The Real Thing by Phoenix Lyrics Meaning – Deciphering the Quest for Authenticity in Modern Times

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Phoenix's The Real Thing at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

They say that you don’t
You promised you will
I’m calling my number
To sort out the thrill

Almost, almost, almost the real thing
How could I have missed that one?
How could I have missed it?

Am I the only one,
Your Lancelot?
Twenty-year-old and bored
Run for a better future

Pour lava in the ocean
Drown into the throne that you sit on
Follow, follow, follow me

Holy Father and Son
It’s not enough for you to live on
So long, so long Salomé

Tell me that’s what you wanted
Follow, follow me
Follow me
Follow, follow me
Follow me

You’re more than I want
I figured you will
Back in September
We’ll make it a deal

Almost, almost, almost the real thing
How could I have missed that one?
How could I have missed it?
Am I the only one,
Your Lancelot?
Twenty years often bored
Run for a better future

Pour lava in the ocean
Turn the eternal carousel on
Follow, follow, follow me

Holy Father and Son
It’s odd enough for you to live on
So long, so long Salomé

Tell me that’s what you wanted
Follow,
Follow, follow me
Follow me
Follow, follow me
Follow me
Follow, follow me
Follow me

Nestled within the eclectic symphony of indie pop quintessentially offered by Phoenix, ‘The Real Thing’ emerges as a sonorous enigma, layered with lyrical complexity and ripe for auditory dissection. The track weaves a rich tapestry that echoes the universal human yearning for authenticity amidst a world brimming with facades.

Here lies an incisive exploration into the vibrant core of ‘The Real Thing,’ dissecting each stanza and instrumental rise for a deeper understanding. As the beats pulse and the verses unfold, what unveils is not just a song, but a reflection of the zeitgeist, wrapped in a melody that’s as elusive as the quest it describes.

Chasing Shadows: The Elusive Grasp of Genuine Connection

The refrain ‘Almost, almost, almost the real thing’ serves as the heartbeat of the song, a rhythmic mantra that captures the essence of modern disillusionment. Phoenix paints a poignant portrait of the near-misses in our search for something sincere, whether in love, aspiration, or identity.

Each repetition is a testament to the liminal spaces we occupy, the gaps between what is and what could have been. It cries out for recognition of an epoch where we find ourselves perennially calling our own number, echoing into voids filled with broken promises and the static of unfulfilled thrills.

Knights and Myths: Embodying the Chivalric Search within the Self

Referencing the archetypal Lancelot, Phoenix invites us into personal introspection, presenting the notion of the ‘only one.’ However, in querying his uniqueness, the protagonist juxtaposes iconic lore against the banality of modernity—a twenty-year-old embroiled in ennui, racing towards an uncertain ‘better future.’

The imagery imbues a sense of heroic futility as the concept of the valiant knight is transmuted into a restless youth. This clever subversion not only captures a generational malaise but also comments on the fading grandeur of what was once perceived as ‘real’ and noble.

Volcanic Passions and Oceanic Depths: The Intensity of Seeking

With the striking metaphor ‘Pour lava in the ocean,’ Phoenix encapsulates the violent clash between fiery desire and the cool expanse of reality. This sonic landscape is textured with elemental force—the destructive meeting between molten earth and water, symbolizing the internal battles we wage in pursuit of the authentic.

As the song veers into the directive to ‘follow,’ the command reverberates with a twofold significance: it is at once a plea and an assertion, an invitation to join in the elemental dance and a recognition of the paradoxical journey where the destination remains obscure, even as we hurdle towards it.

From the Sacred to the Profane: A Modern Salomé’s Dance

The invocation of ‘Holy Father and Son’ along with the farewells to ‘Salomé’ pulls the listener through a historical tapestry of religious and literary allusions. Phoenix navigates between reverence and dismissal, challenging us to consider how the secular and the sanctified harmonize or clash within our personal quests.

The cryptic chorus stages a tug-of-war between the spiritual and the earthly. By intertwining biblical symbols with the song’s secular ethos, Phoenix blurs the lines between what is traditionally considered genuine and the contemporary redefinitions emerging in its dialogue with our collective narratives.

Earworms and Echoes: Unpacking the Song’s Most Haunting Verses

Beneath the infectious hook and the seemingly whimsical melodies, ‘The Real Thing’ houses lines that linger, evoking a resonance beyond the ephemerality of catchy tunes. ‘Back in September, we’ll make it a deal,’ promises a pact with the impending autumn, a symbol for change and commitments awaiting the turn of seasons.

Phoenix’s skill in crafting memorable lyrics is evidenced not only in their catchiness but in how they encapsulate sentiment—the ache of nostalgia, the weight of anticipation, and the hope sewn into future plans. These verses remind us that within the cyclical nature of time, perhaps what is ‘real’ is ever-shifting, ever sought after, but only ever ‘almost’ grasped.