What's Normal Anyway

Album: Wildheart (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This loner anthem was inspired by Miguel's middle years at school, when he was "too proper for the black kids" but "too black for the Mexicans."

    "I always stuck out like a f--king sore thumb," he told Spin. "Look at me, man. My name is Latin, but I'm obviously black too. And my eyes make me look Asian. I've always been creative, always dressed the way I wanted, always spoke properly… You know how middle school can be. It was like, 'What the f--k is he?'"
  • The song finds Miguel exploring his racial identity. "It was a challenge for people to understand. It was always a question of, 'What are you? Where do you come from?'" the black and Mexican singer told Billboard magazine. "And I guess it kind of rubs off on you... and you wonder, 'Who do I identify with more?' The ("Too proper for the black kids, too black for the Mexicans") opening line is kind of like the beginning - it was part of my personal journey."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.