| "Ordinary People" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byThe Box | ||||
| from the albumCloser Together | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Recorded | 1986 | |||
| Genre | New wave,rock,progressive rock | |||
| Length | 3:51 | |||
| Label | Alert | |||
| Songwriter | Jean-Marc Pisapia | |||
| Producers | Marc Durand andThe Box | |||
| The Box singles chronology | ||||
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"Ordinary People" is a song written byJean-Marc Pisapia, and recorded by Canadian new wave groupThe Box. It was released in July 1987 as the second single from their albumCloser Together, and peaked at #16 in theRPM charts.
The song's theme created some controversy at the time of its release due to itsCold War and political themes, and for combining theAmerican andSoviet national anthems during the instrumental break.
Some music critics chafed at the idea that the song was recorded by a French-Canadian band, despite the song's opening and closing line referencing both theUnited States andSoviet Union.
According to Pisapia, the song's content labelled them a politically oriented band, which wasn't the case. He was inspired to write the song after hostile events taking place around the world at the time. Pisapia cleared up any hints that the song was politically motivated, stating that regardless of what side of the world they lived on, they are all ordinary people who don't care about political issues and stances and just want to live in peace.[1][2]
Pisapia directed the music video for the single, which garnered him a nomination for Best Video at the1989 Juno Awards.[3]
Best video : Ron Berti-The Northern Pikes, Wait For Me; Michael Buckley- Blue Rodeo, Try; James O-'Mara and Kate Ryan-Art Bergmann, Our Little Secret; Donald Robertson-Jane Siberry, Ingrid and the Footman; Jean Marc Pisapia-The Box, Ordinary People.