After cracking the Top 10 of the iTunes dance charts in 15 countries with the release, "A Real Hero", featured on Nicolas Winding Refn's hit film 'Drive,' the Toronto-based electronic pop duo Electric Youth stepped back to take time to work on a full-length album. Since then, the duo signed to Secretly Canadian and "A Real Hero" has gained over 18 million plays on YouTube. Austin Garrick, the band's instrumentalist, alongside vocalist Bronwyn Griffin, says of working on their debut, 'Innerworld' (out Sept. 30), "We wanted to make something that had the sense of being timeless. Our ultimate goal is to make a record that will be the favorite album of people that aren't born yet."
Recording took place between the duo's Toronto studio and their home studio in LA. Each space served its different purpose - in Toronto Austin was able deploy his extensive vintage synth collection, making up what he estimates is 80% of analog sounds on the album. In LA, the pair recorded Bronwyn's vocals, of which they share writing duties for -- in their space-- which includes a film projection room. Fritz Lang's boundary-breaking twenties classic 'Metropolis,' among other films played throughout the making of the record, inspired the eleven original tracks of 'Innerworld.' Peter Jackson's 'Heavenly Creatures' inspired their song "Runaway," while other films such as 'City of God,' 'After Hours,' 'Videodrome,' and more, influenced their recordings, where soundscapes bleed into vocals and songs take you on journeys into roads unexplored. 'Innerworld' also features a stark analog synth cover of John McGlynn's "If All She Has Is You."
Singles/EPs/LPs:
Right Back To You (2011)
The Best Thing (2012)
Innerworld (2014)
A Real Hero
Electric Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back against the wall at odds
With the strength of a will and a cause
Your pursuits are called outstanding
You're emotionally complex
Against the grain of dystopic claims
And you have proved to be
A real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being (being, being, being, being, being)
A pilot on a cold, cold morn'
One-hundred fifty-five people on board
All safe and all rescued
From the slowly sinking ship
Water warmer than his head so cool
In that tight bind knew what to do
And you have proved to be
A real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being
Real human being (being, being, being, being, being)
Real human being
"A Real Hero," by Electric Youth, is a song that celebrates action over thought and the ability to stay true to oneself in the face of a dystopian reality. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is fighting against the odds, with their back against the wall, by using their strength of will and purpose. The person is emotionally complex, but they have pursuits that are outstanding. The song speaks to the idea that in a world where we are constantly bombarded by negative thoughts and dystopic ideas, it takes a real hero to choose to act on those thoughts, pursue those dreams and fight back against adversity.
The song continues with a story of a pilot on a cold morning, with 155 people on board, whose quick thinking and actions rescued everyone from a slowly sinking ship. The lyrics describe how the water was warmer than his head, yet he knew exactly what to do. With this story, the song emphasizes the importance of being brave, regardless of the situation or circumstances. The pilot becomes a symbol of what it means to be a real hero, someone who is willing to step up and face whatever challenge comes their way, no matter how difficult or dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
Real human being and a real hero (hero, hero, hero, hero, hero)
You are not just a character in a story or a picture-perfect idol, but a person with flaws and struggles who still manages to do amazing things.
Back against the wall at odds
You often find yourself in difficult situations where it seems like there's no way out.
With the strength of a will and a cause
Despite these challenges, you have the determination and drive to keep going and fight for what you believe in.
Your pursuits are called outstanding
The things you have accomplished in your life are truly remarkable and worthy of recognition.
You're emotionally complex
You have a depth of feeling and a complexity of character that makes you more than just a one-dimensional hero.
Against the grain of dystopic claims
You resist the negative and pessimistic views of the world and instead strive for a better future.
Not the thoughts your actions entertain
Your actions demonstrate a positive outlook and hopeful vision for the future that goes against the cynical thoughts of others.
And you have proved to be...
Through your actions and accomplishments, you have demonstrated that you truly are...
A real human being and a real hero
...a person with flaws and strengths who does incredible things and inspires others.
A pilot on a cold, cold morn'
This line describes a specific example of a heroic act: a pilot who faced a difficult situation and managed to save the lives of many people.
One-hundred fifty-five people on board
The pilot was responsible for the lives of a large number of passengers and crew members.
All safe and all rescued
Thanks to the pilot's bravery and skill, everyone on the plane was saved.
From the slowly sinking ship
This line is likely a mistake in the lyrics, as it doesn't fit the narrative of the song. It seems to describe a ship instead of a plane.
Water warmer than his head so cool
This phrase describes the challenging circumstances the pilot faced — the water was warmer than the cold morning air, so the situation must have been dire.
In that tight bind knew what to do
Despite the difficult circumstances, the pilot remained calm and focused, and was able to make the right decisions.
Real human being (being, being, being, being, being)
This line is a repetition of the earlier refrain, emphasizing the idea that heroes are not just fictional characters, but real people who can inspire us all.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Austin Roy Garrick, Bronwyn Patricia Griffin, David Jacques Denis Bruno Grellier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tom Ferraro
wonderful song which i heard in the film masterpiece Drive with Ryan Gosling Gosling will become one of the world's great actors what does this song reference ??
@mrone7488
Real human being
And a real hero
Back against the wall and odds
With the strength of a will and a cause
Your pursuits are called outstanding
You’re emotionally complex
Against the grain of dystopic claims
Not the thoughts your actions entertain
And you have proved to be
A real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being
A pilot on a cold, cold morn'
One-hundred fifty-five people on board
All safe and all rescued
From the slowly sinking ship
Water warmer than, his head so cool
In that tight bind knew what to do
And you have proved to be
A real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being
Real human being
Real human being
@alienreggaeradio
"Real human being
And a real hero
Back against the wall and odds
With the strength of a will and a cause
Your pursuits are called outstanding
Your emotionally complex
Against the grain of dystopic claims
Not the thoughts your actions entertain
And you have proved to be
A real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being
A pilot on a cold, cold morn'
One-hundred fifty-five people on board
All safe and all rescued
From the slowly sinking ship
Water warmer than, his head so cool
In that tight bind knew what to do
And you have proved to be
A real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being and a real hero
Real human being
Real human being
Real human being"
@emmanuelwu8204
Randomly watched drive on Netflix without knowing it has one of the most bomb ass soundtracks in cinematic history
@Schaufelor
Better late than never bro.
@xxjulian7392zz
Yea, my father recommended it. A great film!
@bricktop2393
Hell yeah man! I fell in love with it the year it came out. Great seeing people find it now!! A real hero will be our walking down the aisle wedding song.
@guidocane
Me as well
@ethantyler8325
l8r btw l8r 5 minutes ;8r
@karmah5874
Drive was one of those movies where I wish I can go back and watch it for the first time again.
@Recklessyettie
I love that movie more than my Ex-Wife!
@mercut10
Rewatches are fantastic nonetheless