Raised in Eugene, Oregon, Bonham is a classically trained violinist and pianist. She had a full violin scholarship to University of Southern California, but in 1987 she transferred as a junior to Berklee College of Music in Boston to study voice. After a year at Berklee, she dropped out, taught herself to play guitar and started working in the Boston music scene.
She received two Grammy nominations in 1997 for 'Best Alternative Performance' and 'Best Female Vocal'. Today, Bonham splits her time between the U.S. west coast and Brooklyn, New York.
Real
Tracy Bonham Lyrics
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Aaaaah
Aaaaah, aaaaah
Aaaaah, aaaaah
I know the sun's around to wake the dead
You've got, if anything, a bigger head
Most likely to perform was who I knew
Silly, who you know has got away
Sweet little who you know lives in L.A.
Most likely to conceive was who I knew
But now, it's you that I have to know
Only the real world is so unreal
Only the real is real
Pocket the business card, be on your way
Pocket the smiling face and save the day
Most likely to perform was who I knew
But now, it's you that I have to know
Only the real world is so unreal
Only the real is real
Only the real world is so unreal
Only the real is real
Aaaaah
Aaaaah
Aaaaah
Aaaaah
Aaaaah, aaaaah
Aaaaah, aaaaah
Aaaaah, aaaaah
Aaaaah, aaaaah
The lyrics to Tracy Bonham's song The Real seem to be exploring the idea of realizing that what we once thought was important, may not be as important as what we are discovering now. The first verse implies that someone who was once thought to be the most likely to succeed and perform, is no longer a priority compared to someone new that the singer has to get to know. The second verse carries on this theme, with someone who was once thought likely to conceive a successful idea or project, now being overshadowed by someone else.
The chorus of the song seems to be the crux of the message, with the repeated statement "Only the real world is so unreal, only the real is real." This could be interpreted as a realization that the superficial and external qualities that may have once seemed important, are not as valuable as authenticity and genuineness. The final verse encourages moving on and letting go of the past, with lines like "Pocket the business card, be on your way" and "Pocket the smiling face and save the day."
Overall, the song seems to be about the singer's realization that they need to shift their focus and priorities to what is truly important and real, rather than relying on past assumptions and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Aaaaah
An expression of raw emotion or an intense feeling.
I know the sun's around to wake the dead
I am aware of the natural phenomenon that is the sun rising in the morning.
You've got, if anything, a bigger head
You seem to be overly confident or egotistical.
Most likely to perform was who I knew
The person who was most likely to succeed in a performance was someone I was once familiar with.
But now, it's you that I have to know
However, I am now interested in getting to know you instead.
Silly, who you know has got away
It's foolish to rely on the connections you have to get what you want because they may not always be available or useful.
Sweet little who you know lives in L.A.
A person you know who seems innocent or kind lives in Los Angeles.
Most likely to conceive was who I knew
I once knew someone who was most likely to become pregnant.
But now, it's you that I have to know
However, I am now interested in getting to know you instead.
Only the real world is so unreal
The true nature of reality is often difficult to comprehend or accept.
Only the real is real
Only that which is genuine or authentic can be considered real.
Pocket the business card, be on your way
Take the contact information and leave quickly.
Pocket the smiling face and save the day
Take advantage of someone's friendly demeanor to achieve something.
Most likely to perform was who I knew
The person who was most likely to succeed in a performance was someone I was once familiar with.
But now, it's you that I have to know
However, I am now interested in getting to know you instead.
Aaaaah
An expression of raw emotion or an intense feeling.
Aaaaah
An expression of raw emotion or an intense feeling.
Aaaaah
An expression of raw emotion or an intense feeling.
Aaaaah
An expression of raw emotion or an intense feeling.
Aaaaah, aaaaah
An expression of raw emotion or an intense feeling.
Aaaaah, aaaaah
An expression of raw emotion or an intense feeling.
Aaaaah, aaaaah
An expression of raw emotion or an intense feeling.
Aaaaah, aaaaah
An expression of raw emotion or an intense feeling.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TRACY K. BONHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind