I saw the autumn leaves peel up off the street,
Take wing on the balmy breeze and sweep you off your feet.
And you blushed as they scooped you up on sugar maple wings,
To gaze down on the city below, ablaze with wondrous things.
Downy feathers kiss your face and flutter everywhere.
Reality is a lovely place but I wouldn't want to live there.
I wouldn't wanna live there.

Weighed down by heavy lids and lunar lullabies,
I knew you were wide awake because you smile with your eyes.
Downy feathers kiss your face and flutter everywhere.
Reality is a lovely place but I wouldn't want to live there.
From the green belt balcony, the wildfires look so pretty.
Ponderosa canopy, I'd never leave if it were up to me.
To the ruby redwood tree, and to the velvet climbing ivy:
Painted all mahogany, I'd never leave if it were up to me.

With a starry brush, paint the dusk Venetian blue,
Because in the evening hush, you'll never believe the view.
And when the leaves return and their whisperings fill the night,
They'll freeze and burn where fire and ice collide.
Where fire and ice collide.

Can you feel a silk embrace in the satin air?
If we dissolve without a trace, will the real world even care?
Downy feathers kiss your face and flutter everywhere.
Reality is a lovely place but I wouldn't want to live there.
I wouldn't want to live there.

I saw the autumn leaves peel up off the street,
Take wing on the balmy breeze and sweep you off your feet


Lyrics submitted by whcodered

The Real World Lyrics as written by Adam R. Young

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

The Real World song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    This song, and many others of Adam's can be interpreted so many different ways. That's why I love them. When I hear this song, I can think of multiple meanings.

    1: He's not actually in a different "World". He's just saying that he's different than everyone else, and sees everything differently. If he could choose to see things like everyone else would, he wouldn't.

    2: It could be that he feels like he's an another world when he's with the person that he's talking about in the song. He's saying that reality was nice, but now that he's seen this he would never want to go back.

    Sammykillon February 08, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think it's about people being so openly blind to the fact that lives are lost on a daily basis and no one really pays attention

    "Can you feel a silk embrace in the satin air? If we dissolve without a trace, will the real world even care?"

    Seems to say something similar to "Can you feel yourself leaving this world? Who do you think is going to notice that you're gone?"

    There's soldiers, friends, famous people, family members, all kinds of people who lose their lives on a daily basis, and no one really notices or pays attention to it

    Agumon1808on July 05, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I love when he says "Reality is a lovely place but I wouldn't want to live there." Because reality is never as great as your dreams but you have to be there, even if you dont want to.

    piecexoon July 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Isn't this song beautiful? Such a rare, unique, optimistic look at the world<3 This song is Adam's legacy. And I suspect his favorite.

    owlcityblog.com/2011/05/13/the-real-world/

    That, and Plant Life.

    oceanheart13on June 19, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it's a song about his inside world.

    I also believe the lines "If we dissolve without a trace, will the real world even care?" are sort of commenting on his sort of introverted-ness, like some people in the world wouldn't care if a person just disappeared forever because we're so caught up in everything.

    ViolaFanon June 20, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This switches off between him kind of wishing he'd stop daydreaming so much, yet still loving him and watching someone he loves.

    fl1ppyf1shon December 31, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I alway feel like this.
    Wisdom is perspective(Its true)

    skulptFireon April 15, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    You won't really understand this song unless you area Christian. He is singing from God's perspective.

    designgirlon February 13, 2014   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    i cant believe dat no one comment on dis song! OMG

    l0ve2kn0won June 19, 2011   Link
  • -4
    General Comment

    This is definitely not the real world by owl city

    lialollyon July 28, 2011   Link

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