This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Ordinary boys, happy knowing nothing
Happy being no-one but themselves
Ordinary girls, supermarket clothes
Who think it's very clever to be cruel to you
For you were so different
You stood all alone
And you knew
That it had to be so
Avoiding ordinary boys
Happy going nowhere, just around here
In their rattling cars
Ordinary girls
Never seeing further
Than the cold, small streets
That trap them
But you were so different
You had to say no
When those empty fools
Tried to change you, and claim you
For the lair of their ordinary world
Where they feel so lucky
So lucky, so lucky
With their lives laid out before them
They are lucky
So lucky, so lucky
So lucky, so...
Happy being no-one but themselves
Ordinary girls, supermarket clothes
Who think it's very clever to be cruel to you
For you were so different
You stood all alone
And you knew
That it had to be so
Avoiding ordinary boys
Happy going nowhere, just around here
In their rattling cars
Ordinary girls
Never seeing further
Than the cold, small streets
That trap them
But you were so different
You had to say no
When those empty fools
Tried to change you, and claim you
For the lair of their ordinary world
Where they feel so lucky
So lucky, so lucky
With their lives laid out before them
They are lucky
So lucky, so lucky
So lucky, so...
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
The Ordinary Boys Lyrics as written by Stephen Street Steven Morrissey
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this is the song that "The Ordinary Boys" took their name from, was it not?
It was indeed
Ha. Love The Ordinary Boys.
I think it's about how typical teenagers are and someone managing to stand out from the ordinary.
In the last verse, is Morrissey really thinking they are lucky, or not?
i think it's about not wanting to do a simple 9-5 or live an "ordinary life"
Tonyk (though I doubt you'll ever read this message), I'd say that he actually does think they're lucky in a way. Even though those ordinary people have repetative, unfulfilled lives, they are content with themselves because they don't know any better. The narrator is one of those people who just can't see life in that simple way - to survive and enjoy.
first the ordinary boys are total garbage....now that has been established...i think morrissey genuinely belives these 'ordinary boy' to be lucky....'with there lives laid out before them'.....in direct contrast to the feeling of uncertainity, insecurity morrissey feels i think he is genunily envious of them
This song is simply about the people it describes.. people who settle for being perfectly average, never straying far from their home town, with ordinary style and an ordinary life. It is something that has confused me too, but some people really seem happy to take the life that is laid out for them by their parents, society, their peers, etc and never really attempt to make anything of it. Just settling for being ordinary.. though he also seems to hint that really they might envy this person who is different, or at least attempt to conform him/her..
Story of my life this song, well, story of the people around these streets too. Also reminds me of the Maple State's - Wood And Rain (I know it should be the other way around, but I only just picked up Viva Hate, despite being a Morrissey/Smiths fan for years)...
"I haven't been blessed with a simple mind, I can never be sure of anything"