings to graduation ceremonies.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a day, just an, ordinary day
The singer is experiencing a typical, uneventful day.
Just tryin' to get by
The singer is trying to survive the monotony of their daily life.
Just a boy, just an, ordinary boy but
A male figure is introduced as an ordinary person.
He was looking to the sky and
The male figure is gazing up towards the sky.
As he asked if I would come along
The male figure invites the artist to join him.
I started to realize that everyday he finds just what he's lookin' for
The singer recognizes that the male figure finds something valuable in each day.
Like a shooting star he shines, and he said
The male figure's presence is described as bright and he speaks again.
Take my hand, live while you can
The male figure encourages the artist to seize the day and make the most of their life.
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
The male figure tells the artist that their dreams are attainable.
And as he spoke, he spoke, ordinary words
The male figure speaks with plain language.
Though they did not feel
The singer is unimpressed with the male figure's initial message.
For I felt what I had not felt before
The artist experiences a newfound emotion or realization.
And you'd swear those words could heal and
The singer is moved by the male figure's words.
As I looked up into those eyes, his vision borrows mine
The singer shares a deep connection with the male figure through eye contact.
And I know he's no stranger
The singer feels familiar with the male figure despite not knowing him previously.
For I feel I've held him for all of time, and he said
The artist describes a strong, timeless bond with the male figure who speaks again.
Please come with me, see what I see
The male figure invites the artist to witness something important.
Touch the stars for time will not flee
The male figure urges the singer to take action and appreciate the moment.
Time will not flee, can't you see
The male figure emphasizes the importance of living in the present.
Just a dream, just an, ordinary dream
The artist suggests that their experience with the male figure may have been a dream.
As I wake in bed
The artist describes waking up from their sleep.
And that boy, that ordinary boy
The male figure is referred to again as an ordinary person.
Was it all in my head?
The singer questions the reality of their experience with the male figure.
Didn't he ask if I would come along
The artist recalls the male figure inviting them to join.
It all seemed so real, but as I looked to the door
The singer reflects on how vivid the experience felt.
I saw that boy standing there with a deal, and he said
The male figure appears again and offers something to the singer.
Take my hand, live while you can
The male figure repeats his earlier encouragement to the singer.
Don't you see your dreams lie right, in the palm of your hand
The male figure repeats his earlier message about the attainability of the artist's dreams.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VANESSA CARLTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Music Worm
Just a day
Just an ordinary day
Just trying to get by
Just a boy
Just an ordinary boy
But he was looking to the sky
And as he asked if I would come along
I started to realize
That everyday he finds
Just what he's looking for
Like a shooting star he shines
He said take my hand
Live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
And as he spoke, he spoke ordinary words
Although they did not feel
For I felt what I had not felt before
And you'd swear those words could heal
And as I looked up into those eyes
His vision borrows mine
And I know he's no stranger
For I feel I've held him for all of time
And he said take my hand
Live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand
Please come with me
See what I see
Touch the stars for time will not flee
Time will not flee
Can you see?
Just a dream, just an ordinary dream
As I wake in bed
And the boy, that ordinary boy
Or was it all in my head?
Did he ask if I would come along
It all seemed so real
But as I looked to the door
I saw that boy standing there with a deal
And he said take my hand
Live while you can
Don't you see all your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand
Just a day, just an ordinary day
Just trying to get by
Just a boy
Just an ordinary boy
But he was looking to the sky
Joe Martinez
It's a damn shame this song didn't get more recognition. Definitely a favorite of mine.
Roger Taylor's Car
Same! This song is better than ATM
S3NTINEL2001
It actually did when it released it, the video always played on MTV and was on TRL ..and the song was on heavy rotation on the radio....or you mean nowadays ?
GOD IS ROCK MINISTRIES.
Great minds are few on Earth no surprises.
Ali Angelettie
First heard it on Radio Disney. First song I learned by heart
Liam Yan
This is honestly one of the toughest songs to sing. Only Vanessa Carlton can sing this song flawlessly.
Roger Taylor's Car
True.
Tolulope Moyosore
True..
It's MARTINI!
True
Donovan Willemse
True!