The band originated with vocalist Stephen Holt (vocals) and guitarist Graham Lambert. Another uncredited founding member, was basist Glenn Chesworth. His partnership with the band lasted only a couple of years. The band emerged alongside The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays from the indie scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bassist, Martyn Walsh, and drummer, Craig Gill, joined in 1984. Playing garage rock, they were joined by keyboardist, Clint Boon, who changed their sound based around harmonic (and often psychedelic) keyboards and jangly guitars.
After a couple of singles on a local indie label, Holt left the group and was replaced by Tom Hingley. The band were propelled to fame after being 'discovered' by the Radio 1 DJ John Peel and had their greatest chart success in the UK with a single entitled This is How it Feels, which is a song about loneliness and unemployment.
At the time of their initial success, the band earned some notoriety for their squiggly-eyed cow 'Cool as Fuck' T-shirts; a student at Oxford Polytechnic was prosecuted on obscenity charges for wearing one. One of their roadies, Noel Gallagher, went on to great success with the band Oasis. The band is named after an Inspiral Carpets tour poster which included the venue Swindon Oasis.
They reworked their single Find Out Why as the theme tune to early 90's kids TV show 'The 8:15 From Manchester'. Another release I Want You was used by Sony to advertise their in-car entertainment systems on this advert ; an early example of advertising agencies co-opting and promoting non-mainstream music to add kudos to mainstream brands (a trend that has increased significantly).
After the release of their 4th studio album, Devil Hopping, they started to record new, more darker-sounding demos in 1995 which their label, Mute Records rejected. An amicable split followed but they re-formed in 2003 for a tour and new compilation. For the next several years, they played gigs on and off, until Hingley could no longer give his 100% commitment so original vocalist, Stephen Holt, rejoined in March 2011.
Real Thing
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Search and search with no success, nightmares return each day
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
YOU KEEP ME WAITING (YOU KEEP ME WAITING)
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
YOU KEEP ME ASKING FOR MORE
Find the truth about it funny, find it so hard to take
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
YOU KEEP ME WAITING (YOU KEEP ME WAITING)
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
YOU KEEP ME ASKING FOR MORE
We play those games too often, we play out strangers in the bed
You search for something different, put the gun right to my head
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
YOU KEEP ME WAITING (YOU KEEP ME WAITING)
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
YOU KEEP ME ASKING FOR MORE
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
YOU KEEP ME WAITING (YOU KEEP ME WAITING)
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
YOU KEEP ME ASKING FOR MORE
(REAL THING) YOU ARE THE REAL THING (X4)
The song "Real Thing" by Inspiral Carpets appears to be about a tumultuous, possibly dysfunctional relationship. The first verse suggests that someone is leaving without leaving any indication of where they are going. The chorus adds an interesting twist, with someone proclaiming that the person they are addressing is the real thing, yet keeping them waiting and asking for more. There is a disconnect between what is being said and what is being done, leaving the listener wondering if this person is as genuine as they claim to be.
The second verse adds more layers to this idea, with mention of laughing at what was said behind someone's back, perhaps indicating that this person is either deceitful or manipulative. The third verse mentions playing games and searching for something different, with the disturbing line "put the gun right to my head." This could be taken literally, indicating some sort of violent behavior, or figuratively, as in someone figuratively holding this person hostage in the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a complicated and possibly unhealthy relationship, with someone who is inconsistent in their actions and possibly emotionally unstable.
Line by Line Meaning
One day soon you'll find me gone, have no idea of where I am
I will disappear without a trace and you will have no clue of my whereabouts.
Search and search with no success, nightmares return each day
Even after trying your best to find me, you'll be left with nothing but bad dreams.
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
You are authentic and genuine.
YOU KEEP ME WAITING (YOU KEEP ME WAITING)
You make me anticipate patiently.
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
You are authentic and genuine.
YOU KEEP ME ASKING FOR MORE
You keep me curious and wanting more.
Then you'll find me laughing at what you said behind their backs
When you talk about other people, I'll find it amusing.
Find the truth about it funny, find it so hard to take
It's both funny and difficult for me to accept the truth.
We play those games too often, we play out strangers in the bed
We engage in these relationship games too much and pretend to be strangers in bed.
You search for something different, put the gun right to my head
You look for something new and exciting, which puts immense pressure on me.
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
You are authentic and genuine.
YOU KEEP ME WAITING (YOU KEEP ME WAITING)
You make me anticipate patiently.
YOU ARE THE REAL THING (YOU ARE THE REAL THING)
You are authentic and genuine.
YOU KEEP ME ASKING FOR MORE
You keep me curious and wanting more.
(REAL THING) YOU ARE THE REAL THING (X4)
You are truly the real thing.
Contributed by Sophie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.