We Are Real
Silver Jews Lyrics
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and I will see you soon my friend if these old directions still direct.
Is the problem that we can't see or is it that the problem is beautiful to me?
The birds of Virginia are flying within you
and like background singers they all come in threes.
Won't soul music change
now that our souls have turned strange.
Once a day, twice a day…
And when on and off collide
we'll set our souls aside and walk away.
We've been raised on replicas of fake and winding roads
and day after day up on this beautiful stage
we've been playing tambourine for minimum wage
but we are real, I know we are real.
My ski vest has buttons like convenience store mirrors
and they help me see, that everything in this room right now is a part of me.
Won't soul music change
now that our souls have turned strange.
Once a day, twice a day…
And when on and off collide
we'll set our souls aside and walk away.
Realizing is how it feels inside when it happens to you.
So I took a shot of sugar like snow dumped into the blood
and children wander off into the ultra-economic
but we are real I know we are real.
The lyrics of Silver Jews' song We Are Real seemingly describe a journey to a specific location. The singer gives directions, telling the listener to go up the hill and make a left at the stone wall to meet them. However, there is an emphasis on the possibility of the directions being outdated or incorrect, highlighting a sense of uncertainty and a lack of control. This theme of uncertainty carries over to the second verse where the singer questions whether the problem lies in their own perception, wondering if they can't see the issue or if the problem itself is something beautiful. The imagery of birds of Virginia flying within the listener is introduced, which the singer likens to background singers that come in threes.
The chorus of the song reflects on the changes that have occurred in the soul music genre, most likely implying that it has lost its authenticity due to our souls being "strange." However, the singer notes that despite this, they are real, emphasizing the authenticity of their existence. The verse following the chorus seems to comment on the experiences of life and how we are shaped by the world around us. The singer describes their ski vest, noting that it has buttons like convenience store mirrors that help them see everything in the room as a part of themselves.
The final lines of the song describe a shot of sugar as a metaphor for a sudden realization, where children wander off into an "ultra-economic" world. However, the singer reassures the listener that despite this, they are real.
Line by Line Meaning
Up the hill past 694, at the stone wall make a left,
Follow these directions and we will meet again.
and I will see you soon my friend if these old directions still direct.
The directions may be outdated, but we will see each other again.
Is the problem that we can't see or is it that the problem is beautiful to me?
Are we overlooking issues or are we finding beauty in them?
The birds of Virginia are flying within you
Nature is a part of us and influences our being.
and like background singers they all come in threes.
Nature's influences come in subtle yet connected ways.
Won't soul music change
Will our spiritual expression adapt to our changing selves?
now that our souls have turned strange.
As we evolve, will our souls remain familiar or become unfamiliar?
Once a day, twice a day…
Our routine actions don't define our true selves.
And when on and off collide
When contradictions arise,
we'll set our souls aside and walk away.
We'll let go of our spiritual selves to move on.
We've been raised on replicas of fake and winding roads
Our lives have been shaped by fake and misleading experiences.
and day after day up on this beautiful stage
Our lives are like a spectacle to be observed.
we've been playing tambourine for minimum wage
Our spiritual efforts are undervalued and underappreciated.
but we are real, I know we are real.
Despite societal pressures, we know our true selves are genuine.
My ski vest has buttons like convenience store mirrors
Every detail around us reflects a part of ourselves.
and they help me see, that everything in this room right now is a part of me.
We are not separate from our environment; it's a part of us.
Realizing is how it feels inside when it happens to you.
When we become aware of something, we feel it deeply.
So I took a shot of sugar like snow dumped into the blood
We seek pleasures to distract us from reality.
and children wander off into the ultra-economic
We are consumed by capitalism and materialism.
but we are real I know we are real.
Despite external pressures, our inner selves remain authentic.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind