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).
Suburban Dogs
Real Estate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suburban dogs bark at slow moving trains
They'll run from your house and come back the same day
Suburban dogs are in love with their chains
Carry me back to sweet Jersey, back where I long to be
By the fields of the yellow and green, next to my darling lady
I walked alone through the humid black night
The water was cold from the sprinkler down the road
So I walked on through, I was feeling alright
Suburban dogs get afraid when it rains
Suburban dogs bark at slow moving trains
They'll run from your house and come back the same day
Suburban dogs are in love with their chains
Carry me back to sweet Jersey, back where I long to be
By the fields of the yellow and green, next to my darling lady
Back home
Back home
Back home
Back home
The lyrics to Real Estate's song "Suburban Dogs" explore the mundanity and banality of living in the suburbs. The lyrics paint a picture of dogs in the suburbs who are afraid of the rain and bark at slow-moving trains. The line, "They'll run from your house and come back the same day," speaks to the monotony and predictability of suburban life. The line "Suburban dogs are in love with their chains" is a metaphor for the way in which the suburban lifestyle can be constraining, but also comfortable and familiar.
The second half of the song shifts to a nostalgic longing for a different time and place. The line "Carry me back to sweet Jersey, back where I long to be" speaks to the idea that the singer yearns for a simpler time and place, perhaps one where they grew up. The "fields of yellow and green" and "darling lady" conjure up images of a more idyllic, rural lifestyle. However, the singer acknowledges that this is just a fantasy as they walk alone through the suburban streets.
Overall, Real Estate's "Suburban Dogs" is a commentary on the monotony and comfort of suburban life, as well as a nostalgic longing for a more idyllic and simpler time.
Line by Line Meaning
Suburban dogs get afraid when it rains
Dogs in suburban areas feel scared when it rains due to the unfamiliar sound of the rainfall.
Suburban dogs bark at slow moving trains
Dogs in suburban areas are known to bark at trains that pass by slowly out of curiosity or because they feel threatened.
They'll run from your house and come back the same day
Dogs in suburban areas tend to wander away from their homes out of boredom, but their attachment to their homes usually brings them back before the end of the day.
Suburban dogs are in love with their chains
Dogs in suburban areas may develop a fondness towards their chains, which gives them a sense of security and boundary within their confined spaces.
Carry me back to sweet Jersey, back where I long to be
The artist in the song wishes to return to their hometown of New Jersey, where they feel a sense of belonging and comfort.
By the fields of the yellow and green, next to my darling lady
The singer desires to be surrounded by nature and loved ones back in their hometown, which evokes a feeling of nostalgia and yearning.
Under the spell of a buzzing street light
The singer is describing the feeling of being entranced or captivated by the flickering light of a streetlamp at night.
I walked alone through the humid black night
The artist is describing a lonely, dark night of walking in humid weather, which may symbolize feelings of isolation or melancholy.
The water was cold from the sprinkler down the road
The artist encountered cold water from a municipal sprinkler system, which could be a reminder of familiar sights and sounds from their hometown.
So I walked on through, I was feeling alright
Despite the potentially negative connotations of the previous lines, the artist seems to be content and unbothered by their surroundings as they continue walking.
Back home
The repeated phrase signifies the singer's strong desire to return to their hometown and feel a sense of familiarity and comfort once again.
Back home
The repeated phrase signifies the artist's strong desire to return to their hometown and feel a sense of familiarity and comfort once again.
Back home
The repeated phrase signifies the singer's strong desire to return to their hometown and feel a sense of familiarity and comfort once again.
Back home
The repeated phrase signifies the singer's strong desire to return to their hometown and feel a sense of familiarity and comfort once again.
Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stephen Henry
Ahhh suburbia, nostalgia, decay, innocence, this song captures everything about it
TheLucvD
This music does something with me, I don't really know what but when I put it on whilst I'm working or something it really cheers me up and gets me in a flow... great band
Adam Fitzgerald
beyond sensical. you just put into words exactly how I feel when I listen to this song.
Sebi
Anyone else hearing a bit of a shoegaze/dream pop influence in their early tracks like this?
Btw.: Amongst Beach Comber one of my most favourite songs by one of the greatest Bands ever!
Makes me filled with warm nostalgic melancholy ( if that makes sense :D )
magicalwizard99
shoegaze is a tough genre for me because there's bands like my bloody valentine that are shoegaze and that's pretty different, but it's a real chill song like dream pop is. I'd say this song and this album in general lie somewhere between dream pop and jangle pop but this might be my fav real estate album
Gito360
Great song. This band takes its time to give you meaningful lyrics and beautiful melodies. would love to see them live.
staticxr
i love the music these guys make. I shot stills one of their show at the Magic Stick in Detroit back in March. Meek, simple, melodic, beautiful, good vibes from them in all ways.
SALOMONIEZ PIZZAERIA
Makes life easy to live !!!! Always a good feeling band to listen to when ur feeling down:/ real estate rules
KRT LYFE
I love this tune!!!!
shaypal5
Sounds like a song right out of 'You can play these songs with chords' by DCFC. I absolutely love it.