Movies

Alex Warren has a chart-topping hit with ‘Ordinary.’ So why is he his own ‘No. 1 hater’?

BBG News

Among all the potential summer anthems competing for the title, Alex Warren‘s “Ordinary” could be the least expected: A bleak and introspective ballad rich in vivid religious symbolism – “Crush me with your touch / Oh God, turn me to ashes,” is one example – it revolves around a man searching for a unique blend of physical and spiritual satisfaction, a theme not commonly associated with beach parties or barbecues.

For over a month now, I’ve been sitting comfortably at the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, and it doesn’t seem like I’ll be budging anytime soon. This is more than double the time that Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” held the position, to give you an idea of how long I’ve been reigning supreme. Interestingly enough, even Drake, who posted a screenshot of the current chart on Instagram, showing his song “What Did I Miss?” in second place behind mine, seems to be acknowledging this fact with a reassuring message: “I’m taking that soon, don’t worry,” he wrote. It appears my melody is captivating hearts and ears for now!

The melancholic atmosphere of “Ordinary” stands out even more when considering Warren’s background. At just 9 years old, he lost his father and was raised by a single mother, whom he described as abusive and an alcoholic, in Carlsbad. However, Warren gained fame initially as one of the founding members of Hype House, a group of TikTok creators who produced light-hearted, fun content from a rented mansion in Los Angeles during the early 2020s. Now, five years later, Warren continues to use his TikTok account (with 18.8 million followers), but he primarily uses it to draw attention to his music. This music often captures the somber style of early Sam Smith and the polished sounds of Imagine Dragons, with help from his wife, fellow influencer Kouvr Annon.

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This upcoming Friday, I’ll be unveiling my first full-length album, titled “You’ll Be Alright, Kid.” It boasts collaborations with Blackpink’s Rosé and Jelly Roll, who graced the Stagecoach festival stage with me in April to perform “Ordinary” and debut our duet, “Bloodline.” As I chat in Los Angeles, recently returned from my abode in Nashville, I find myself exchanging texts with fellow musician Teddy Swims. We live quite near Jelly Roll in Music City. “I was just texting Teddy,” I share as we settle down. “Turns out, I bought the last go-kart in Tennessee while he was trying to do the same!” These are snippets from our conversation.

The song seems to reflect your identity as a Christian, yet it carries an almost blasphemous tone.

In my perspective, the allure of the song lies in its profound sensuality, vividly captured in a line such as “You’ve got me worshipping on the ground of your sanctuary.” This is more than just expressing love; it’s an intimate and unique portrayal of my partner. It’s not about saying she’s my everything or my world; those have been said countless times before. Instead, I sought to create something fresh — a sound reminiscent of Hozier perhaps. I drew from the deep connection I share with my wife and my faith, two powerful influences in my life that are intertwined in an intricate dance.

In various interpretations, the tune has sparked diverse reactions from Christians, ranging from strong disapproval such as “I can’t stand this artist” to those who perceive it as an overly devout Christian piece and dislike it as well. Regardless of the criticism I receive, I must learn to accept it all.

Although your unique life experiences have undeniably influenced the music you create, many listeners are discovering “Ordinary” without knowing your personal background. On the other hand, the song I’ve been hinting at [“Eternity”] deals with grief, and some find it fitting for their weddings, which is quite intriguing. This phenomenon brings to mind Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved,” where people perceived it as a breakup record, while in reality, it was inspired by his grandmother’s passing.

Do you appreciate Peter Capaldi’s work?

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You have an unusual voice.
Thank you — I think?

Is it striking to you that the depth of this voice stands out among current pop music?

I went back and looked at the series Netflix made about Hype House.
I’m so sorry.

I’ve noticed some changes in your weight, and it made me curious about how working in a visual field since you were young influenced your thoughts on food and fitness. Could you share more about that?

Despite the adoration from thousands on TikTok and initial negativity on Twitter, it can still leave an impact. For instance, if you examine my TikTok comments, there’s a sea of admiration. Yet, on Twitter, the first wave of comments might be harsh: “He’s so unattractive,” or “His nose is crooked.” Eventually, the positive feedback from a thousand fans can feel like a lie, and you wonder if those few critical voices are the ones telling the truth.

Seems quite gloomy. The job is peculiar, you know. On Saturday, I’ve got the Kids’ Choice Awards, and here I am, wondering if I should diet for the following days.

Are you generally satisfied with how you perceive your physical self?

[In response] Not particularly, if I’m looking in the mirror. However, when it comes to approving photos for public viewing, I don’t care much about it, so long as they go up, even with a double chin included.

Is it accurate to say that? Well, frankly, it doesn’t bother me since I believe people aren’t watching my videos for my looks. However, if I were slimmer, I might feel more content with how I appear. Yet, I remain indifferent because the songs are significant to me based on their meaning rather than my appearance. Moreover, it provides some flexibility when someone observes a mistake at In-N-Out.

