Tones on Tail's music is psychedelic/surrealist with a heavy English gothic rock vibe. It is textural and introspective and exhibits Ash's characteristically clean production. The band made a point of having each song sound as different as possible. In concert, the band sported all-white as a reaction to Bauhaus's all-black look. They never achieved a large following, though the track Go! is a retro dance club staple and a frequent addition to 1980s music compilations.
The band's back catalog has been subjected to a lot of compilations and reissues over the years; collecting the entire Tones on Tail discography was a difficult task. This was the situation until the 1998 release of Everything!, an appropriately named two-CD set of every track, fully remastered, plus a radio interview with Ash and Campling. The first disc contains the band's sole album Pop, while the second disc collects the rest of the band's work.
Real Life
Tones on Tail Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give me too much too soon
I'm so damn sick of your stupid rules
Give him something for nothing
Give him too much too soon
He's so damn sick of your stupid rules
When we don't want it no more
And how do you feel now
We still sound so sick
Still fish around, in waters you know so well
Give me something for nothing
Give me too much too soon
We're so damn sick of your rules
(we don't want your progress
We wanna be first)
Give me something for nothing
Give me too much too soon
We're so damn sick
Real Life (4x)
The world's at my feet
But in your arms
A seeker of real silence am I
Deepest dreams come to real life
Shall I
Colours on the landscape grow brighter now
The long,dark years have passed by
Is the coffin of your true love
True love
Real Life
Real Life
Real Life
Real Life
Real Life
Real Life
Real Life
Real Life
Real Life
Real Life
Is what I hear.
The Tones on Tail song "Real Life" is a poignant anthem against conformity and the rules of society. The lyrics of the song suggest a sense of disillusionment with the world and the people in it. The chorus repeats the phrase "real life" repeatedly, perhaps to emphasize the disconnect between the reality of everyday existence and the more thrilling, elusive "real life" that we all long for. The verses are directed at an unnamed person or entity that has failed to deliver on its promises, offering the singer "too much too soon" and forcing them to abide by stupid rules.
The use of the second person in the chorus is a clever device, as it invites the listener to identify with the singer and imagine themselves in a similar situation of frustration and disappointment. The line "Tell me why do we always get what we want when we don't want it no more" is particularly effective at highlighting the paradox of desire - the idea that we often crave things that we do not truly want or need. The final verse of the song takes a more optimistic turn, with the singer expressing a sense of hope and possibility. They describe themselves as a "seeker of real silence" and suggest that their "deepest dreams" are starting to come true.
Overall, "Real Life" is a deeply introspective song that speaks to the human condition of striving for something more. It is a call to reject conformity and embrace the unique path that lies ahead, even if it is uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me something for nothing
Asks for a gift or an opportunity without any effort or contribution
Give me too much too soon
Asks for a lot of things too quickly or before they're ready
I'm so damn sick of your stupid rules
Frustration with regulations or restrictions that appear unnecessary or illogical
Tell me why do we always get what we want
When we don't want it no more
Questioning why we become disinterested in something we've received once our need is fulfilled
And how do you feel now
We still sound so sick
Still fish around, in waters you know so well
Sarcasm aimed at questioning the value of the person's actions, despite their experience or familiarity with the subject
(we don't want your progress
We wanna be first)
Rejecting the idea of gradual improvement in favor of immediate success
We're so damn sick of your rules
Continued frustration with unnecessary limitations or constraints
The world's at my feet
But in your arms
A seeker of real silence am I
Deepest dreams come to real life
Shall I
Conflicting desires to have both material and emotional satisfaction, while recognizing the need for introspection and personal growth
Colors on the landscape grow brighter now
The long, dark years have passed by
Is the coffin of your true love
True love
Reflecting on the changing perception of the world as one ages, and questioning if past hopes and loves remain relevant
Real Life (10x)
Is what I hear.
Emphasizing the importance of embracing reality and living in the present, rather than chasing unrealistic goals or notions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL GASTON ASH, GLENN DEREK CAMPLING, KEVIN HASKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GunsArtVampiric
The Spiritual Plane "Good Versus Evil"
How do I tell if a spirit is good or bad?
SPIRITS- Malevolent in nature, Appear in the form of whitish or dark flying lines. (I suppose some may appear in colors but these are rarer.)
INTELLIGENT BEINGS- Good in nature, Appear with human-like forms.
Any action within the spiritual plane is intrinsically linked to human action, such as a war in Heaven would constitute certain actions in mankind like a war. The appearance of any spirit reveals its place in the hierarchy as the more human-like its form the higher its place overall. Spirits sometimes do not retain any specific appearance or may need to find a body that suits their nature. Ex. Lucifer appears in the form of a fair boy and turns red when angered. There is nothing monstrous about his appearance. In the Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy are many manners of spirits described in their forms that may appear to humankind. Therefore, it depend on how a spirit appears as to their intention whether good or bad. A human-like form has good intentions and a strand-like appearance constitutes a malevolent intention. Good and evil is a complex definition, however. A malevolent spirit may mean good in the long-run or an Intelligent Being may be filled with only short-term gains. Be warned! Pure intentions are rare.
ARITHMANCY
How do I tell the ruling star of anyone born? This is done by taking their name and both parents names and adding up the numbers from the arithmancy chart and gathering the remainder after dividing by 9.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A B C D E F G H I
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
K L M N O P Q R S
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
T U X Y Z I V HI HV
No Remainder or 4 = Sun
2 or 7, Moon
3, Jupiter
5, Mercury
6, Venus
8, Saturn
9, Mars
Within lie Occult mysteries understood by few, for the Most High created all things by number, measure, and weight, and names are not instituted by a casual office but with a certain rule.
@markmeidra7759
Awe remember driving in my van around the Oregon coast blasting T on T. Take me back.
@estatik1
This has been on my Top Ten favorite songs since 1988.
@grumb1z
One of my favorite Tones on Tail songs.
@pattiford05
Stephen Kiokee, I used to sleep to this album too. Me and my thoughts, my feelings, my dreams.
@mh2289
And Daniel Ash's hair ;D
@celiaayneto9232
me too ;)
@BlakeBurleson
My 280z and my high school sweetheart....good times indeed.
@dogfart666ok
This wouldn't have been out of place on "BURNING FROM THE INSIDE"...... Love Bauhaus Love Tones on Tail peace
@vincenzollamas
the backwards beginning of the 2nd part is reminiscent of the beginning of She's In Parties
@carachangren3059
Love classic guitar work...brilliant tune.