Cast away all the enemies of yesterday
to alleviate all the memories that come our way
there's a better life,
now you know that I am on your side
your beady eyes
burn a hole right through the back of mine
I am out of time

I'm an ordinary man
like everybody else
just a common counterfeit
I'm an ordinary man

hesitate while the world is just a step away
to recreate all that innocence that time can take
I am wide awake

I'm an ordinary man
like everybody else
just a common counterfeit
I'm an ordinary man

I'm an ordinary man
like everybody else
just a common counterfeit
I'm an ordinary man
I'm an ordinary man



Lyrics submitted by thewhitepony33, edited by jasonne

Track duration: 03:30


Ordinary Man song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:This song, even more so than many of their others, I find perfectly describes the daily struggles of someone with PTSD.

    Cast away all the enemies of yesterday
    to alleviate all the memories that come our way

    This perfectly describes how one tries to leave behind the past and the memories of the traumatic event.

    I'm an ordinary man
    like everybody else
    just a common counterfeit
    I'm an ordinary man

    This part says to me that the person is trying their best to fit into society and appear the same as everyone else while wrestling with the desease. Almost begging to just be an ordinary person with a boring life free of trauma.

    hesitate while the world is just a step away
    to recreate all that innocence that time can take
    I am wide awake

    To me, this describes the aversion to public places or being seen outside of ones house that can plague someone with PTSD, and of course the nights of insomnia when you are either too keyed up to relax or dreading the nightmares that may come.
    Flag jasonneon February 07, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Many times in life people close to you expect or even TAKE to much from your heart and soul...This song i think is the perfect example that (ben) has given all he has and is trying his best to please everybody or give the person he cares for all they want but it's gotten to the point where enough is enough.
    I'm an ordinary man!!!!
    like everybody else
    just a common counterfeit
    I'm an ordinary man

    He's just only human.....you can't keep taking from a man who has given his all...Many times people don't notice the work the love you can give them or offer them and they treat us like shit....This song is awesome cause it defines the pain of trying to save the world or the person you love but they make it more diffcult than it should be.....and the pain just makes you ordinary...=) cool and great stuff by breaking benjamin yet again.
    Flag Liger350on January 13, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I freaking love this song. Damn Itunes for not having that and Blow Me Away and Ladybug!

    My interpretation: He's basically saying he's human, that he makes mistakes, that he messes up, but he's still here living.
    Flag DarknessPrevailson November 30, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I LOVE THIS SONG IM IN JOURNALISM LISTENING TO THIS SONG AS I WRITE THIS!!
    hell yeah.
    cuz im fucking coooool.

    and i think that ben is trying to make a point that no matter where he travels with his band that in the end he's just like anybody else. and he wants people to understand that instead of calling him a sellout or something retarded like that.


    =D
    Flag NinaDudeon January 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I LOVE THIS SONG IM IN JOURNALISM LISTENING TO THIS SONG AS I WRITE THIS!!
    hell yeah.
    cuz im fucking coooool.

    and i think that ben is trying to make a point that no matter where he travels with his band that in the end he's just like anybody else. and he wants people to understand that instead of calling him a sellout or something retarded like that.


    =D
    Flag NinaDudeon January 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:In the second line its actually alleviate not mediate.But man this song is AWESOME!!!!!
    Flag Halo2Kingon June 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Anyone who hasen't heard this band is missing out on something. These guys are the greatest... does anyone have good tabs for this song (guitar OR drums I play both)
    Flag PainfulLullabyon May 11, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is frekin awesome i looooove it soooo much! BB f'ng rocks they're the best ever! I love them!
    Flag BbGiRl07628on April 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Try Limewire, but I don't know if the EP version is on there.
    Flag CRYN_OUTon January 04, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song rocks. Why the hell didnt it make the cut? Does anyone know where i can find ladybug without buyin the cd cuz its the only bb song i dont have. It'd be a big help. BB ROCKS!!!!
    Flag chaoticlokion December 24, 2004   Link

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