What’s the special event that makes you get drunk once a year?
Well, this past year, I got completely smashed at Santa’s Pub in Nashville with Ed Sheeran. It was just me, Noah Kahan, and him. They had just finished playing something, and Ed offered me a drink. I thought if I’m going to get drunk this year, it might as well be with Ed Sheeran. So he gave me a Modelo, and before I knew it, I was flat on my back. He was already on his 11th drink by then! My wife had to drive me home after that.

I’ve been straying from the usual path a bit, but it’s always been beer for me – I never touch hard liquor. No judgment there, I just have a soft spot for Diet Coke instead. I do wish I enjoyed alcohol more.

Give it a try; it’s quite simple to grow.

In my song “The Outside,” I aimed to express the struggles individuals face in seeking happiness, success, and a deeper meaning in life, often turning towards spirituality or higher powers for solace. The composition portrays the journey of discovering one’s purpose.

She thought Hollywood was the city of angels, but her aspirations became entangled, reaching such heights she believed she encountered divinity.” (For the first verse)

“Struggling with the high cost of healthcare, I’ve seen friends who go without, despite their needs.” (For the second verse)

In Luigi Mangione’s situation, as we composed the song, he was dealing with stress due to financial burdens such as student loans and medical bills, causing his heart to race excessively.

In your composing process, did Luigi Mangione cross your mind? The second stanza is an explicit reference to him. On a more philosophical note, I express the importance of certain aspects of life – things that require payment and often drive people towards faith. The song concludes with me conversing with my father in heaven, hoping for a response from him. This song holds significant meaning for me.

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Your music is exceptionally organized, differing from the style often found in the Zach Bryan or Noah Kahan genre, where certain areas may be less polished, but the raw emotion compensates for that.

Are you wondering what drives me as a musician towards a cleaner approach? It’s because, in my line of work, I can’t afford to appear as though I’m making errors. Transitioning from TikTok to music, I find that it needs to be polished – it needs to impress with, “Wow, this guy can do this!” However, my upcoming album will have a rougher edge to it. I’m exploring new facets of my voice and have been delving into older music, which has been quite enriching.

Such as?
Hall & Oates — dude, “Rich Girl”? Billy Joel too.

Is there still an active group chat among the members of Hype House?
I’m part of a group chat with some of them, though not everyone. They are the ones who have gained popularity in music, you could say they were significant figures during my college years – a sort of substitute for the traditional campus experience. We often reminisce about it, sharing moments of both struggle and joy, as we look back on those times with a mix of nostalgia and reflection.

It’s unlikely that those in the house would have predicted you and Addison Rae to become musicians. While Addison was always popular and well-liked, even within the house, I wasn’t particularly favored by others.

Are you referring generally to the impact of the Netflix show on people, even though much of it was staged, it seems as if it has improved many lives, including mine.

Did you find it beneficial that the release of your music, which began in 2020 and continued into 2021, occurred after your influencer phase – providing some distinction between the two? Even though I had started my musical journey five years prior, many people were surprised and thought I emerged suddenly from nowhere due to my previous vlogging and influencing activities.

It wasn’t until after your stint as an influencer that people seemed to take notice – which could have worked out in your favor. To be honest, I’m not certain about the connection between you and the content house. In a peculiar twist of fate, it seems like luck was on your side. This thought crosses my mind frequently. My wife and I produced videos together, but we rarely collaborated with the content house. Remarkably, those videos found success in their own right, and many of my current fans were following me during that time, although not necessarily for the Hype House. In actuality, that’s not accurate.

It’s challenging to make assumptions about who might enjoy such a popular song, as I tend to focus on spreading the word about the music without considering its broad reach.

It’s clear you’re examining the figures. What I don’t get is the extent of this beyond the numbers. For instance, my Spotify listeners are said to be around 50 million – that’s impressive. However, I can’t grasp the magnitude. On a daily stroll, how many people have heard my song or even know who I am? I understand the song is popular, but I assume the album is more renowned than I am.

“It appears accurate.”

“I think it’s correct” or “That seems right to me”. As for the analogy with Lola Young and Benson Boone, they seem unrelated in this context. The age demographic isn’t specified either, but if you were to attend a bingo night, it might not be the best place to introduce yourself as a well-known figure since bingo nights are typically associated with older adults. However, it’s always possible that people of various ages might attend!

Are we talking about a bingo event tonight? I guess you get what I mean. The tune is currently number one on Hot AC, which stands for adult contemporary radio. It could be someone’s mom (or dad) who listens to this music, but it’s hard to say for sure. However, my songs often revolve around themes of passing away, and these topics tend to resonate more with people aged 40 and up. Younger folks might not connect with the record in the same way due to their different experiences with loss.

It’s quite amazing to consider that a considerable part of my audience consists of people who are twice my age. I find it particularly challenging to engage such an audience, so it’s quite impressive when it happens. After all, if you’re notable enough for your mother to recognize, then you must be doing something right, don’t you think?

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2025-07-17 13:33

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