Real Stuff
Leif Erikson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's a place where there is no money
I gather sugar for milk and honey
I hunt fresh meat for you
We can even cook it on the fire too

We build a house beneath a tree
And raise some goats to breed
We're free to roam around

And ride our horses into town

I just want to live a simple life
And go steady
I just want to know the real stuff
My mind is ready

Cook berries that look the same
Those poison berries have a different name
So happy that I went home
I ate the berries and died alone

I just want to live a simple life
And go steady
I just want to know the real stuff
My mind is ready
But I guess we've gone too far
To go back there
I still think we could do mine
Too late to walk there

I think I found a diff way
And I'm ready to go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Leif Erikson's song Real Stuff speaks to a longing for a simple life that is free from the complexities of modern society. It portrays a utopian world where there is no money, and people live off the land by gathering sugar for milk and honey and hunting for fresh meat. The singer envisions building a home beneath a tree and raising goats to breed. They are free to roam around and ride their horses into town. They want to live a simple life and desire to know the real stuff. The mood of the song is reflective as the singer reflects on life and the choices made.

The song takes a turn as the singer talks about picking berries that look the same, but some could be poisonous. The imagery of death is introduced, and the singer talks about dying alone after eating the poisonous berries. The singer tries to go back to a simpler life that was before, but it is too late, and they have gone too far. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but it can be deduced that the song talks about the complexities of modern society and the desire for a simpler and authentic life.

Line by Line Meaning

It's a place where there is no money
Leif Erikson desires a place where money holds no power over people's lives

I gather sugar for milk and honey
Leif Erikson intends to provide sweet sustenance for his loved ones in a naturalistic setting

I hunt fresh meat for you We can even cook it on the fire too
Leif Erikson plans to hunt and prepare fresh meat for his companions to enjoy in the tradition of early man

We build a house beneath a tree And raise some goats to breed We're free to roam around And ride our horses into town
Leif Erikson dreams of building his home in harmony with nature and sustaining himself through animal husbandry, all while retaining the freedom of movement and exploration

Cook berries that look the same Those poison berries have a different name So happy that I went home I ate the berries and died alone
Leif Erikson cautions against hasty assumptions, as seemingly identical berries can have vastly different properties that may prove fatal if not carefully identified

I just want to live a simple life And go steady I just want to know the real stuff My mind is ready
Leif Erikson seeks a simple and genuine existence that satisfies his curiosity and thirst for authentic knowledge

But I guess we've gone too far To go back there I still think we could do mine Too late to walk there
Leif Erikson laments his current situation of being too entrenched in modern life to easily pursue his ideal lifestyle, and regrets not taking action sooner

I think I found a diff way And I'm ready to go
Leif Erikson believes he has discovered an alternative approach to life that he is eager to pursue

Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS