The Real Thing Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Shadow77 

Cover art for The Real Thing lyrics by Kenny Loggins

"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.

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...