The Real Thing

Throughout my entire life this has remained one of my favorite songs.

It's about life in it's purest, most raw and simplistic forms. It is everything that is visceral about your life. It's that split-second that lasts forever, whether it's a car-crash, a fist-fight, or making love. It's the heights of ecstasy and the deepest, darkest despair, and how they are the defining moments in our lives.

The title is linked to a 'video' of the song. Since there was never an official video it's just the album cover. I'll do this whenever possible because I feel like hearing the lyrics in the context of the song helps convey the intended emotions.

Also I'd like to point out the very talented Mike Bordin is drummer for now-defunct Faith No More, and as some of you older readers may be aware, he's apparently so good at what he does that Ozzy Osborne asked him to be Ozzy's permanent touring drummer. In this particular song I like the touch of adding the heartbeat-beat to further reinforce the core of what the song is about.

Enough jibber-jabber!

Lyrics:
I know the feeling
It is the real thing
The essence of the truth.

The perfect moment
That golden moment
I know you feel it too.

I know the feeling
It is the real thing
You can't refuse the embrace...

NO!

It's like the pattern below the skin
You gotta reach out and pull it all in.
And you feel like you're too close
But you swallow another dose.

The pinnacle of happiness
Filling up your soul.
You don't think you can take any more
You never wanna let go.

Cause it's the root of experience,
The most basic ingredients,
To see the unseen glitter of life,
And feel the dirt, grief, anger and strife.

Cherish the certainty of now,
It kills you a bit at a time.
Cradle the inspiration,
It will leave you writhing on the floor...

This is so unreal,
What I feel,
This nourishment,
Life is bent,
Into a shape,
I can't hold,
A twist of fate,
All my own,
Just grit your teeth,
And make no sound,
Take a step away
And look around,
Just clench your fist,
And close your eyes,
Look deep inside.
Hypnotize,
The whisper is
But a shout.
That's what it is,
All about,
Yes, the ecstasy,
You can pray,
You will never let,
It slip away.

Like the sacred song that someone sings through you.
Like the flesh so warm that the thorn sticks into.
Like the dream you know one day will come to life.
Try to hold on just a little longer, longer, stronger, stronger.

It's the jewel of victory,
In the chasm of misery.
And once you have bitten the core
You will always know the flavor.

The split second of divinity;
You drink up the sky;
All of heaven is in your arms,
You know the reason why.

It's right there, all by itself
And what you are, there is nothing else
You're growing a life within a life.
The lips of wonder kiss you inside.
And when it's over the feeling remains.
It all comes down to this.
The smoke clears, I see what it is
That made me feel this way...

I know the feeling
It is the real thing
The essence of the truth.

The perfect moment
That golden moment
I know you feel it too.

I know the feeling
It is the real thing
You can't refuse the embrace...

This is so unreal,
What I feel,
Flood, sell your soul,
Feel the blood,
Pump through your veins,
Can't explain,
The element that's everything,
Just clench your fist,
And close your eyes,
Look deep inside,
Hypnotize
Yes, the ecstasy,
You can pray
You will never let it slip away.
Yes, the ecstasy,
You can pray,
You will never let it slip away.
You will never let it slip away.
You will never let it slip away.

Like the echoes of your childhood laughter, ever after.
Like the first time love urged you to take it's guidance, in silence.
Like your heartbeat when you realize you're dying, but you're trying.
Like the way you cry for a happy ending, ending...

I know the feeling
It is the real thing.