Five for Fighting's Super-man, John Ondrasik

By Jenna Bensoussan

What was your goal or dream when you first started out? Have you achieved it yet? Has the dream changed at all? Ever since I was a child I aspired to make a living as a singer-songwriter. To achieve the ever-elusive record deal, hear my song on the radio, play for a house full of people—these were dreams that took 15 years to realize. Though having a small amount of commercial success can remove certain thorns, I continue to move the goalposts and struggle to keep things in perspective. Having a family tends to filter the more selfish aspects of the biz, and I am a fortunate son to have had the run I've had.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life, musically and/or generally? I would have to say my Father. His work ethic and basic decency continues to astound me. My mom was a musician so she understands the struggle. I'd also have to mention my children, who at this stage of my life, inspire beyond words.

Truth time: Worst show you have performed. Well, I just took a swan dive off the piano in D.C., but I'd have to say the show itself was a decent night. I had to do Regis and Kelly one morning with laryngitis, I could barely talk, and singing “100 Years” was a joke...But the show went on...

Best show you have performed? I'd probably say getting through “Superman” at the concert in NY was the hardest thing I've done. Considering the emotion, pressure and technical problems we suffered that night, I was proud just to get the song out. I always tell younger kids, if you have the courage to take the stage, you've already won no matter the performance or results...The worst singer-songwriter singing one's song to an audience has more balls than the most darling of critics...

Your music is very personal. What is the most difficult song you have written, and why? “The Riddle” took 18 months to write. Serves me for taking on that subject matter...It took a while to figure out it was a father/son love song. Once I realized that it came together...It's amazing (and frustrating) how some songs come in an afternoon and others can take eons.

Have you ever abandoned a song, because the emotion was too personal? Good question—I do think you have to be careful of turning experience, especially tragedy, into a mere material source. I debated that with the content of Policeman's Xmas Party, but due to the outcome, I was comfortable writing about that dark reality.

Performing at the post-9/11 concert, with artists like Mick Jagger, Elton John and Paul McCartney, must have been an amazing experience. Were you able to appreciate the time you were there, with the 'music greats', or was the focus more on the people, and the tragedy? Any other night it would have been beyond a dream come true. It seemed every living influence of mine was on that stage. That evening though, such hero-worship seemed trivial in meeting the families of those who lost dads, and the true heroes who showed us the finer side of the human heart.

What is your most treasured music moment? Why? I can't imagine anything being more humbling than the Concert from NY.

People seem to relate to your songs in a very powerful way. Have you ever known a song was 'inspirational' when you were writing it, or has your connection always been a purely personal one? I can sense what songs may connect on certain levels. Many of these songs are reminders to me, like “100 Years”, and spring from failings in my own character to achieve the sentiment I'm singing about. Still, the beauty of music is that people make songs their own, often with no connection to my intention. That's how it should be whether I'm singing about riddles or 65 Mustangs.

Your website says that "Two Lights" was partly inspired by conversations you had with ordinary Americans. Tell me about some of the more memorable conversations you had. Yes, the song “Two Lights” was inspired by a conversation with a Vietnam vet and his son who was going back to Iraq for his second tour. It illuminated to me the sacrifice families make for our way of life. “I Just Love You” and “Road to Heaven” came right out of the mouths of my kids, literally. In doing research for “Freedom Never Cries” I spoke to many people, though the dinner with Tom Ridge was especially memorable due to his experience as head of Homeland Security.

The future for the band? The only thing that is certain about the future is its uncertainty...