The Real Thing
Bouchard Dunaway and Smith Lyrics

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Oh I'd work for you, I'd slave for you,
I'd be a beggar or a knave for you! (what is a knave anyway?)
If that isn't love it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along.

I'd gladly move the earth for you, (yeah I'm strong baby, plenty strong)
To prove my love and it's worth to you;
If that isn't love it'll have to do

Until the real thing comes along.

With all the words, dear, at my command,
I just can't make you understand;
I'll always love you darling, come what may,
My heart is yours, what more can I say? (what do you want me to do, rob a bank?)

(well listen, I tell ya)
I'd sigh for you, yeah, cry for you,
I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you!
If that isn't love, well skip it, it'll have to do,
Until the real thing comes along.

I'd sigh for you, die for you,
I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you!
If that isn't love, it'll have to do,

Until the real thing comes along.
9yeah, that's the real thing, so help me!)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bouchard Dunaway and Smith's The Real Thing convey a deep sense of devotion and commitment to a loved one. The singer makes it clear that they would do anything for this person, even if it means being a beggar or a knave for them. They express a willingness to move the earth itself to prove their love's worthiness, but they also seem to be struggling with the idea that their devotion may not be enough to satisfy their beloved until they find the "real thing", whatever that may be.

Throughout the song, the singer repeatedly declares their love and offers grand gestures to prove it, yet they also express frustration and uncertainty about their ability to convey the depth of their emotions. Despite all of this, they remain steadfast in their love, willing to do whatever it takes to prove their devotion, even if they never quite feel like it's enough.

Overall, the lyrics to The Real Thing are a powerful expression of the complexities of love, devotion, and the human desire to be truly understood by others.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh I'd work for you, I'd slave for you, I'd be a beggar or a knave for you! (what is a knave anyway?)
I would do anything for you, even work tirelessly or sacrifice my pride and reputation. A knave is a dishonest or unscrupulous person, which I would even be for you if necessary.

If that isn't love it'll have to do Until the real thing comes along.
Even if what I am doing is not true love, I am willing to settle for it until I find the genuine article.

I'd gladly move the earth for you, (yeah I'm strong baby, plenty strong) To prove my love and it's worth to you; If that isn't love it'll have to do Until the real thing comes along.
I am willing to go to great lengths and show immense strength to demonstrate my love and its value to you. If this is not true love, I will accept that until I find the authentic thing.

With all the words, dear, at my command, I just can't make you understand; I'll always love you darling, come what may, My heart is yours, what more can I say? (what do you want me to do, rob a bank?)
Despite my extensive vocabulary, I cannot find the words to make you comprehend my feelings. Regardless, I will always love you no matter what. My heart belongs to you, and I cannot express it any better than I already have.

(well listen, I tell ya) I'd sigh for you, yeah, cry for you, I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you! If that isn't love, well skip it, it'll have to do, Until the real thing comes along.
I would gladly express my adoration for you, even if it meant sighing or crying. I would do the impossible and pull down the stars just to make you happy. And even if this is not genuine love, I will accept it until the real thing comes along.

I'd sigh for you, die for you, I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you! If that isn't love, it'll have to do, Until the real thing comes along. 9yeah, that's the real thing, so help me!)
I would go to great lengths for you, even if it meant sacrificing my life. I would do anything to make you happy, even if it meant pulling down the stars. And even though this may not be true love, I am willing to settle for it until the real thing comes along. And when it does, I know it will be authentic and true.

Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC , Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALBERTA NICHOLS, L.E. FREEMAN, MANN HOLINER, SAMMY CAHN, SAUL CHAPLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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