Real Life
Corporation of One Lyrics

Paula came from Washington with long golden hair
Paula is a woman from Washington who has long, blonde hair and is traveling with a fake silk purse containing $28 and wearing a leather skirt.

Twenty eight dollars in a fake silk purse and a leather skirt to wear
Paula brought a fake silk purse containing $28 and is wearing a leather skirt.

Shane came from Dublin town from the old world so green
Shane is a man from Dublin town in Ireland, which is referred to as the 'old world' and is known for being a green place.

Counterfeit ticket in to JFK in the land of his dreams
Shane entered JFK airport with a fake ticket, as he dreamed of traveling to the US.

Street life's the only life they take a walk in the park
Paula and Shane are living on the streets and walking through a park.

Even tiugh they only met that day they were lovers by dark
Despite only meeting that day, Paula and Shane quickly became romantically involved.

Laid out on the morning skies he puts a ring on her hand
The next morning, Shane proposes to Paula by giving her a ring.

He said listen babe we gotta take what's ours do it or die
Shane tells Paula that they need to take what they want by any means necessary.

Quit dreaming, this is real life baby
The chorus tells listeners to stop dreaming and remember that real life can be harsh.

Real life's the only life what's it all about
The chorus implies that real life is the only thing that matters.

Way out on the dock that night, the colour is red
The song shifts to another scene where something violent has occurred and the color red is symbolic of danger and death.

23rd victim of a gangland war takes his last breath
Someone was the 23rd victim of a gang war and is dying.

Outside the sister cried, she said the whole world's so mean
The victim's sister is crying and laments how cruel the world can be.

Heavyweight killer in the ring, turns killing machine
The next line seems to be a transition, implying that the killer from the previous scene is like a heavyweight fighter in a ring and has become a ruthless 'killing machine'.

All my love, you're my all
The song returns to Shane and Paula, with Shane telling her that she is everything to him.

They way you move, you're in control
Shane admires how Paula carries herself and is in control of her actions.

The way you talk, the way you dress
Shane loves Paula's style and the way she speaks.

Your hands, your touch, your sweet caress.
Shane loves everything about Paula, including her touch and affection.

Quit dreaming, this is cheap life baby
The chorus changes slightly, telling people to stop dreaming of an easy life and face reality.

Up high above a desert sky where the space shuttles scream
The song takes another abrupt shift, this time describing a scene where space shuttles are flying high above a desert sky and making loud noises.

Sixteen men from a dying earth take their last dream.
Sixteen men representing a dying planet take a final dream in space.

Your eyes, your lips, the shape of your mouth
The song returns to Shane and Paula, with Shane complimenting Paula's eyes, lips, and mouth.

It's a sweet life baby
Despite the harsh realities of life, Shane believes that life is still sweet because he has Paula.

All my love, you're all I see
Paula is the only thing that Shane sees or cares about.

The stars, the sun, the energy,
Shane appreciates everything about the universe and sees Paula as part of that energy.

The way you move, you're in control
Shane continues to praise how Paula carries herself and takes charge of her life.

Quit dreaming this is real life baby
The chorus repeats again to drive home the message that real life can be brutal and unforgiving.