The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
You danced and partied at the Mardi Gras
Threw back all the beads at the parade
Fake worlds and logos in the shopping mall
Where you came from
Everything seemed the same the whole world now
So you headed down south
Left your old home town
Relocated so far away from the real world
But where is the real world?
Get out of the bar
And follow the stars
Now you've relocated so far away from the real world
But where is the real world?
Ambitious eyes set firmly on the future
So keen to leave your old home town
But you're a lost soul looking for the
Great illusion in another state
You had to escape you know you just couldn't
Wait you thought the real world let you down.
So you headed down south left another home town
Now you don't have the time to think
Who's left behind in the real world
Watching game shows all day was no kind of deal
It all seemed oh so surreal
Had to break from the real world
But where is the real world?
One day you'll wake up and you will feel
"I am alive this is real"
Your friends came down to visit from all over
To see first hand the brand new start you made
But you were overqualified for the tips you
Earn in a bar
It won't work here and it didn't work there but
You tried it anyway
So head off in the car and follow the stars
There's someone waiting not far away
In the real world
Hope you get there this time
But just bear in mind
There's a lot of lost souls looking out
For a sign for the real world
But where is the real world?
One day you'll wake up and you will feel
"I am alive this is real"
Threw back all the beads at the parade
Fake worlds and logos in the shopping mall
Where you came from
Everything seemed the same the whole world now
So you headed down south
Left your old home town
Relocated so far away from the real world
But where is the real world?
Get out of the bar
And follow the stars
Now you've relocated so far away from the real world
But where is the real world?
Ambitious eyes set firmly on the future
So keen to leave your old home town
But you're a lost soul looking for the
Great illusion in another state
You had to escape you know you just couldn't
Wait you thought the real world let you down.
So you headed down south left another home town
Now you don't have the time to think
Who's left behind in the real world
Watching game shows all day was no kind of deal
It all seemed oh so surreal
Had to break from the real world
But where is the real world?
One day you'll wake up and you will feel
"I am alive this is real"
Your friends came down to visit from all over
To see first hand the brand new start you made
But you were overqualified for the tips you
Earn in a bar
It won't work here and it didn't work there but
You tried it anyway
So head off in the car and follow the stars
There's someone waiting not far away
In the real world
Hope you get there this time
But just bear in mind
There's a lot of lost souls looking out
For a sign for the real world
But where is the real world?
One day you'll wake up and you will feel
"I am alive this is real"
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Real World Lyrics as written by Ray Davies
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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