Joydrop was a Canadian rock band in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The ban… Read Full Bio ↴Joydrop was a Canadian rock band in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The band consisted of vocalist Tara Slone, guitarist Thomas Payne, bassist Tom McKay and drummer Tony Rabalao.

The band released two CDs, Metasexual and Viberate, and had notable chart hits in Canada with "Beautiful" and "Sometimes Wanna Die".

Following the band's breakup, Slone released a solo album, and was a contestant on Rock Star: INXS. Tony Rabalao also went solo and put out a CD under the name Lehlo but plays in Tara's band as well. Tom McKay is a producer and worked on Tara's and Tony's CDs. Thomas Payne is writing and producing with other artists.

This is Not Real
Joydrop Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Every single day I watch the dead parade
The TV's on like opium
Superstars are raging
Stupid, loud and highly engaging
There goes the gravy train

The day changes, a million faces line up
To star in this over rated dream

Or so it seems

This is not real, will not last, does not feel
Like the touch of a glorious life
This is the worst kind of wasted
'Cause now you're standing here
Wondering why you sold yourself

More frequently I'm scared by what I see
The media beautifies, calculates and lies
The mindless becomes free

Flies in the face of someone else's misery
Laughs at the insanity

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joydrop's song This Is Not Real provide a poignant commentary on the state of modern society, particularly the relationship between the media and the public. They describe watching the "dead parade" of celebrities and reality TV stars, who are like a drug or opium to those who consume them. Despite being loud and engaging, they are ultimately shallow and transitory, the embodiment of the "gravy train" that keeps churning out more and more empty entertainment.

The song goes on to describe how people line up every day to participate in this "overrated dream" of fame and success, which ultimately proves to be a kind of wasted opportunity. The chorus repeats the refrain "This is not real," emphasizing the idea that the glamour and glitz of Hollywood and the media are not a reflection of true happiness or fulfillment. Rather, they are a kind of illusion that can lead people to sacrifice their authentic selves for a chance at fleeting fame.

As the song progresses, the lyrics become increasingly critical of the media's role in promoting this empty culture. They describe how the media beautifies and calculates everything, even as the world around us becomes more and more insane. The song ends on a note of despair, with the singer laughing at the insanity of it all.

Overall, Joydrop's This Is Not Real is a powerful commentary on the modern obsession with fame and celebrity, and the shallow culture that arises from it. The lyrics are insightful and thought-provoking, challenging listeners to consider the deeper meaning of their own lives and experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

Every single day I watch the dead parade
The singer spends each day watching people passively consume entertainment without truly engaging with it.

The TV's on like opium
Television serves as a drug, soothing the pain and boredom of everyday life.

Superstars are raging
Famous individuals generate buzz and attention, but also tend towards excess and extremes.

Stupid, loud and highly engaging
Entertainment that is popular doesn't need to be intelligent or meaningful, but must be attention-grabbing.

There goes the gravy train
The artist comments on how those involved in the entertainment industry profit from the naivety and gullibility of consumers.

The day changes, a million faces line up
People believe that fame and success are the keys to a good life, and so they flock to entertainment industries in order to attain them.

To star in this over rated dream
The entertainment industry may seem like an ideal place to be, but it is ultimately overhyped and may never deliver on its promises.

Or so it seems
The artist recognizes that there is more to the entertainment industry than what it appears on the surface.

This is not real, will not last, does not feel
The artist warns listeners that the entertainment industry is artificial, transient, and unable to provide true happiness.

Like the touch of a glorious life
The entertainment industry is not a substitute for a genuine, fulfilling existence.

This is the worst kind of wasted
The singer views wasting one's life in pursuit of fame and fortune as one of the greatest tragedies possible.

'Cause now you're standing here
The artist points out that those who have devoted their lives to the entertainment industry may find themselves at a loss if it does not deliver on their expectations.

Wondering why you sold yourself
The singer questions whether it is worth it to sacrifice one's values and humanity in the hope of commercial success.

More frequently I'm scared by what I see
The singer is frightened and disturbed by the way people uncritically engage with media and entertainment.

The media beautifies, calculates and lies
The singer points out the manipulative and deceptive practices of media and entertainment industries.

The mindless becomes free
The artist laments that people who allow themselves to be mindlessly entertained are ultimately surrendering their autonomy and agency.

Flies in the face of someone else's misery
The artist acknowledges that entertainment sometimes profits from or causes the suffering of others.

Laughs at the insanity
Finally, the singer is horrified by how absurd and frivolous popular entertainment can be, laughing in order to avoid crying at the emptiness of it all.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: TOM MCKAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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