Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Real Real Gone
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got hit by a bow and arrow
Got me down to the very marrow
And I'm real, real gone
Real real gone
I can't stand up by myself
Don't you know I need your help
Some people say
You can make it on your own
Oh you can make it if you try
I know better now
You can't stand up alone
Oh baby that is why
I'm real, real gone
I can't stand up by myself
Don't you know I need your help
You're a friend of mine
And I'm real, real gone
And Sam Cooke is on the radio
And the night is filled with space
And your fingertips touch my face
You're a friend of mine
And I'm real, real gone
I'm real gone
Oh Lord I got hit by a bow and arrow
Got me down to the very marrow
You're a friend of mine
And I'm real, real gone
And I'm real, real gone
I'm real gone
Wilson Pickett said:
"In the midnight hour,
That's when my love comes tumbling down"
Solomon Burke said:
"If you need me, why don't you call me"
James Brown said:
"When you're tired of what you got, try me"
Gene Chandler said:
"There's a rainbow in my soul"
Van Morrison’s Real Real Gone is a song about the need for connection with others. The opening lines say that the singer has been hurt deeply, “hit by a bow and arrow / got me down to the very marrow,” and is in need of help. The chorus repeats that sentiment, saying “I can't stand up by myself / Don't you know I need your help / And I'm real, real gone.” The song is an appeal to someone the singer knows, asking for help and connection.
The final lines of the song tie everything together with a series of quotes from other soul singers like Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke, and James Brown. These are all messages about the power of love and connection, about how it can lift us up when we’re down. The final line, “There’s a rainbow in my soul,” is an indication that the singer, who was “real, real gone” at the start of the song, has found some happiness and hope in that connection.
Overall, the song is about the human need for connection and the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Real real gone
I am truly and deeply gone from reality
I got hit by a bow and arrow
I have been struck so hard that it has affected me to the core
Got me down to the very marrow
It has affected me so deeply that it has gone past the superficial layer of my being
And I'm real, real gone
And I am truly and deeply gone from reality
I can't stand up by myself
I am unable to support my own self
Don't you know I need your help
I require your assistance
Some people say
There are individuals who believe
You can make it on your own
That you can succeed by your own efforts
Oh you can make it if you try
That you can achieve your goals with enough effort
I know better now
I have learned the reality
You can't stand up alone
That it is difficult to succeed without support
Oh baby that is why
That is why I require your help
You're a friend of mine
You are my ally and companion
And Sam Cooke is on the radio
And Sam Cooke's music is playing on the radio
And the night is filled with space
And the night is full of wonder and possibility
And your fingertips touch my face
And you touch my face lightly with your fingertips
I'm real gone
I am truly and deeply gone from reality
Oh Lord I got hit by a bow and arrow
Oh Lord, I have been struck so hard that it has affected me to the core
You're a friend of mine
You are my ally and companion
And I'm real, real gone
And I am truly and deeply gone from reality
Wilson Pickett said:
Wilson Pickett sang:
"In the midnight hour,
"During the time between night and morning,
That's when my love comes tumbling down"
Is the time when my love falls apart"
Solomon Burke said:
Solomon Burke sang:
"If you need me, why don't you call me"
"If you require my presence, why not get in touch with me?"
James Brown said:
James Brown sang:
"When you're tired of what you got, try me"
"When you are weary of your current situation, give me a chance."
Gene Chandler said:
Gene Chandler sang:
"There's a rainbow in my soul"
"There is a great deal of hope and positivity in my soul."
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deanhatch9561
<3
I got hit by a bow and arrow
Got me down to the very marrow
And I'm real real gone
Real real gone
I can't stand up by myself
Don't you know I need your help
And I'm real real gone
Some people say
You can make it on your own
Oh, you can make it if you try
I know better now
You can't stand up alone
Oh, baby, that is why
I'm real real gone
I can't stand up by myself
Don't you know? I need your help
You're a friend of mine and I'm real real gone
And Sam Cooke is on the radio
And the night is filled with space
And your fingertips touch my face
You're a friend of mine and I'm real real gone
I'm real gone now
Oh Lord, I got hit by a bow and arrow
Got me down to the very marrow
You're a friend of mine and I'm real real gone
And I'm real real gone, I'm real gone
Wilson Pickett said, "In the midnight hour
That's when my love comes tumbling down"
Solomon Burke said, "If you need me
Why don't you call me"
James Brown said, "When you're tired of what you got
Try me"
Gene Chandler said, "There's a rainbow in my soul"
@kenthawley5990
This was not one of his biggest hits, but it's my favorite of his. So soulful.
@twentyeightmcd
play it again sam!
@roderickcampbell2105
Indeed Kent. But how many hits? My arithmetic is not good enough. But Real Real Gone is wonderful alright. Cheers.
@isabellak948
Incredible Tune Incredible Man !!
@soultownlansing4746
Love the horns.
@invinoveritas2077
Van the man!
@Nowletbe
This song satisfies me down the the very marrow!
@christopheranderson601
Hello @connie charnell
@jackmeoff9076
I'm 67 . he makes me proud to be an IRISHMAN
@markh9749
"Real Real Gone" is a glorious slice of R&B infused soul that is as good as anything Van the Man has done in his career. This is what joy sounds like to those with ears to hear.