Ordinary

by Alex Warren

They say, "The holy water's watered down
And this town's lost its faith
Our colors will fade eventually"
So, if our time is runnin' out
Day after day
We'll make the mundane our masterpiece
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my love
I take one look at you
You're takin' me out of the ordinary
I want you layin' me down 'til we're dead and buried
On the edge of your knife, stayin' drunk on your vine
The angels up in the clouds are jealous knowin' we found
Somethin' so out of the ordinary
You got me kissin' thе ground of your sanctuary
Shatter me with your touch, oh, Lord, return mе to dust
The angels up in the clouds are jealous knowin' we found
Hopeless hallelujah
On this side of Heaven's gate
Oh, my life, how do ya
Breathe and take my breath away?
At your altar, I will pray
You're the sculptor, I'm the clay
Oh, my, my
You're takin' me out of the ordinary
I want you layin' me down 'til we're dead and buried
On the edge of your knife, stayin' drunk on your vine
The angels up in the clouds are jealous knowin' we found
Somethin' so out (Out) of the ordinary (Ordinary)
You got me kissing the ground (Ground) of your sanctuary (Sanctuary)
Shatter me with your touch, oh, Lord, return me to dust
The angels up in the clouds are jealous knowin' we found
Somethin' so heavenly, higher than ecstasy
Whenever you're next to me, oh, my, my
World was in black and white until I saw your light
I thought you had to die to find
Somethin' so out of the ordinary
I want you laying me down 'til we're dead and buried
On the edge of your knife, stayin' drunk on your vine
The angels up in the clouds are jealous knowin' we found
Somethin' so out (Out) of the ordinary
You got me kissing the ground (Ground) of your sanctuary (Sanctuary)
Shatter me with your touch, oh, Lord, return me to dust
The angels up in the clouds are jealous knowin' we found

Interpretations

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Analysis
# The Divine in the Mundane: Alex Warren's "Ordinary" Transcends Its Title

In Alex Warren's hauntingly beautiful "Ordinary," we encounter a masterful exploration of how profound love can transform the everyday into the extraordinary. The song weaves a rich tapestry of religious imagery with passionate devotion, creating a lyrical landscape where romantic love is elevated to something almost sacred. Warren's central message revolves around the idea that in a world where "the holy water's watered down" and "this town's lost its faith," authentic connection becomes our last remaining sanctuary—a form of transcendence accessible without divine intervention.

The emotional core of "Ordinary" oscillates between reverence and desperation, creating a poignant tension that drives the narrative forward. Warren conveys the intoxicating euphoria of finding someone who breaks through life's mundanity, while simultaneously expressing vulnerability in the face of such transformative love. The repeated refrain that "angels up in the clouds are jealous" suggests both elation and defiance—a celebration that earthly love can rival celestial bliss. This emotional duality creates a compelling authenticity, as the speaker both worships their beloved and surrenders completely to them, finding liberation in this voluntary subjugation.

Warren's lyrical craftsmanship shines through his masterful use of religious symbolism and metaphor. The beloved becomes a deity with their own "sanctuary" where the speaker "kisses the ground." Biblical allusions abound: the transformation of water to wine ("staying drunk on your vine"), creation imagery ("you're the sculptor, I'm the clay"), and even resurrection themes ("return me to dust"). The juxtaposition of "hopeless hallelujah" perfectly encapsulates the song's central paradox—finding divine meaning in a seemingly godless world through human connection. These religious motifs aren't mere stylistic choices but serve to elevate romantic love to the realm of spiritual experience.

Within the cultural context of increasing secularization, "Ordinary" speaks to a universal human yearning for transcendence in an age of disenchantment. The opening lines acknowledge a collective disillusionment ("this town's lost its faith"), yet the song responds not with nihilism but with a radical proposition: "we'll make the mundane our masterpiece." Warren taps into the zeitgeist of a generation seeking meaning outside traditional religious frameworks, suggesting that profound human connection can fill the spiritual void. The song becomes a post-religious hymn, celebrating how love can provide the transformation and revelation once sought exclusively through formal worship.

One compelling interpretation views "Ordinary" as a subversive commentary on traditional religion. When Warren sings "on the edge of your knife," he evokes both danger and sacrifice, suggesting that this earthly devotion requires risk. The line "I thought you had to die to find something so out of the ordinary" directly challenges religious promises of paradise after death, asserting that heaven can be experienced here and now through human connection. Alternatively, the song can be read as a metaphor for artistic creation itself—the transformation of everyday experiences into something transcendent through creative expression, with the beloved representing not just a person but inspiration itself.

What makes "Ordinary" resonate so deeply is its ability to bridge the gap between the sacred and profane, offering listeners a vocabulary for expressing the ineffable quality of profound love. Warren's lyrics capture that rare moment when another person's presence alters our perception of reality itself—"World was in black and white until I saw your light." In an age of casual connections and disposable relationships, "Ordinary" reminds us of love's transformative potential. The song's lasting impact lies in its affirmation that even as traditional sources of meaning fade, we can still find transcendence in human connection—perhaps the most extraordinary revelation of all.
Posted on Jun 14, 2025 by Athena