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The Real Thing Lyrics
Amanda, I know what you're thinking,
You and I have much to say,
And you've been making me crazy,
Trying to understand
But it's impossible at your age.
I know I said I'll always try,
But you're going to bed alone again tonight,
And you lie there in the dark and wonder why.
I did it for you, and the boys,
Because love should teach you joy,
And not the imitation,
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
I did it for you, and for me,
And because I still believe,
There's only one thing,
You can never give up,
Never compromise on,
And that's the real thing you need in love.
You're so afraid your life is over,
And nothing I can say can change your mind.
How can anybody be so selfish,
And treat you all so cruel,
Go on and scream at me and cry.
I'll always hold you in my soul,
And I'm never going to leave you all alone
But your daddy doesn't live here anymore.
I did it for you, and the boys,
Because love should teach you joy,
And not the imitation,
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
I did it for you, and for me,
And because I still believe,
There's only one thing,
That you can never give up,
Never compromise on,
And that's the real thing you need in love.
Everybody's got a boat upon the ocean,
Not everybody's sailing out to sea,
And is there someone there for me?
I'm ready to believe.
I did it for you, and the boys,
Because love should teach you joy,
And not the imitation,
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
I did it for you, and for me,
And because I still believe,
There's only one thing,
That you can never give up,
Never compromise on,
And that's the real thing you need in love.
You and I have much to say,
And you've been making me crazy,
Trying to understand
But it's impossible at your age.
But you're going to bed alone again tonight,
And you lie there in the dark and wonder why.
Because love should teach you joy,
And not the imitation,
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
I did it for you, and for me,
And because I still believe,
There's only one thing,
You can never give up,
Never compromise on,
And that's the real thing you need in love.
And nothing I can say can change your mind.
How can anybody be so selfish,
And treat you all so cruel,
Go on and scream at me and cry.
I'll always hold you in my soul,
And I'm never going to leave you all alone
But your daddy doesn't live here anymore.
Because love should teach you joy,
And not the imitation,
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
I did it for you, and for me,
And because I still believe,
There's only one thing,
That you can never give up,
Never compromise on,
And that's the real thing you need in love.
Not everybody's sailing out to sea,
And is there someone there for me?
I'm ready to believe.
Because love should teach you joy,
And not the imitation,
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
I did it for you, and for me,
And because I still believe,
There's only one thing,
That you can never give up,
Never compromise on,
And that's the real thing you need in love.
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It's a song about explaining to his young daughter why her parents divorced. Beautiful song
The real thing seems so hard to find. But it's right times in front of you, if you only look into his eyes.
Don't settle for less than the real thing that is love. It's always in your soul.
"The woman screamed at me and cried..." Where does this fit in the rest of the lyrics, which are largely in the form of an intimate conversation with the singer's child about divorce?
The entire stanza seems to lose some focus, with "How could anybody be so selfish, and treat you all so cruel?" That sounds like the father imagining Amanda's voice, but could be read as the father sniping at her mother too.
I love the song because it deals with the effects of divorce on children, but wish this stanza were clearer. Then Loggins goes straight away to the line that really troubles me.
Does anyone share my confusion?
@Shadow77 The lyrics were incorrect. I have submitted the correct lyrics. It isn't "The woman scream at me and cried." The lyrics are, "Go on and scream at me and cry." He is telling Amanda that he knows she is very upset at him, and to let it all out.
@Shadow77 The lyrics were incorrect. I have submitted the correct lyrics. It isn't "The woman scream at me and cried." The lyrics are, "Go on and scream at me and cry." He is telling Amanda that he knows she is very upset at him, and to let it all out.
@Shadow77 The lyrics were incorrect. I have submitted the correct lyrics. It isn't "The woman scream at me and cried." The lyrics are, "Go on and scream at me and cry." He is telling Amanda that he knows she is very upset at him, and to let it all out.
@Shadow77 The lyrics were incorrect. I have submitted the correct lyrics. It isn't "The woman scream at me and cried." The lyrics are, "Go on and scream at me and cry." He is telling Amanda that he knows she is very upset at him, and to let it all out.
The line "How could anybody be so selfish, and treat you all so cruel?" fits with the song, especially the very first line of it; he knows what Amanda is thinking. He knows that she thinks he is being selfish and being cruel to her...
The line "How could anybody be so selfish, and treat you all so cruel?" fits with the song, especially the very first line of it; he knows what Amanda is thinking. He knows that she thinks he is being selfish and being cruel to her and her brothers. But he is trying to explain to her that the relationship he has with their mother is over and isn't loving anymore. He wants them to know what love truly is, and what he and the mother have isn't love.
I think the lyrics are misquoted here. “The woman screamed and cried at me” should read “Go on and scream and cry at me.” \n(Other lyrics apps show the correct wording.) \nFYI : Amanda goes by Isabella and was 16 / 17 years old when her dad divorced her mom.