It's Real
Real Estate
Navigating the Tangible and Intangible in 'It's Real' by Real Estate
Real Estate's song 'It's Real' delves into the complexities of perception and reality, exploring the often blurry line between what feels genuine and what seems uncertain. The opening lines, 'I don't know who's behind the wheel / Sometimes I feel like that I don't know / The deal,' suggest a sense of disorientation and lack of control. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for life's unpredictability and the struggle to understand one's place within it. The repetition of 'It's real' serves as a grounding mantra, a reminder to trust one's feelings and experiences despite the confusion.
The imagery in the second verse, 'I carved our names into / A tree / I walked on decomposing / Leaves / I skated on the frozen / Sea,' evokes a sense of nostalgia and connection to nature. These actions symbolize permanence, change, and the passage of time. Carving names into a tree is a classic gesture of lasting love or friendship, while walking on decomposing leaves and skating on a frozen sea highlight the transient and fragile nature of existence. The juxtaposition of these images underscores the song's theme of finding reality in both enduring and fleeting moments.
Musically, Real Estate is known for their dreamy, jangly guitar sound, which complements the introspective and contemplative lyrics of 'It's Real.' The band's style often evokes a sense of wistfulness and longing, perfectly aligning with the song's exploration of what it means for something to be 'real.' The repeated refrain 'Oh whoa whoa whoa oh oh / It's real' acts as both a declaration and a question, inviting listeners to reflect on their own perceptions of reality and authenticity.