Probably my favorite song in Nujabes’ discography. The message i take from this song is that no matter how complicated life gets, how people try to trick you, and how much life can get you down, you can always find comfort in simplicity and music.

  • “Ordinary Joe”
    (feat. Terry Callier)

    [Terry Callier:]
    And for my opening line
    I’m not trying to indicate my state of mind
    I turn you on
    I tell you that I’m laughing just to keep from crying
    And bringing music when you hear it
    Keep on trying to get near it
    A little rhythm for your spirit
    Oh but that’s what it’s for
    Come on in, here’s the door

    And I’ve seen a sparrow get high
    Wasting time in the sky
    He thinks it’s easy to fly
    He’s just a little bit freer than I

    Down here on the ground
    When you find folks are giving you the runaround
    Get your game uptight
    And if you must just take your secrets underground
    Politicians are trying to speech you
    Mad colour watchers are trying to teach you
    Very few will really try to reach you
    If you’re lost in a stack
    That’s OK, come on back

    Now I’d be the last to deny
    That I’m just an average guy
    Each little bird in the sky
    Is just a little bit freer than I

    Say, Ordinary Joe
    Although they say you’re just a lazy so-and-so
    What they think is real
    Is nothing but an animated puppet show
    So don’t let time and space confuse you
    And don’t let name and form abuse you
    Well let Big Joe Williams blues you
    In the light of the sun you can see how they run

    Oh I’ve seen a sparrow get high
    Wasting time in the sky
    He thinks it’s easy to fly
    He’s just a little bit freer than I