The band has released six albums since their formation: "Real Estate" (2009), "Days" (2011), "Atlas" (2014), "In Mind" (2017), "The Main Thing" (2020), and "Daniel" (2024).
Had to Hear
Real Estate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A reflection in the chrome
Of an adding machine
It's been so long
My mind is drawing a blank
Don't know if I can go back
But to live out this dream
It's just my luck
I had to hear you just to feel near you
I know it's not true
But it's been so long
I know it's wrong
I know
I don't need the horizon to tell me where the sky ends
Its a subtle landscape where I come from
I'm out again on my own
A reflection in the chrome
Of an adding machine
It's been so long
I call you up
I had to hear you just to feel near you
I know it's not true
But it's been so long
I know it's wrong
I know
The lyrics to Real Estate's song "Had to Hear" seem to be about being lost and disconnected, but finding comfort in reaching out to someone from the past. The singer sings about being on their own, feeling like their mind is blank, and not knowing if they can return to where they came from. However, they reach out to someone they used to know, perhaps for some familiarity and comfort in their current state of confusion. The lyrics express a sense of longing and a need to feel connected to someone, even if it may not be entirely true or right.
The verse "I don't need the horizon to tell me where the sky ends/Its a subtle landscape where I come from" suggests that the singer doesn't need grandiose imagery to understand where they are or where they're going. They're aware of the subtleties of their environment, which may not be obvious to others. This could represent their internal landscape of emotions and thoughts, which are not always visible to those around them.
Overall, "Had to Hear" seems to be a song about seeking connection and comfort in a state of confusion and uncertainty. It highlights the importance of reaching out to others during difficult times, even if it may not be entirely truthful or correct.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm out again on my own
I'm alone once again.
A reflection in the chrome
I see my reflection in the shiny surface.
Of an adding machine
It's the machine that adds numbers up.
It's been so long
It's been a long time.
My mind is drawing a blank
I can't think straight.
Don't know if I can go back
I'm not sure if I can return to how things were.
But to live out this dream
I have to fulfill this dream of mine.
It's just my luck
It's unfortunate, but that's how it is.
I had to hear you just to feel near you
I had to hear your voice to feel close to you.
I know it's not true
I know that feeling close to you in this way isn't real.
But it's been so long
It's been a long time since I've felt this way.
I know it's wrong
I know that this feeling is wrong in some way.
I know
I know how things are.
I don't need the horizon to tell me where the sky ends
I don't need to see the horizon to know where the sky stops.
Its a subtle landscape where I come from
The landscape where I come from is understated.
I'm out again on my own
I'm alone again.
A reflection in the chrome
I see my reflection in the shiny surface.
Of an adding machine
It's the machine that adds numbers up.
It's been so long
It's been a long time.
I call you up
I give you a call.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: ALEXANDER WILLIAM BLEEKER, MARTIN COURTNEY, MATTHEW ANTHONY MONDANILE, POLLIS JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Debby Potter
LYRICS
I'm out again on my own
A reflection in the chrome
Of an adding machine
It's been so long
My mind is drawing a blank
Don't know if I can go back
But to live out this dream
It's just my luck
I call you up
I had to hear you just to feel near you
I know it's not true
But it's been so long
I know it's wrong
I know
I don't need the horizon to tell me where the sky ends
Its a subtle landscape where I come from
I'm out again on my own
A reflection in the chrome
Of an adding machine
It's been so long
I call you up
I had to hear you just to feel near you
I know it's not true
But it's been so long
I know it's wrong
I know
M
Had To Hear
Real Estate
I'm out again on my own
A reflection in the chrome
Of an adding machine
It's been so long
My mind is drawing a blank
Don't know if I can go back
But to live out this dream
It's just my luck
I call you up
I had to hear you just to feel near you
I know it's not true
But it's been so long
I know it's wrong
I know
I don't need the horizon to tell me where the sky ends
Its a subtle landscape where I come from
I'm out again on my own
A reflection in the chrome
Of an adding machine
It's been so long
I call you up
I had to hear you just to feel near you
I know it's not true
But it's been so long
I know it's wrong
I know
Chillhop Music
Amazing track, so catchy
Danny Romano
Yoo, it’s crazy to see my two favorite YouTube channels in one vid❤️😁
sir420 Rawrdank
I am subscribed nice to see you in this comment section
Gil L.
I’m a 60’year old musician and my 20 year old son turned me on to real estate and love this band it’s our connection love this !!
Whitenoise 00
speed at x1.50
John VanderMolen
These guy are so good.
Canvey Island Baby
Great band, this is mine and my wife’s travelling music, for some reason this band really cements relationships
Geraldo Jeremy
@CG so wholesome
Earl Thornton
That is so awesome!
Ian
Way too few people know of this song’s existence. I truly feel it’s one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Timeless.