Their debut album BiRd-BrAiNs was first released on limited edition vinyl and cassette in June 2009, via the Portland-based imprint Marriage Records. In July 2009, it was announced that tUnE-yArDs had signed to 4AD, and a limited edition pressing of BiRd-BrAiNs was released on August 17, 2009.
A full worldwide release followed on November 16, 2009 (and November 17th in North America). The autumn 2009 pressing was remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright, and includes two new bonus tracks: "Want Me To" and "Real Live Flesh."
BiRd-BrAiNs was entirely self-produced and recorded, with Garbus utilizing a hand-held digital voice recorder, ukulele, some noisy off-balance drums, and produced using shareware mixing software. Garbus described their sound as "a patchwork of sound snippets, of history in a present tense. It is a composer's commitment to the preservation of stories, however small and unassuming."
A second album w h o k i l l was released on April 19, 2011, preceded by the single "Bizness". It was produced by Garbus and engineered by Eli Crews at New, Improved Studios in Oakland, California. Comparing the act to Sonic Youth, Frontier Psychiatrist said, "if BiRd-BrAiNs was Garbus’ EVOL, a record bursting with musical ideas that attempted to subvert the notion of song, w h o k i l l is their Sister, a record that embraces the traditional pop song as a vehicle to convey those ideas." The song "Fiya" is featured on a 2010 commercial for the Blackberry Torch.
Real Thing
Tune-Yards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what you are, you're simply not
Aren't you tired of this game?
And all the emptiness of your fame
You can't hold tight to what you have
Cause there is nothing there to grab
Now life is a shadow of the butt
You never did have what you thought you got
I'm no real thing
They say I'm the real thing
(Oh no)
I sound like the real thing
(Oh no)
Sing it real loud like the real thing
Makin' 'em proud like the real thing
(Lalala)
I come from the land of slaves
(Lalala)
Let's go Redskins
Let's go Braves
(Lalala)
You want the truth in tomes
Dig this dirt and sift out the bones
They said I'm the real thing
(Oh no)
I sound like the real thing
(Oh no)
Joke's on you
All askew
Heard my name in Timbuktu
(Lalala)
Now I got it
All mangled
(Lalala)
Cut it out it's all tangled
Star spangled
Givin' up what you've got
And what you are, you're simply not
Aren't you tired of this game?
And all the emptiness of your fame
You can't hold tight to what you have
Cause there is nothing there to grab
Now life is a shadow of the butt
You never did have what you thought you got
Oh, I'm no real thing
Water ain't water if water is wet
(Oh no)
Don't ever pay me
I look good in debt
(Oh no)
Red, white, blue course through my veins
Binge 'n purge the USA
Why are you afraid about pants size ten?
Humadum, rumadum
They're chosen girls
While you worry about chest size 6
They're winning the tricks
Those tricks, those tricks, oh
Just what is the real thing?
(Oh no)
Don't call my the real thing
(Oh no)
The search for the real thing
(Oh no)
The curse of the real thing
Lalala
I come from the land of shame
Blood and guts are all I claim, singing
Givin' up what you've got
Aren't you tired of this game?
You can't hold tight to what you've got
You never did have what you thought you got
Oh my god I use my lungs
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Soft and loud, anyway feels good
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Oh my heat up in my bones
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Perched atop my drumming flam
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Ate food that fed me
(Bless my lungs)
Seed planted itself in my stomach and bled me
Read some words that led me
Knee ache, skin leathery
Put up a fight and you're my pride
Swell, my fist right through a tube
Glory, glory it's good to be me
Ugly one be you, who you are
Ugly one be you, who you are
Ugly but pretty you're all ready
It's complicated
I'm a real thing
Real thing
The song "Real Thing" by tUnE-yArDs is a commentary on the ephemeral nature of fame and societal pressure to constantly be the best. It talks about the idea of letting go of the things that are not true to one's own nature and finding contentment in that. The lyrics suggest that societal norms often dictate people's actions and that people should be true to their own nature instead of following the expectations of others. The lines such as "Givin' up what you've got/ And what you are, you're simply not" reflect that idea.
The song also references the American flag with lines like "Red, white, blue course through my veins" and "Binge 'n purge the USA." It's a nod to both the patriotism in the country and its problematic history of cultural appropriation and abuse.
Ultimately, the song's overarching message is to be content with who you are and not to give in to societal pressure to conform. The lyrics end with "I'm a real thing/ Real thing," affirming that the singer is comfortable being who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
Givin' up what you've got
Letting go of something you possess
And what you are, you're simply not
Being someone you're not and denying your true self
Aren't you tired of this game?
Feeling exhausted by the facade and pretenses
And all the emptiness of your fame
The void and hollowness that comes with fame and recognition
You can't hold tight to what you have
You can't keep what you think you possess
Cause there is nothing there to grab
Because it was never real in the first place
Now life is a shadow of the butt
Life is a mere reflection of what you had thought it was
You never did have what you thought you got
You were never really in possession of what you had believed you had
Oh, I'm no real thing
I am a mere imitation or fake representation
Water ain't water if water is wet
Things are not what they seem
Don't ever pay me
Don't compensate or reward me
Red, white, blue course through my veins
Symbolism of American patriotism and identity
Binge 'n purge the USA
The act of consuming and then eliminating something, metaphorically referencing the excesses and waste evident within the US culture
Those tricks, those tricks, oh
The manipulations and schemes of others
Just what is the real thing?
What is truly authentic and genuine?
The search for the real thing
The pursuit of finding authenticity and truth
The curse of the real thing
The negative consequences that come with discovering authenticity and truth
Oh my god I use my lungs
Expressing the use of one's voice and breath
Ugly one be you, who you are
Embracing yourself for who you truly are
Ugly but pretty you're all ready
Flaunting your imperfections and developing confidence through them
I'm a real thing
Asserting authenticity and genuine identity
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Merrill Martin Garbus, Nathaniel J Brenner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mao Micks
Never had what you've got
what you are, you're simply not
Aren't you tired of this game?
And all the emptiness of your fame
You can't hold tight to what you have
Cause there is nothing there to grab
Now all life is a shadow of a thought
You never did have what you thought you got
I'm no real thing
They say I'm the real thing
(Oh no)
I sound like the real thing
(Oh no)
Sing it real loud like the real thing
Makin' 'em proud like the real thing
(Lalala)
I come from the land of slaves
(Lalala)
Let's go Redskins
Let's go Braves
(Lalala)
You want the truth in tones
Dig this dirt and sift out the bones
They said I'm the real thing
(Oh no)
I sound like the real thing
(Oh no)
Joke's on you
All askew
Heard my name in Timbuktu
(Lalala)
Now I got it
All mangled
(Lalala)
Cut it out it's all tangled
Star spangled
Never had what you've got
And what you are, you're simply not
Aren't you tired of this game?
And all the emptiness of your fame
You can't hold tight to what you have
Cause there is nothing there to grab
Now all life is a shadow of a thought
You never did have what you thought you got
Oh, I'm no real thing
Water ain't water if water is wet
(Oh no)
Don't have a penny
I look good in debt
(Oh no)
Red, white, blue course through my veins
Binge 'n purge the USA
Why are you afraid about pants size ten?
Humadum, rumadum
They're chosen girls
While you worry about dress size 6
They're winning the tricks
Those tricks, those dicks, oh
Just what is the real thing?
(Oh no)
Don't call my the real thing
(Oh no)
The search for the real thing
(Oh no)
The curse of the real thing
Lalala
I come from the land of shame
Blood and guts are all I claim, singing
Never had what you've got
Aren't you tired of this game?
