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Piece #87 - Ordinary World

Came in from a rainy Thursday on the avenue
Thought I heard you talking softly
I turned on the lights, the TV and the radio
But still I can't escape the ghost of you

What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away

But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world I will learn to survive

Passion or coincidence once prompted you to say
Pride will tear us both apart
Well, now pride's gone out the window
Cross the rooftops, run away
Left me in the vacuum of my heart

What has happened to me?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away

But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world I will learn to survive

What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is the world that I recognize?
Gone away

And I don't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world I will learn to survive

Every one is my world
I will learn to survive
Every one, every one
Somehow I have to find

Songwriters:
Simon John Le Bon;Nicholas James Bates;John Taylor;Warren Cuccurullo
Published by:
EMI APRIL MUSIC, INC.;AMERICAN SKIN TRADE MUSIC;PRIVATE PARTS MUSIC


I have to admit that this is the first time I've directly addressed a song and its lyrics because this one in particular I felt had a direct correlation with my Asperger's Syndrome. Among all of the lyrics to this song, I believe the over lying theme is the search for a 'real' or 'perfect' world, but in this case, just settling on an "Ordinary World". Those of us with Asperger's know that we just don't see the world the same way regular people do. I have mentioned on several occasions how frustrating it can be to just 'function' in the world we live and not feel like we're a bunch of screw ups.

To begin with, Duran Duran who wrote and sang the song had written it in dealing with the death of a good friend, but I really believe it goes a lot further than just dealing with the grief and loss of his friend. I believe the song is a fitting tribute to the friend, but to those of us who have Asperger's, the feeling is a sense of loss as well, however, deeper. The opening lyrics really can be any day with any condition, but still coming home can be rather disorienting for anyone of us because if our routine was thrown off or our day was frustrating then our life at home can disappear in regards to what our role might be when we first enter. "Crazy some would say..." most people can still function when they come home even if the day wasn't all that great so for me to say that our whole evening could be shot because of our day, to others, might see a little nutty.

The chorus of the song really hits at the heart of what we with Asperger's deal with: "But I won't cry for yesterday, There's an ordinary world somehow I have to find, And as I try to make my way, To the ordinary world I will learn to survive". I really believe there are times when we really want to find 'our place' or that "Ordinary World" so we can "survive" or at least stay afloat. There is a really good reason why most of us are suicidal because many times, we get tired of trying to survive and strive; to live life that we are trying to find, but fail to do so. The chorus is the real tragedy of the song.

For the rest of the lyrics, they just help bring home the same main idea of the need for a world we are never really going to find, but yet we still believe it's out there. The song talks about pride and how it would tear us apart so in some way, I see the organizations for autism that are out there banging there chest saying they have found some 'cure' for autism or that vaccinations are the reason for the condition, thus separating the idea of a combined effort to make the world aware of autism. Instead, all of these different groups squabble over who is right and who is wrong. In many ways, the idea of a focused message is a lot like a vacuum that is sucking out the whole intent of needing to have better autism awareness out of the world’s community.

I know anyone with autism dreams of a world where people do understand and are willing to help all of us who need it. Sadly, that 'ordinary world' is never going to happen here on earth, but that doesn't mean the end. Red sings this song really well, but their eyes are more directed at heaven than just what is simply here on earth. The place we need to look isn't the ordinary world, but maybe the more celestial setting. If you put your belief in Jesus then you will find a place much greater than a simple...ordinary...world.

Song of Inspiration [Check it out on iTunes or Android!]:

Song: "Ordinary World"

Artist: Red


Album: Innocence & Instinct 


Here the Red video for the selected song:











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