Politics Central: The Glenn and Helen Show: Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik on War, Peace, and Music

John Ondrasik is Five for Fighting. Unless you’ve been living in a cave in Waziristan, you’ve heard his songs like 100 Years, Superman, and The Riddle. But the title cut to his latest album, Two Lights, turns out to come from a lunch with none other than blogosphere fave Victor Davis Hanson. We talk to Ondrasik about politics in the music business, what drives his songwriting, what aspiring musicians should do to make it, and more — including his new web-video-based viral charity enterprise, What Kind of World Do You Want? (Hear his music on iTunes here.)

Music is by Five for Fighting. This podcast is sponsored by Volvo USA.

The Glenn and Helen Show: Five for Fighting’s John Ondraisik on War, Peace, and Music

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Comments (9)

Chris Behrens :

I love VDH AND Ondrasik! Classical history and great tunes!

Feb 15, 2007 08:07 AM

tom scott :

I bought the Two Lights CD based on the Dr Helen review. Now I'm ready to go out and buy the CD with "Superman" on it.
Great interview

Feb 15, 2007 08:24 AM

Matt :

excellent, well thought out interview. John Ondrasik is obviously a very intelligent person. Not just because he is ideologically similar but because he thinks out issues.
I am definitely buying his new album. I've always loved his songs. In fact, bought his first album. Now, I understand why his songs are so intelligent.

Matt

Feb 15, 2007 08:36 AM

Eric Shirley :

God Bless Mr. Ondrasik. His song 100 years makes me cry, especially since I just turned 40!

Eric

Feb 15, 2007 08:41 AM

Phil :

Wow, was I impressed by how well grounded this guy is. I've heard "100 Years" and "Superman" and never gave them much thought. Never even knew the names of those songs, I just recognized them when I've heard them. It's a prejudice I've developed against that vocal style, because I associate it with what I call "whiner rock" (think "Isn't it Ironic" et. al). Not trying to diss him here - it's not bad in and of itself - I'm just illustrating my prejudice.

I should know better after being a music fan for... well all my life.

After listening to this interview I'm eager to listen again (and more closely) to those songs and the rest of his stuff. May have to move him into the Ben Folds category -- another guy I learned to like when I forced myself to get past initial impressions. Thanks for the interview!

Feb 15, 2007 12:51 PM

Ron :

A reasoned world view actually has a soundtrack. I never knew.

Feb 15, 2007 01:40 PM

Bryan Pick :

Excellent interview, Glenn and Helen. John has a great attitude.

Feb 15, 2007 05:35 PM

BrianNYC :

Wow, John Ondrasik proves John Wilkes Booth wrong when that assassin once said something like, "artists are to be seen, not known."

Not getting to know John Ondrasik through Glenn and Helen's podcast would be the real mistake.

Feb 16, 2007 06:08 PM

Mike C. :

Before today I'd bought exactly one CD in the last two years. I've heard 100 Years and Superman on the radio and really like the songs. I listened to this interview this morning. I was so impressed by Ondrasik that on the way home from work I stopped at the bookstore and purchased Two Lights and The Battle for Everything. Oh, and Mark Steyn's America Alone.

Feb 16, 2007 08:41 PM


	Found in: Glenn & Helen Show ; Podcast February 14, 2007 5:59 PM The Glenn and Helen Show: Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik on War, Peace, and Music John Ondrasik is Five for Fighting. Unless you’ve been living in a cave in Waziristan, you’ve heard his songs like 100 Years, Superman, and The Riddle. But the title cut to his latest album, Two Lights, turns out to come from a lunch with none other than blogosphere fave Victor Davis Hanson. We talk to Ondrasik about politics in the music business, what drives his songwriting, what aspiring musicians should do to make it, and more — including his new web-video-based viral charity enterprise, What Kind of World Do You Want? (Hear his music on iTunes here.) Music is by Five for Fighting. This podcast is sponsored by Volvo USA. Listen to this podcast (30:17) or download (18.2 MB) The Glenn and Helen Show: Five for Fighting’s John Ondraisik on War, Peace, and Music (lofi version 5.5 MB). Free show subscription available at iTunes. The Glenn and Helen Show: Five for Fighting’s John Ondraisik on War, Peace, and Music ——— Return to Pajamas Media homepage digg this del.icio.us comment email print x Email this link to: Your email address: Message (optional): Comments (9) Chris Behrens : I love VDH AND Ondrasik! Classical history and great tunes! Feb 15, 2007 08:07 AM tom scott : I bought the Two Lights CD based on the Dr Helen review. Now I'm ready to go out and buy the CD with "Superman" on it. Great interview Feb 15, 2007 08:24 AM Matt : excellent, well thought out interview. John Ondrasik is obviously a very intelligent person. Not just because he is ideologically similar but because he thinks out issues. I am definitely buying his new album. I've always loved his songs. In fact, bought his first album. Now, I understand why his songs are so intelligent. Matt Feb 15, 2007 08:36 AM Eric Shirley : God Bless Mr. Ondrasik. His song 100 years makes me cry, especially since I just turned 40! Eric Feb 15, 2007 08:41 AM Phil : Wow, was I impressed by how well grounded this guy is. I've heard "100 Years" and "Superman" and never gave them much thought. Never even knew the names of those songs, I just recognized them when I've heard them. It's a prejudice I've developed against that vocal style, because I associate it with what I call "whiner rock" (think "Isn't it Ironic" et. al). Not trying to diss him here - it's not bad in and of itself - I'm just illustrating my prejudice. I should know better after being a music fan for... well all my life. After listening to this interview I'm eager to listen again (and more closely) to those songs and the rest of his stuff. May have to move him into the Ben Folds category -- another guy I learned to like when I forced myself to get past initial impressions. Thanks for the interview! Feb 15, 2007 12:51 PM Ron : A reasoned world view actually has a soundtrack. I never knew. Feb 15, 2007 01:40 PM Bryan Pick : Excellent interview, Glenn and Helen. John has a great attitude. Feb 15, 2007 05:35 PM BrianNYC : Wow, John Ondrasik proves John Wilkes Booth wrong when that assassin once said something like, "artists are to be seen, not known." Not getting to know John Ondrasik through Glenn and Helen's podcast would be the real mistake. Feb 16, 2007 06:08 PM Mike C. : Before today I'd bought exactly one CD in the last two years. I've heard 100 Years and Superman on the radio and really like the songs. I listened to this interview this morning. I was so impressed by Ondrasik that on the way home from work I stopped at the bookstore and purchased Two Lights and The Battle for Everything. Oh, and Mark Steyn's America Alone. Feb 16, 2007 08:41 PM Comments have been archived for this page.	Election Central Issues Central Media Central Freeranger Central Glenn & Helen Show The Sanity Squad Pajamas Media Politics @Squidoo Support Pajamas Media; Visit Our Advertisers RSS Feeds RSS \| Atom Pajamas Media Ethically Speaking: Should You Vacation in Burma? Critics Miss Benefits of ‘No Child Left Behind’ The Singing Revolution Against the Evil Empire How Iran Is Killing U.S. Troops in Iraq Backlash Against Media Smears in the Heartland Golden State Gay Marriage Ban Struck Down McCain’s Vision of America in 2013 Dueling Steves: Steve Schmidt [VIDEO] Support Pajamas Media; Visit Our Advertisers Suggestion Box Subject: Message:

The Glenn and Helen Show: Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik on War, Peace, and Music