His most successful song was The Real Thing, written by Johnny Young, and produced by Ian Meldrum. It was the biggest selling Australian Single of 1969, and was released when Morris was 20 years old. The song was released in two halves on a small label in the United States of America and received limited international success as a result, although it did reach #1 in large cities such as Chicago.
More recently, his music has appeared on the soundtrack to The Dish, and has appeared on the ABC show Long Way to the Top.
The Real Thing
Russell Morris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come and see the real thing
Come and see
Come and see the real thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see
But the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see
I am the real, thing
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Trying hard to understand that, really not, you're seeing me
Trying hard to understand that, really not, you're seeing me
There's a meaning there
But the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see
I am the real, thing
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, ma mow
I am not seeing you
I am not seeing you
I, I, I
Trying hard to understand that, really not, you're seeing me
Trying hard to understand that, really not, you're seeing me
There's a meaning there
But the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see
I am the real, thing
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, ma mow
I am not seeing you
I am not seeing you
I, I, I
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, ma mow
I am the real thing
The song "The Real Thing" by Russell Morris is a psychedelic rock track with mysterious lyrics. The repetition of the phrase "Come and see the real thing" invites the listener to take a closer look at what's real and meaningful, yet the lyrics suggest that it's impossible to fully understand the meaning behind the real thing. The singer claims to be the real thing, repeating the phrase "I am the real thing" in a tribal chant-like rhythm, further emphasizing the duplicity of meaning and identity. The lyrics "Trying hard to understand that, really not, you're seeing me" suggest that there may be a hidden or deeper meaning to the singer's identity, yet it remains enigmatic and elusive.
The repetition of the phrase "Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow" creates a hypnotic effect, luring the listener into a trance-like state. The singer's voice is gravelly and emotive, adding to the overall enigma of the song. The song's meaning is open to interpretation, but it could be seen as a commentary on the commercialism of authenticity or the struggle of finding one's true identity amidst societal expectations and demands.
Line by Line Meaning
Come and see the real thing
Come witness the genuine article
Come and see the real thing
Come witness the authentic, unadulterated essence
Come and see
Come experience for yourself
There's a meaning there
There is significance to be found
But the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing
But ultimately, that significance may be irrelevant
I am the real, thing
I am the genuine article
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Syllabic musical interlude
Trying hard to understand that, really not, you're seeing me
Struggling to comprehend what you're seeing, despite it being right in front of you
I am not seeing you
I am not perceiving you in the same way
I, I, I
Emphasizing first-person point of view
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Recurring syllabic musical interlude
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN YOUNG, JOHN B. YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@georgielancaster1356
Another link to Vietnam and either Johnny Young or Ian Meldrum, who wrote it - I can't remember which, is a song called Smiley, written to farewell a young Ozzie pop star, named Normie Rowe, called up. It pretty well destroyed his career. By the time he was back, I imagine it was hard to be a happy young pop star.
Sung by Ronnie Burn.
A song I love from 71, is Someday I'll have money, by an oz band, Spectrum. Song also known as I'll be Gone
Hope you enjoy.
Oh, and you might enjoy a quirky Oz hit, with your national emblem bird, an Oz tune from early 70's? Eagle Rock. Make you smile...
@casho1968
Come and see the real thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see
Come and see the real thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see
There's a meaning there
But the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see
I am the real, thing
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Trying hard to understand that, really not, you're seeing me
Trying hard to understand that, really not, you're seeing me
There's a meaning there
But the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see the real thing
Come and see
I am the real, thing
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, Oo-mow-ma-mow
Oo-mow-ma-mow-mow, ma mow
I am…
@ongbonga9025
Australia has a ridiculous amount of good psychedelic music.
@perrycomeau2627
Only thing is that ridulous is your comment. Go eat twig stew. Define ridiculous occording to the Oxford dictonary.
@mbw6785
Every plant in the bush is a psychedelic drug
@bandieboo8102
A musical genius...is Russell Morris...and so humble to boot. He used to play wherever possible in the 70s...always graciously...no matter what the venue was.. including the Gympie saleyards the pits imo....I hope he reads this....you treated us like royalty that night...you put on the best performance ever for us country kids...you were our first live concert btw.....I will never ever forget that night xxx Thank you. 🤩🥰
@debbiebeggs8350
This era of aussie music was the best in the world and still holds a candle to the world to this day fkn go the australian music
@russelblackwell6041
This song was off the charts Australia blessed with talent for decades
@tonypbria3107
This would have to be one of THE best Aussie anthems ever written!
@zt1788
***** ThAts NOt hOW YoU uSe CApiTaL LetTerS bRO!
@zt1788
***** !No WORRIES mate
@stephenpickells3581
bbc? wasted? anything else you said?