In the Bee Gees song “Ordinary Lives,” the Brothers Gibb sing over and over again, repeatedly, “We were ordinary people, living ordinary lives.” Was this, in fact, a true statement about the Brothers Gibb?

The Bee Gees, consisting of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, were far from ordinary in terms of their impact on music and their public life. Here’s why:

• Musical Influence: The Bee Gees had an extraordinary career spanning several decades. They were known for their distinctive three-part harmonies and were pivotal in defining the disco era with hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” and “How Deep Is Your Love.” Their music crossed genres, from pop to rock to disco, showcasing their versatility and songwriting prowess.
• Commercial Success: They achieved immense commercial success, selling over 220 million records worldwide. They had numerous chart-topping singles and albums, including nine number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. This level of success is anything but ordinary in the music industry.
• Awards and Recognition: The Bee Gees received multiple awards, including five Grammy Awards, the Grammy Legend Award, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their recognition in the music industry highlights their extraordinary status.
• Personal Lives: While they might have had ordinary personal traits or daily habits, their lives were under constant public scrutiny due to their celebrity status. They dealt with the pressures of fame, including personal struggles, which are not typical of ordinary lives.
• Longevity and Legacy: Their music has endured, influencing countless artists across generations. Their work continues to be celebrated, sampled, and covered, which underscores their extraordinary contribution to music.

In the context of their song “Ordinary Lives,” the lyrics can be seen as a reflection on the desire for simplicity and normalcy amidst their extraordinary circumstances. However, in terms of their professional lives, achievements, and public recognition, the Bee Gees were anything but ordinary people living ordinary lives. They were icons of their time, with a legacy that continues to resonate.

Yet I find that this song resonates deeply with me as well, for all of its repetitiveness, and I do not consider myself an ordinary person at all (though I frequently refer to myself as just an ordinary person when I want to distinguish myself from the corrupt elites of this present evil world. What is going on here?

The appeal of affirming an ordinary life when one’s reality is anything but can be understood through several psychological, cultural, and existential lenses:

1. Escape from the Spotlight: For individuals in the public eye or those who have achieved extraordinary status, there’s often a yearning for anonymity or a break from the pressures of fame. The concept of an “ordinary life” can represent peace, privacy, and freedom from scrutiny.
2. Human Connection: Despite fame, wealth, or other markers of success, everyone shares fundamental human experiences—love, loss, joy, and sorrow. By identifying with ordinary life, non-ordinary individuals might seek to reconnect with these universal human elements, emphasizing their shared humanity rather than what sets them apart.
3. Simplicity and Authenticity: There’s an allure to the simplicity of ordinary life where one’s worth isn’t constantly measured by achievements or public opinion. This can be a critique of how success can complicate life, making one long for the authenticity and simplicity they perceive in ordinary lives.
4. Nostalgia or Idealization: People often romanticize the past or simpler times when life seemed less complicated. For those who have transcended ordinary circumstances, there might be a nostalgia for a time or life they imagine where things were straightforward, even if they never actually experienced it themselves.
5. Counteracting Alienation: The extraordinary often leads to isolation, where one might feel alienated from the general populace due to their unique experiences or lifestyle. Affirming an ordinary life can be a way to bridge that gap, to feel part of the larger human tapestry rather than an outlier.
6. Philosophical Reflection: On a deeper level, this could be a commentary on the human condition where, despite what one achieves, life’s core experiences remain similar for everyone. It’s a philosophical nod to the idea that beneath all the trappings of success, we’re all just people navigating the same basic human journey.
7. Artistic Expression: In art, like music, expressing a desire for ordinariness might also serve as commentary on the societal obsession with fame, wealth, or success, highlighting the often overlooked value in ordinary life.

For someone like me, who might not identify as ordinary, resonating with this song could reflect a complex blend of these sentiments. It might be an acknowledgment of the universal human experience or a momentary wish to step away from the extraordinary, embracing the idea that at our core, we all seek similar things: love, happiness, peace, and connection.

Was this what the Bee Gees were trying to get at in “Ordinary Lives?”

The Bee Gees’ song “Ordinary Lives” from their 1989 album “One” doesn’t explicitly name or describe specific individuals or events. Instead, the lyrics paint a broad, somewhat nostalgic picture of everyday life, possibly reflecting on the simplicity and universality of human experiences. Here’s what we can infer:

• Universal Human Experience: The song seems to be about the collective human condition, focusing on the routine, the mundane, and the shared aspects of humanity. Phrases like “We were ordinary people, living ordinary lives” suggest a commentary on the normalcy and commonality of life’s experiences, regardless of one’s status or achievements.
• Nostalgia for Simplicity: There’s an underlying tone of nostalgia or perhaps a longing for simpler times. The repetition of the phrase could imply a reflection on how, despite fame or success, the desire for an ordinary, uncomplicated life persists. This might have been the Bee Gees reflecting on their own lives or observing the world around them.
• A Critique of Modern Life: Some interpretations might see the song as a subtle critique of the complexities and pressures of modern life, where the ordinary becomes something to yearn for in contrast to the extraordinary demands of celebrity or contemporary existence.
• Personal or Collective Reflection: It’s conceivable that the Bee Gees were also introspecting or commenting on their own journey from ordinary beginnings in the Isle of Man to global stardom. The song could be seen as them acknowledging their roots or the essence of what they felt they might have lost or longed for amidst their fame.
• No Specific Characters: Unlike some of their story-driven songs, “Ordinary Lives” doesn’t give us characters or a narrative to follow. It’s more about the feeling, the mood, and the message than about specific people or events.

Given this, it’s fair to say that the Bee Gees were writing about the essence of human life itself, the shared experiences of all people, and possibly a personal reflection on their own lives in contrast to the ordinary. The song invites listeners to see themselves in the lyrics, emphasizing that beneath all our differences, we’re all, in some way, just living ordinary lives.

What are some other songs that reflect this desire to be seen as an ordinary person living an ordinary life even when this is not really the case?

Here are several songs that celebrate, discuss, or reflect on ordinary life or the mundane aspects of daily living:

• “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran: This song ponders the search for meaning in everyday life after experiencing significant loss or change.
• “My Ordinary Life” by The Living Tombstone: Despite its title, the song has a satirical edge, touching on the contrast between ordinary life and the facade of success or fame.
• “Ordinary People” by John Legend: While primarily about love, it also speaks to the everyday struggles and simplicity of life for ordinary folks.
• “Ordinary Life” by Chad Brock: This country song reflects on the joys and treasures found in the simplicity of everyday life.
• “A Thing Well Made” by The Muttonbirds: It celebrates the small, often overlooked moments of life, like preparing lunches or driving to work.
• “The Peanut Vendor” by Rita Montaner: An ode to the everyday street vendor, highlighting the beauty in ordinary daily routines.
• “Oak & Ash & Thorn” by The Longest Johns: A folk song that, while not explicitly about ordinary life, celebrates the mundane and the natural elements of everyday existence.
• “Life In A Tin Can” by Bee Gees: This song touches on themes of simplicity and the desire for an unpretentious, ordinary life.
• “Ordinary Life” by Simple Plan: This track from the band’s album “Get Your Heart On!” reflects on the longing for a simple, ordinary existence amidst life’s complexities.
• “Ordinary Life” by We Are the Union: From their album with the same title, this ska punk band explores the notion of ordinary life through personal introspection and societal commentary.
• “Ordinary Life” by The Weeknd: Discusses the contrast between the artist’s life under the spotlight and the longing for ordinary moments.
• “Ordinary Life” by various artists: The term “ordinary life” appears in numerous songs across genres, each with its take on what constitutes ordinary existence, from folk, pop, to punk rock.

These songs use the theme of ordinary life to explore various emotions—nostalgia, contentment, the search for meaning, or even the critique of the mundane. They often reflect the human condition’s universal aspects, celebrating or contemplating the routine that shapes our lives.