Real World

Album: Yourself or Someone Like You (1996)
Charted: 38
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written by lead singer Rob Thomas, who is fantasizing about what it would be like to be someone else.
  • "Real World" was the fourth release from Matchbox Twenty's debut album and marked their first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, topping out at #38. It was a much bigger hit in the Adult Contemporary category. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Steven - Gibbon, NE, for above 2
  • The music video, directed by Matthew Rolston, opens with Rob Thomas walking through a bowling alley with a camel and segues into scenes with Kyle Cook getting a raw steak from an ice cream truck, Brian Yale directing a news broadcast, and Paul Doucette masquerading as a red-headed waitress in a diner.

    In a 2020 Songfacts interview, Rob shared his memories of making the video: "There is a large portion of that time that is kind of hazy and I don't remember super well. But I remember that video. The camel loved me and kept wanting to nuzzle. The zebra was kind of aggressive. It was the first time that we had input with the director about what we wanted and it was and still is a really out there video. I don't know that it means anything at all but it still had the desired effect."
  • This was used on the TV series A.P. Bio in the 2019 episode "Kinda Sorta."
  • At one point in the song, Thomas ponders what it would be like to be a super hero. When Larry King asked Thomas in a 2017 interview what super power he wished he had, the singer replied, "I wish I had the ability that at least one day a week I could eat whatever I want and have no calories."

Comments: 4

  • Jamboree Handoot from Ya Mammy CribThis song rocks!!! Many times I wish the "real" world would stop hassling me too!!!
  • Elizabeth from Mobile, AlI definitely prefer Matchbox Twenty to Rob Thomas's solo stuff. Some of the best 90s music.
  • Pam from Taylor, Mihave to say....there is not 1 matchbox tune you haven't liked. Rob Thomas is one amazing song writer...so young and talented. Not only can he write...his voice is strong and always in tune.
    My hat goes off and I proudly salute them.
    smiles....
  • Shanice from Sugar Land, TxWhat? No comments, this song is amazing!! Possibly my favorite Matchbox Twenty song, after If You're Gone
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Devo

DevoSongwriter Interviews

Devo founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale take us into their world of subversive performance art. They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing.

Booker T. Jones

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.