A Life Less Ordinary (1997 single)
Encyclopedia
"A Life Less Ordinary" was a non-album single released by the band Ash
on October 25, 1997. It was the title track of the film of the same name, "A Life Less Ordinary
", starring Ewan McGregor
and Cameron Diaz
, and also appeared on the film's soundtrack. The single was released in three formats: CD, 7" and cassette
. The limited edition 7" was printed on blue vinyl. The song peaked at number ten on the UK Singles Chart
.
The band were personally requested for by the director of the film, Danny Boyle
. This was also the first song to feature their new guitarist Charlotte Hatherley
.
The song had the working title of 'Film Song' and Wheeler has said of the lyrics: 'This is a song about my muse. Robert Graves wrote a book called 'White Goddess' about the goddess of poetry, which is a concept that goes back to the ancient Greeks. Maybe this makes me sound completely mad, but I have this thing about music coming from a higher place. So I was writing a song about the goddess. It's a weird love song. It says how I'd sell my soul for something to believe in, something more significant than everyday life'
The song became their third Top 10 single in the UK charts, peaking at #10, and is very popular with the band and the fans. Later on, in 2002 it was included in the "Intergalactic Sonic 7″s" greatest hits collection. The song is almost always in the band's live set-lists, and also appears on the "Tokyo Blitz" DVD.
The song was remixed in a slightly heavier fashion for the Japanese and US versions of "Nu-Clear Sounds
". It has a different chorus and the first verse repeated in place of the second.
from the album Chocolate and Cheese
. This track also features on Ash's live album "Live at the Wireless
".
The B-side "Where Is Our Love Going?" is more of an example of the music Ash used to make in their "Trailer
" then where they were heading for in "Nu-Clear Sounds
". It's a fast-paced number, which later appeared on the "Cosmic Debris" B-sides collection.
The (CD only) track, "Halloween" also appears on "Cosmic Debris", but is a much slower paced story, telling a tale of loneliness on Halloween
night until finally reuniting with his friends at the end of the song. The track was originally called 'Happy Halloween'.
directed the video for the single, which consists of the band playing on a race-track inside a heart-shaped area marked with crash barriers. Four cars appear and crash into the band. The cars race forward with the band still playing the song on the bonnets of the cars. Towards the end, the cars crash into each other throwing one over the top. However, the cars land perfectly and they race off into the distance and out of view. Of course, this being the soundtrack to the film of the same name, footage from the film is occasionally cut to. Rick was taken ill was bronchitis during the filming of this video, which explains why after the first few shots of him at the start, he has his hood up for the rest of the video. This was in fact a crew member filling in for him.
Promo CD INFECT 50CDP
7"
Ash (band)
Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The band has sold 8 million albums worldwide.-Band beginning, Trailer and 1977 :...
on October 25, 1997. It was the title track of the film of the same name, "A Life Less Ordinary
A Life Less Ordinary
A Life Less Ordinary is a 1997 British black comedy film directed by Danny Boyle, written by John Hodge. It stars Ewan McGregor, Cameron Diaz, Holly Hunter, and Delroy Lindo.-Plot:...
", starring Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
and Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona...
, and also appeared on the film's soundtrack. The single was released in three formats: CD, 7" and cassette
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
. The limited edition 7" was printed on blue vinyl. The song peaked at number ten on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
The band were personally requested for by the director of the film, Danny Boyle
Danny Boyle
Daniel "Danny" Boyle is an English filmmaker and producer. He is best known for his work on films such as Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, 28 Days Later, Sunshine and Trainspotting. For Slumdog Millionaire, Boyle won numerous awards in 2008, including the Academy Award for Best Director...
. This was also the first song to feature their new guitarist Charlotte Hatherley
Charlotte Hatherley
Charlotte Franklin Hatherley is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. She initially came to prominence as guitarist and backing vocalist for alternative rock band Ash. Since departing Ash in 2006, she has found success as a solo artist...
.
