For the Neil Young song of the same name see the album Chrome Dreams II.
| Ordinary People | |
| Artist: | John Legend |
| From Album: | Get Lifted |
| Released: | 04/07/2005 |
| Format: | CD single |
| Recorded: | 2004 |
| Genre: | R&B, Soul |
| Length: | 4:41 (Album Version) 4:01 (Edit) |
| Label: | Sony |
| Producer: | John Legend, will.i.am |
| Certification: | Gold (RIAA) |
| Last Single: | "Used to Love U" (2004) |
| This Single: | "Ordinary People" (2005) |
| Next Single: | "Number One" (2005) |
"Ordinary People" is the Grammy-winning second single from John Legend's album Get Lifted. The only instrument used in the song is the piano, which is played by Legend himself. The song's lyrics talk about how people make mistakes in relationships and that fighting and making up in the end is a regular obstacle. The song has been praised for its raw emotion and simplicity, and is considered to be Legend's signature song. The song was originally intended to be part of a Black Eyed Peas project, but will.i.am decided to let John Legend keep the track, removing the Black Eyed Peas' vocals entirely.
The video for "Ordinary People" features Legend playing a grand piano in an all-white space, while couples and families of varying ethnic backgrounds fight and reconcile around and in front of the piano. For the final minute of the video, Legend is joined by a strings section and (audibly) a harmonica. Legend walks to and from the piano with a glass of water, as a short bookending to the video proper.
The single has been certified gold by the RIAA. The song was also featured on the compilation album Now That's What I Call Music 19!.
Aloe Blacc recorded a cover version in Spanish, titled "Gente Ordinaria." An Indonesian singer, Afgan Syah Reza also covered this song as a single on 2008.
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 24 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop 100 | 55 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 27 |
| UK Singles Chart | 30 |