In the hauntingly beautiful ballad "This Is Real," folk artists paint a vivid picture of transformation and escape. The lyrics describe the sensation of leaving behind the old, painful memories, and stepping into a new reality. The wind serves as a metaphor for change, blowing away the remnants of the past and carrying the speakers towards a brighter future.
The opening verse sets the scene with the wind carrying cigarettes, symbolizing the end of something – perhaps an old habit or relationship. The taste of the filter alludes to bittersweet memories, but the speaker remains unphased, having already moved on. This theme of departure continues throughout the song as the singer describes winning at life, burning bridges, and erasing their trail.
The chorus repeats, "There, I slept and saw this, but today it's real," emphasizing the power of imagination in shaping our reality. The past experiences were once only dreams, but now they have become tangible truths. This idea is further reinforced by the description of running like a wheel over the field, suggesting that time has passed, and the speaker has grown and evolved.
The second verse introduces the concept of childhood innocence, which serves as a stark contrast to the hardships faced in adulthood. The sun igniting the steppes and wind blowing through their hair represents carefree moments, untainted by the complexities of life. As the speaker changes their breath into a roar and learns how to smoke in deep draws, it's clear that they have accepted the new challenges that come with growing up.
However, despite this progress, there is a sense of longing for the past. The line "All I want is back" reveals that even though the speaker has moved on, they still hold fond memories of their past experiences. The song concludes with the repetition of "There where the sun ignited the steppes / Wind blew through our hair / There where we were still children," emphasizing the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and growth.
Through its poetic lyrics, "This Is Real" explores the intricacies of transformation and the power of the past in shaping our present. It invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences of change and growth, while acknowledging the emotional complexities that come with leaving behind the familiar for the unknown.
The opening verse sets the scene with the wind carrying cigarettes, symbolizing the end of something – perhaps an old habit or relationship. The taste of the filter alludes to bittersweet memories, but the speaker remains unphased, having already moved on. This theme of departure continues throughout the song as the singer describes winning at life, burning bridges, and erasing their trail.
The chorus repeats, "There, I slept and saw this, but today it's real," emphasizing the power of imagination in shaping our reality. The past experiences were once only dreams, but now they have become tangible truths. This idea is further reinforced by the description of running like a wheel over the field, suggesting that time has passed, and the speaker has grown and evolved.
The second verse introduces the concept of childhood innocence, which serves as a stark contrast to the hardships faced in adulthood. The sun igniting the steppes and wind blowing through their hair represents carefree moments, untainted by the complexities of life. As the speaker changes their breath into a roar and learns how to smoke in deep draws, it's clear that they have accepted the new challenges that come with growing up.
However, despite this progress, there is a sense of longing for the past. The line "All I want is back" reveals that even though the speaker has moved on, they still hold fond memories of their past experiences. The song concludes with the repetition of "There where the sun ignited the steppes / Wind blew through our hair / There where we were still children," emphasizing the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and growth.
Through its poetic lyrics, "This Is Real" explores the intricacies of transformation and the power of the past in shaping our present. It invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences of change and growth, while acknowledging the emotional complexities that come with leaving behind the familiar for the unknown.
