Ordinary Average Guy

Album: Ordinary Average Guy (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Walsh wrote this about his mid-life crisis. It deals with escaping the fame and fortune associated with the life of a rock star. Walsh makes a statement that even though he is famous, he is just as ordinary as you and me - he does yard work, has a Dodge, goes out bowling etc.
  • This is a parody of Walsh's previous release, "Life's Been Good," which is about rock star excess. Walsh is well known for his sense of humor. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Mountlake Terrace, Washington, for above 2

Comments: 9

  • Vince H from JakartaMaybe he's using irony to illustrate that there is no single universal depiction of "ordinary, average" guys, that the term itself is a myth created by pop culture and commercial media aimed at middle-aged suburban men. I mean, some of the descriptors in the song apply to some, maybe all apply to a few, but are they really "average" and "ordinary" in the truest sense of the words? To go a step forward, they're almost depicted as hollow "ideals".... Or maybe this is just the 2020 in me talkin'.
  • Chase from Miami, FlI think that what Joes tryin to say is that he may be rich, famous, and be amazing at guitar he is an average Joe literally. And trust me dog doo is better to pick up when hard.
  • Geo from Altoona, PaJoe Walsh is just another average Joe..But he does have money than I do..
  • Ryan from Cleveland, Ohworse or just pretty damn funny??
  • Andrew from Indianapolis, Inpick up the dog doo, hope that it's hard. THE ABSOLUTE WORSE LYRIC IN ROCK N ROLL HISTORY
  • Jon from Oakridge, OrHey Stefanie
  • Jon from Oakridge, OrWalsh-the ultimate CLASSIC rock star.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI thought the song "Life's Been Good To Me" was the parody. I've never heard this one, so I didn't know it's the parody.
  • Jonathan from Oklahoma City, OkCool song...hits home to me...i go bowling every so often, i drive a dodge dakota, and i work in the yard all the time. Very Cool song!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.