You can't hold tight to what you've got
You never did have what you thought you got
Oh my god I use my lungs
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Soft and loud, anyway feels good
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Oh my heat up in my bones
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Perched atop my drumming throne
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Ate food that fed me
(Bless my lungs)
Seed planted itself in my stomach and bled me
Read some words that led me
Knee ache, skin leathery
Put up a fight, yell, and my pride
Swell, my fist right through a tree
Glory, glory it's good to be me
Ugly one be you, who you are
Ugly one be you, who you are
Ugly but pretty overrated
It's complicated
I'm a real thing
Real thing
Songwriters: Merrill Martin Garbus / Nathaniel J Brenner
Real Thing lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
KARINA MARGARITA GUTIÉRREZ TORRES
ESTA CANCIÓN ES MI FAVORITA DE TUNE YARDS REAL THING 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😻😻😻😻😚😚😚😚😚😙😙😙😙😙😗😗😗😘😘😘😘😗😗😗😙😙😚😻😻😍😍😍😍😍😍
KARINA MARGARITA GUTIÉRREZ TORRES
😍😍😍😍 ESTA CANCIÓN ES MI FAVORITA DE TUNE YARDS REAL THING
Holly Winter
Incredible. Lyrics are stunning and compelling. Always been a fan and admirer of this voice and her freedom in creative and emotional expression. Makes me feel so inspired.
Marco Ibarra
It feels good when you "discover" a great talent. Found you 3 weeks ago on my way to Vegas and can't stop listening ever since. Rock on!!!!
mynameisblueskye aka The Cosmic Blue Autie
She may not think she is the "real thing", but she's got to be something, if she can make someone listen to a single song twice or more in a row.
Kassandra Shuh
From my perspective the point is that nobody could possibly be the real thing. But who knows anything? These are deeply philosophical questions. Let me know if you talk to like Plato, Descartes, or whoever your favorite philosopher friends are. Have a good one! It's always dope to see someone that loves tune yards.
Mao Micks
Never had what you've got
what you are, you're simply not
Aren't you tired of this game?
And all the emptiness of your fame
You can't hold tight to what you have
Cause there is nothing there to grab
Now all life is a shadow of a thought
You never did have what you thought you got
I'm no real thing
They say I'm the real thing
(Oh no)
I sound like the real thing
(Oh no)
Sing it real loud like the real thing
Makin' 'em proud like the real thing
(Lalala)
I come from the land of slaves
(Lalala)
Let's go Redskins
Let's go Braves
(Lalala)
You want the truth in tones
Dig this dirt and sift out the bones
They said I'm the real thing
(Oh no)
I sound like the real thing
(Oh no)
Joke's on you
All askew
Heard my name in Timbuktu
(Lalala)
Now I got it
All mangled
(Lalala)
Cut it out it's all tangled
Star spangled
Never had what you've got
And what you are, you're simply not
Aren't you tired of this game?
And all the emptiness of your fame
You can't hold tight to what you have
Cause there is nothing there to grab
Now all life is a shadow of a thought
You never did have what you thought you got
Oh, I'm no real thing
Water ain't water if water is wet
(Oh no)
Don't have a penny
I look good in debt
(Oh no)
Red, white, blue course through my veins
Binge 'n purge the USA
Why are you afraid about pants size ten?
Humadum, rumadum
They're chosen girls
While you worry about dress size 6
They're winning the tricks
Those tricks, those dicks, oh
Just what is the real thing?
(Oh no)
Don't call my the real thing
(Oh no)
The search for the real thing
(Oh no)
The curse of the real thing
Lalala
I come from the land of shame
Blood and guts are all I claim, singing
Never had what you've got
Aren't you tired of this game?
You can't hold tight to what you've got
You never did have what you thought you got
Oh my god I use my lungs
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Soft and loud, anyway feels good
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Oh my heat up in my bones
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Perched atop my drumming throne
(Bless my lungs, bless my lungs)
Ate food that fed me
(Bless my lungs)
Seed planted itself in my stomach and bled me
Read some words that led me
Knee ache, skin leathery
Put up a fight, yell, and my pride
Swell, my fist right through a tree
Glory, glory it's good to be me
Ugly one be you, who you are
Ugly one be you, who you are
Ugly but pretty overrated
It's complicated
I'm a real thing
Real thing
Songwriters: Merrill Martin Garbus / Nathaniel J Brenner
Real Thing lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Conrad Allen
Breath of Fresh Air!!! Great original music (& sound)! You have a gift!!! I'm glad you're making real music that touches the soul! Thank you... Keep doing what you're doing!
Decora
I agree with you Conrad Allen it is about time people support original music
Joe Vi
Wonderful song from one of the best albums of the last decade or two.