When Loggins sings, "I did it for you and the boys," he is referring to his first 2 sons Cody and Crosby. After he divorced, he married Julia, a healing therapist with whom he wrote "The Unimaginable Life" with and had 2 more children.
This is not the first time Loggins wrote a song with his kids in mind. Other than "Danny's Song," which had been written for his brother's son, he wrote "Only a Miracle" for Crosby (with Mike McDonald), "Isabella's Eyes" for his daughter and "Cody's Song," which appears on the same album. He dedicated "Return to Pooh Corner" to his fourth son Luke even before he was born. On his second Pooh Corner album he wrote "Hana Aluna Lullaby" for his second daughter whose name was chosen because he and Julia had met on the island of Hana.
The Real Thing
Kenny Loggins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You and I have much to say,
And you've been making me crazy,
Trying to understand
But it's impossible at your age.
I know I said I'll always try,
But you're going to bed alone again tonight,
I did it for you, and the boys,
Because love should teach you joy,
And not the imitation,
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
I did it for you, and for me,
And because I still believe,
There's only one thing,
You can never give up,
Never compromise on,
And that's the real thing you need in love.
You're so afraid your life is over,
And nothing I can say can change your mind.
How can anybody be so selfish,
And treat you all so cruel,
The woman screamed at me and cried.
I'll always hold you in my soul,
And I'm never going to leave you all alone
But your daddy doesn't live here anymore.
I did it for you, and the boys,
Because love should teach you joy,
And not the imitation,
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
I did it for you, and for me,
And because I still believe,
There's only one thing,
That you can never give up,
Never compromise on,
And that's the real thing you need in love.
Everybody's got a boat upon the ocean,
Not everybody's sailing out to sea,
And is there someone there for me?
I'm ready to believe.
I did it for you, and the boys,
Because love should teach you joy,
And not the imitation,
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
I did it for you, and for me,
And because I still believe,
There's only one thing,
That you can never give up,
Never compromise on,
And that's the real thing you need in love.
The Real Thing by Kenny Loggins is a song that reflects on the complexities of love and all the emotions that come with it. The song is a conversation between Kenny and Amanda, where she expresses her thoughts and fears about love. Kenny tries to reassure her that he did everything he did out of love, to provide her and their children with a better life. The lyrics touch on the idea that love should bring joy, and not the pain and imitation that Amanda's parents showed her. The chorus emphasizes the importance of holding on to the "real thing" in love, never compromising on it.
Throughout the song, Kenny's vocals are melancholic and reflective. His voice complements the acoustic guitar and the soft piano in the arrangement of the song, creating a calm and emotional atmosphere. When Amanda enters the song, her lines are more urgent and anguished, creating a sense of tension in the song. Her vocals contrast with Kenny's, creating a sense of conversation and relationship that elevates the emotional impact of the song.
The Real Thing is a song that speaks to the heart of anyone who has experienced love and its complexities. Kenny Loggins' lyrics and performance offer an honest and empathetic perspective on love, drawing on his own experiences and emotions to create a song that is both universal and personal.
Line by Line Meaning
Amanda, I know what you're thinking,
I understand what is going through your mind, Amanda.
You and I have much to say,
There's a lot we need to talk about.
And you've been making me crazy,
Your behavior is driving me insane.
Trying to understand
Attempting to comprehend the situation.
But it's impossible at your age.
It may not be feasible for you to comprehend everything at your young age.
I know I said I'll always try,
I promised to keep trying.
But you're going to bed alone again tonight,
You have to sleep alone again tonight.
And you lie there in the dark and wonder why.
You question why things are the way they are while in bed in the dark.
I did it for you, and the boys,
I did it for you and the children.
Because love should teach you joy,
Love is supposed to bring happiness and fulfillment into your life.
And not the imitation,
It should not be a counterfeit version of love.
That your momma and daddy tried to show you.
Your mother and father tried to demonstrate this love.
You're so afraid your life is over,
You're contemplating your life has ended.
And nothing I can say can change your mind.
No matter what I say, you are unwilling to change your outlook.
How can anybody be so selfish,
Some people can be unbelievably self-centered.
And treat you all so cruel,
And treat everyone so mercilessly.
The woman screamed at me and cried.
I was yelled at and cried on by the woman.
I'll always hold you in my soul,
You'll forever be a part of me.
And I'm never going to leave you all alone
I will never abandon you.
But your daddy doesn't live here anymore.
However, your father no longer resides here.
Everybody's got a boat upon the ocean,
Everybody has embarked on their own journey in life.
Not everybody's sailing out to sea,
However, not everyone is pursuing their dreams.
And is there someone there for me?
Is there someone out there for me?
I'm ready to believe.
I'm open to believing in a positive outcome.
That's the real thing you need in love.
True love is the most important aspect of a relationship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID FOSTER, KENNY LOGGINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charlotte McDaniel
What a beautiful face with a beautiful soul to go along
And your music,I can't come up with the perfect word to describe it.
Gòd blessed you so with all your talent and the willingness to share it with all.
You are a very Special Man
Who seems to have a heart of gold.
Thank you so very much.
And to your family for allowing you to take valuable time from them to radiant
Others.
Very Very Special
Always Kenny Loggins
Fan forever.
Charlotte McDaniel
D i v o r c e
HARDEST THING
ALTHOUGH IF IT
DAMAGES THOSE
AROUND,THEY DON'T
DESERVE TO SUFFER
THROUGH THINGS IN
WHICH THEY DID NOT
CHOSE TO.
IT TAKES A MATURE
PERSON TO REALIZE
COMPROMIZING OUR
HARDSHIPS AND WALK AWAY FOR THE FOUNDATION OF THE
ONES WE LOVE.
ANOTHER MUSICAL
GENIUS SONG AND
LYRICS THAT HIT
HOME.
Abby Mack
My dad played this song for me when he and my mom separated. Every time I hear it, it brings me back to that day but with bittersweet memories since I haven't seen my dad in 21 years. He was an alcoholic who disappeared a few years after their divorce. This concert was one of our favorites to watch together. When I need a dose of my dad, I watch this video and Return to Pooh Corner. I miss my dad.
Robert Crevier
I'm sorry for your loss! You're now left with a tribute with this song.
Jamie Iacobucci
The fact that your father played this song for you is really a gift in itself…he knew what he wanted to, and maybe couldn’t, express to you in this amazing song. You will always have your father, and this beautiful song, in your heart. 🥰
Karen Jones
❤
Medina Yasmine Bethea
❤❤❤
Cindy Kammerzell
I’m sorry that your dad was gone. My mom took her four kids & moved to Washington state. Away from my dad in California. Ever since then, there was an empty spot. My dad would never be there again. I was very glad to visit him though. Both my mom and dad passed on. Mom in 2005 & my dad later. I was always sad they divorced. I was 10 years old when they divorced.
Blessings to you. You mentioned Pooh Corner. I love that song. 🙏❤️
Renee' Fizer
I love Kenny’s vocals. Also his band mates are such a compliment to his talent.Wanted to see them live. He is not shy to collaborate with amazing talent also!
Neal Armstrong
My parents never got divorced, but I remember listening to this in January 1994 as my father was dying of cancer in the hospital and when he sang the line "but your daddy doesn't live here anymore", I just lost it. To this day, I tear up whenever he gets to that line.
Tom Bryant
Im sorry you had to deal with that. That brought tears to my eyes
Kim Hake
The entire album, 'Leap of Faith' iS, and has been a GoDsend to and for me for many years.!!!💗🔥💗🙏