The song had the working title of 'Film Song' and Wheeler has said of the lyrics: 'This is a song about my muse. Robert Graves wrote a book called 'White Goddess' about the goddess of poetry, which is a concept that goes back to the ancient Greeks. Maybe this makes me sound completely mad, but I have this thing about music coming from a higher place. So I was writing a song about the goddess. It's a weird love song. It says how I'd sell my soul for something to believe in, something more significant than everyday life'
The song became their third Top 10 single in the UK charts, peaking at #10, and is very popular with the band and the fans. Later on, in 2002 it was included in the "Intergalactic Sonic 7″s" greatest hits collection. The song is almost always in the band's live set-lists, and also appears on the "Tokyo Blitz" DVD.
The song was remixed in a slightly heavier fashion for the Japanese and US versions of "Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds is the second official studio album by Ash, released on 5 October 1998. Despite not being as publicly acclaimed as the other albums, it was certified Gold by the BPI.On May 11, 1999 Nu-Clear Sounds was released in the United States....
". It has a different chorus and the first verse repeated in place of the second.
B-sides
The first B-side, "What Deaner Was Talking About" is a cover of the song by WeenWeen
Ween is an American alternative rock group. They formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania when central members Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo met in an eighth grade typing class. Ween has a large cult underground fanbase despite being generally unknown in American pop music...
from the album Chocolate and Cheese
Chocolate and Cheese
Chocolate and Cheese is Ween's fourth studio album, originally released by Elektra Records in 1994. It was the first Ween album to eschew the crude four-track home recordings of their first three albums and utilize a professional recording studio...
. This track also features on Ash's live album "Live at the Wireless
Live at the Wireless (Ash album)
Live at the Wireless was a limited edition, live album by Ash, released in 1997. It was recorded live at the Triple J Studios in Australia during the group's 1996 Australian tour and printed on the band's own Deathstar label....
".
The B-side "Where Is Our Love Going?" is more of an example of the music Ash used to make in their "Trailer
Trailer (album)
Trailer is a punk influenced mini album by the band Ash featuring their first three singles. An expanded edition also includes 4 b-sides. The album was released in October, 1994 through Infectious Records...
" then where they were heading for in "Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds is the second official studio album by Ash, released on 5 October 1998. Despite not being as publicly acclaimed as the other albums, it was certified Gold by the BPI.On May 11, 1999 Nu-Clear Sounds was released in the United States....
". It's a fast-paced number, which later appeared on the "Cosmic Debris" B-sides collection.
The (CD only) track, "Halloween" also appears on "Cosmic Debris", but is a much slower paced story, telling a tale of loneliness on Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
night until finally reuniting with his friends at the end of the song. The track was originally called 'Happy Halloween'.
Music video
The famous directors Hammer & TongsHammer & Tongs
Hammer & Tongs is the pseudonym of promo and film director Garth Jennings and producer Nick Goldsmith, as well as the name of their production company...
directed the video for the single, which consists of the band playing on a race-track inside a heart-shaped area marked with crash barriers. Four cars appear and crash into the band. The cars race forward with the band still playing the song on the bonnets of the cars. Towards the end, the cars crash into each other throwing one over the top. However, the cars land perfectly and they race off into the distance and out of view. Of course, this being the soundtrack to the film of the same name, footage from the film is occasionally cut to. Rick was taken ill was bronchitis during the filming of this video, which explains why after the first few shots of him at the start, he has his hood up for the rest of the video. This was in fact a crew member filling in for him.
Track listing
CD 1- "A Life Less Ordinary" (Wheeler)
- "What Deaner Was Talking About" (WeenWeenWeen is an American alternative rock group. They formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania when central members Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo met in an eighth grade typing class. Ween has a large cult underground fanbase despite being generally unknown in American pop music...
) - "Where Is Our Love Going?" (Wheeler)
- "Halloween" (Wheeler)
Promo CD INFECT 50CDP
- "A Life Less Ordinary" Radio Edit(Wheeler) 3:59
- "A Life Less Ordinary" Album Version (Wheeler) 4:39
7"
- "A Life Less Ordinary" (Wheeler)
- "Where Is Our Love Going?" (Wheeler)
- "What Deaner Was Talking About" (Ween)