The band originally consisted of David Sterry (lead vocals/guitar), Richard Zatorski (violin/keyboard), Alan Johnson (bass) and Danny Simcic (drums). Steve Williams (keyboard) replaced Zatorski in 1986, who was then replaced by George Pappas in 1996 after a long hiatus of band activity.
Real Life released their second and final album with the original lineup in 1985 titled Flame, which spawned minor hits "One Blind Love" and "Face To Face" although neither the album nor the singles repeated their previous success. The first single "No Shame" failed to chart, a video was shot for the second single "Face to Face" and it got airplay in Australia but nothing in the way of success. In 1986, they recorded the controversial song "Babies", which was even less successful, for a new North American release Down Comes the Hammer. "Babies", was the first new recording by the band that was not written by David Sterry and Zatorski. There were two other new songs and a re-mix of "Send Me an Angel". Incredibly this was to be the first of three best of albums after the band had only recorded two studio LPs. Zatorski left the band due to management pressure and attended law school and is now a practising lawyer in Melbourne.
At some stage Zatorski formed a new band called Zatorski, and recorded an updated version of "Send Me an Angel". In 1989 Real Life released a new version of "Send me an Angel", titled "Send Me an Angel '89", which fared slightly better than the original in the United States. The video for the 1989 version was identical to the original except Zatorski was edited out of all shots. The Australian video of "Send Me An Angel '89" was shot in Ormond College, The University of Melbourne, with Steve Williams on keyboard. In 1990, they released Lifetime, their first album of all-new material in five years, which spawned minor hits with "God Tonight" and "Kiss The Ground".
Steve Williams (keyboard) was the post Zatorski musician and was followed by George Pappas. A falling out occurred between Sterry and the remaining two original members Simcic and Johnson.
In 1998, they released Happy, which was followed in 2004 by Imperfection, this time featuring only David Sterry and George Pappas. In November of 2005, George announced his departure from the band. David has continued to carry the band name on his own. In 2004 toured the West coast of the U.S. to promote the album Imperfection with additional member Scott Ingram on drums. For this tour the band consisted of David Sterry, George Pappas and Scott Ingram.
In 2006, a new album of new mixes Send Me an Angel was released, bring the total number of versions of the song to approximately seventeen, including: * 1983: the original recording * 1983: the extended version * 1986: "Down Comes the Hammer" version * 1989: 4 versions in remix form on the "Send Me an Angel 89" single * 2006: 10 versions in remix form on the Send Me an Angel album which has the same cover as the 2004 release Send Me an Angel - Real Life's Greatest Hits, which has two 1989 versions of the song.
In spring 2008 Real Life (David Sterry) performed live for the first time in the Philippines along with When in Rome and A Flock of Seagulls as part of the Lost 80's Tour in Manila.
In 2009 they released a sixth album of covers of 80s songs called Send Me an Angel - '80s Synth Essentials.
In 2020 they released their seventh album Sirens.
There is another artist with the same name:
2. A performer by the name of Castle uses the moniker "Real Life" on the NinjaTune label (and its sublabel NTone) where they have released several 'space-bass' electronic works, including "Leysh" which featured vocals by Natasha Atlas. These songs are generally in a mid-tempo ambient-dub style.
Cars
Real Life Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's written in a big book that's been read for years
Walking down the alley of the cold cobbled street
Ducking stares and glares of those who feel complete
When I walked through there no one offered me a seat
They told me non-believings for the weak
Clutching at my crucifix
Weighing me down
It's weighing me down now
Clutching at my crucifix
You ask me how?
How can I banish my sins and live in the now?
Clutching at my crucifix
Weighing me down
Weighing me down
It's weighing me down now
Clutching at my crucifix
You ask me how?
How can I still sin and make it to the clouds?
I see all you people sitting in the church
Putting your hands together, praying to the God in the sky
And I try so hard to understand but all I can think is why?
Well I'm clutching at my crucifix
That shit ain't helping, it's just weighing me down
Staring at the people of God
Calling me out now
I see that cross hanging round your neck
All high and mighty, kept in check
Bet it was choked round your throat last night
Rough sex is fun but don't tell J C right?
You should take that frown turn that shit upside down
See that cross on your neck, flip it around
You should take that frown turn that shit upside down
Tear that cross from your wall, onto the ground
The song "Cars" by Real Life is a critique of organized religion, in particular, the hypocrisy of some of its adherents. The singer talks about how they are struggling with their faith, clutching at their crucifix trying to find answers to their questions. They walk through an alley, experiencing stares and glares from those who feel complete in their faith. The people in the church are praying to the "God in the sky," and while the singer tries to understand, they can't help but ask the question, "why?" They see the cross hanging around the necks of believers, and while it's supposed to represent love and forgiveness, it's also used as a tool for judgment and condemnation. The singer asks the believers to tear down their crosses and turn their frowns upside down. They're tired of the weight and burden of religious expectations, and they want to live in the now and banish their sins.
The song uses poignant imagery to comment on the themes of religion and hypocrisy. The cold cobbled street represents the isolation and loneliness one can feel when questioning faith. The crucifix is both a symbol of hope and a heavy burden that weighs the singer down. The Christians are seen as judgmental and hypocritical, with the song implying that they are using religion as a way to justify their immoral behavior. The singer is calling for a change, urging the believers to flip their crosses over to represent a more positive outlook and to begin to understand the true meaning of Christianity.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why he can't see it our way
I'm confused why he can't accept our beliefs
It's written in a big book that's been read for years
Our beliefs are based on an ancient and trusted text
Walking down the alley of the cold cobbled street
I'm walking down a lonely and uncomfortable path
Ducking stares and glares of those who feel complete
I'm avoiding judgment and disdain from those who are content with their beliefs
When I walked through there no one offered me a seat
Nobody welcomed me into their community
They told me non-believings for the weak
They criticized me for not believing what they do
Clutching at my crucifix
I'm holding onto my religious symbol
Weighing me down
Weighing me down
It's weighing me down now
My religion is becoming a burden to me
You ask me how?
How can I banish my sins and live in the now?
I'm struggling to reconcile my past mistakes with my present life
Clutching at my crucifix
I'm still holding onto my religious symbol
You ask me how?
How can I still sin and make it to the clouds?
I'm conflicted about how to reconcile my sinful actions with my ultimate goal of reaching heaven
I see all you people sitting in the church
Putting your hands together, praying to the God in the sky
I observe others worshiping in their own way
And I try so hard to understand but all I can think is why?
I'm struggling to comprehend the reasoning behind their beliefs
That shit ain't helping, it's just weighing me down
My religious symbol is no longer providing me with solace
Staring at the people of God
Calling me out now
I feel judged and scrutinized by religious individuals
I see that cross hanging round your neck
All high and mighty, kept in check
I notice the religious symbols worn by others
Bet it was choked round your throat last night
Rough sex is fun but don't tell J C right?
I make a suggestive joke about someone's religious symbol, but acknowledge it may not be well-received
You should take that frown turn that shit upside down
See that cross on your neck, flip it around
You should try to have a more positive outlook on life, and perhaps reverse the negative connotations of your religious symbol
Tear that cross from your wall, onto the ground
I suggest that someone should remove their religious symbol from their life completely
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: James Sheppard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind