Sly Stone (born Sylvester Stewart, 15 March 1943, in Denton, Texas) is an A… Read Full Bio ↴Sly Stone (born Sylvester Stewart, 15 March 1943, in Denton, Texas) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, most famous for his role as frontman for Sly & the Family Stone, a band which played a critical role in the development of soul, funk and psychedelia in the 1960s and 1970s. Sly & the Family Stone was started in Vallejo, California and eventually had artists from around the San Francisco Bay Area.

For Real
Sly Stone Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I ain't got nobody
Lookin' out for me
I ain't got nobody
I am afraid

Look around from time to time
If you see me lookin' don't pay me no mind
Let me tell you what I'm tryin' to find

A girl who's for real all the time
She don't have to wear a wig
She don't have to be too big
In any given community as long as she loves me

I ain't got nobody
I ain't got nobody
I ain't got nobody
I ain't got nobody

For real
For real
For real

I ain't got nobody
Lookin' out for me
I ain't got nobody
Anybody can see

All I want is a downhome girl
I'll find her if she's in this world
For real is all she has to be
Reality is all she has to see
Love is all she has to give
Life is all she has to live
If I could have all of this
I'd let her have my every kiss

I ain't got nobody
I ain't got nobody
I ain't got nobody
I ain't got nobody

For real

I ain't got nobody
Lookin' out for me
I ain't got, ain't got nobody
I am afraid

Look around from time to time
If you see me lookin' don't pay me no mind
Let me tell you what I'm tryin' to find
A girl who's for real all the time
She don't have to wear a wig
She don't have to be too big
In any given community as long as she loves me

I ain't got nobody
I ain't got nobody

I ain't got nobody
I ain't got nobody

Overall Meaning

Sly Stone's For Real is an introspective track that delves into the psyche of someone who feels alone and unprotected in a world that, to them, is harsh and unforgiving. The song's first verse repeats the line "I ain't got nobody" four times, emphasizing the singer's isolation and solitude. The fear and vulnerability that come with such feelings are then articulated in the subsequent lines, where the singer confesses that they are "afraid" and that "anybody can see" their plight.

The second verse is more hopeful and optimistic, as the singer describes what they're looking for: a "downhome girl" who is "for real all the time." The object of their affection doesn't have to conform to any particular physical standard, but rather has to embody sincerity, love, and reality in all she does. These traits are what the singer deems necessary to overcome the feeling of loneliness and despair that dominates their life.

The repetition of "for real" throughout the song further accentuates the importance of authenticity and genuineness. The singer is not just looking for any girl but one who is "for real" and can see and love them for who they truly are.

In essence, For Real is a plea for human connection and love- a desire to find someone who is sincere in their interest and care for the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

I ain't got nobody
Feeling alone and unsupported.

Lookin' out for me
Watching over and caring for me.

I ain't got nobody
Feeling alone and unsupported.

I am afraid
Filled with fear or anxiety.

Look around from time to time
Observe my surroundings occasionally.

If you see me lookin' don't pay me no mind
Don't worry or pay attention if you notice me looking around.

Let me tell you what I'm tryin' to find
I want to explain what I am looking for.

A girl who's for real all the time
A genuine woman who is true to herself.

She don't have to wear a wig
Her physical appearance does not matter to me.

She don't have to be too big
Her size or weight is not important.

In any given community as long as she loves me
I don't care where she comes from or what her background is, as long as she loves me.

All I want is a downhome girl
I am looking for a simple and authentic woman.

I'll find her if she's in this world
I believe that the right woman for me exists and I will find her.

For real is all she has to be
Being genuine and true to herself is all that matters.

Reality is all she has to see
She sees the world for what it truly is.

Love is all she has to give
Her capacity to love is what truly matters.

Life is all she has to live
She values the simple things in life.

If I could have all of this
If I could find a woman that embodies these traits.

I'd let her have my every kiss
I would be completely devoted to her.

For real
Being true to oneself is the most important thing.

I ain't got, ain't got nobody
Feeling alone and unsupported.

I am afraid
Filled with fear or anxiety.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SYLVESTER STEWART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Josh N

7y↑7

I saw some people saying that he didn't have a good voice, even though it was so iconic. I think he has one of the greatest voices in funk, or any modern genre.