"Normal Life" is the quasi-title track from the Primitive Normative album. With the brother quasi-title track being the heavy blues rock anthem "Primal Desire". "Normal Life" is a song I wrote shortly after I finished the Mission Of Mercy album in the spring of 2013. I wrote all of the music and lyrics for "Normal Life" on June 11, 2013. While it's a soft and personal tune, I knew it was a keeper that I would record in the future. Considering "Normal Life" is a song I wrote a month after breaking up with my girlfriend of 5 years, I had a broken heart while writing it. "Normal Life" is about growing up and missing the typical life milestones common with friends and family. No car, no house, no wedding. Basically being an outcast from the norms of society. With Primitive Normative being a concept album about the individual v.s. the mask, "Normal Life" is the official ballad of the album. And it was truthful. As I was so focused on my music, that I couldn't even maintain a relationship.
After I moved from Peterborough to Toronto in September of 2013, the Plaid On Flannel band started as a 3-piece on February 15, 2014. As the band got more active on the Toronto live music circuit, I was writing more songs for the 3rd Plaid On Flannel album. I began recording the Primitive Normative album on August 31, 2014. After producing a few other tunes, I started recording "Normal Life" on December 1, 2014. It's the only song in the Plaidalog to not feature any electric guitar. It's also one of the few POF tunes to not have any drums or percussion in it. There are 2 rhythm acoustic guitars in "Normal Life" playing throughout the whole song. With another acoustic playing arpeggios during the verses and extra rhythm during the choruses. As well, I added a mandolin that starts after the 1st chorus, and continues for the rest of the tune. Each of the first 4 Plaid On Flannel albums feature a song with mandolin in it, and "Normal Life" is that tune for Primitive Normative.
With 4 stringed instrument audio tracks on "Normal Life", I countered those with 3 MIDI software instrument tracks. One is manipulating the sound of an acoustic guitar in the verses and final chorus. I added a Steinway Grand Piano MIDI track to give it more acoustic flavour and colour. Later in the tune, that piano plays arpeggios that reflect off of the acoustics and mandolin. This was inspired by Black Sabbath's instrumental piece "Fluff" from 1973. And that was because I knew "Normal Life" was a fluffy song as well. I had already used piano arpeggios with mandolin on "Away From It All" from the Mission Of Mercy album. The final MIDI software instrument track is a Picked Electric Bass.
"Normal Life" has an abundance of harmony backup vocals in the 2nd and 3rd choruses of the song. This was inspired by my love for The Beach Boys and the layered harmonies they're known for. "Normal Life" is a tune that I've never played live by myself, or with a band. And I never will. It's one of those deeply personal songs I want to keep reserved for only the Primitive Normative album.
lyrics
Words and music by Nolan Randall
Wanna live the simple life
But I'm feeling it's too late to make that stride
Wanna be so ordinary, but it's not where I belong
Fighting for my only pride
And I'm feeling like my dreams are 12 miles wide
Out of nowhere, more to carry
And I know my right from wrong
Year after year, I see another friend of mine
Has the car, the house, the wife
Because he lived a normal life
Falling into oblivion
And I wonder what happened back then
Gone too far, and I don't even care
The normal life seems fair
Many people live a lie
And I can't help but think and just wonder why
Seems that they don't have an issue
And they always make it through
Look ahead as I'm passing by
And I am nothing like any other guy
The world will try to enlist you
But it's not what you're used to
Year after year I see another friend of mine
Has the car, the house, the wife
Because he lived a normal life
Wondering why I left aside
The things I'd have if I just tried
Gone too far and I don't even care
The normal life seems fair
Well, it seems so fair, the normal life seems fair
Year after year, I see another friend of mine
Has the car, the house, the wife
Because he lived a normal life
Milestones that I underachieve
If I only rolled up my own sleeves
Gone too far, and I don't even care
The normal life seems fair
Well, it seems so fair, the normal life seems fair
Plaid On Flannel is an alternative indie blues rock act from Toronto, Canada. With 80+ original songs recorded since 2011,
singer-songwriter Nolan Randall has remained the sole constant member of the band. POF's music is known for guitar riffs/solos, memorable hooks, catchy melodies/harmonies, evocative lyrics, & superb musicianship. While keeping a focus on originality and songwriting quality....more
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