Real Life – English Lyrics

• By: Imagine Dragons
• Album: Origins

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Imagine Dragons' "Real Life" to experience a song that speaks to the heart of modern existence. Its clear, relatable lyrics and powerful emotional delivery make it an excellent choice for English language learners, offering insights into contemporary themes of connection and authenticity while showcasing common idioms and heartfelt expressions. Discover how music can help you navigate complex feelings and find meaning in the everyday.

[English]

She says that the world is a broken mess

And it's always on her mind

...

She cries at the news when the shots ring out

Oh, every single time

...

And no, I cannot fix it

No, I cannot make it stop

So I said, "Hey, turn your phone off

Won't you look me in my eye?

Can't we live that real life, real life?

Oh, hey, turn your phone off

Won't you look me in my eye?

Can't we live that real life, real life?"

She prays on her knees as the towers fall

To a God she does not know

...

She's begging Him to stop the mess

As the Boston bombs will blow

...

She says, "How can I ever believe

In something that would step aside and watch?"

...

And I got no words to say

'Cause I think I lost my faith

But I fake it for the day

Oh, everything will be okay

But no, I cannot fix it

And I cannot make it stop

So I said, "Hey, turn your phone off

Won't you look me in my eye?

Can't we live that real life, real life?

Oh, hey, turn your phone off

Won't you look me in my eye?

Can't we live that real life, real life?"

...

I wish I had the answers

Something you could hold to

The only thing that's real to me is you

...

Turn your phone off

Won't you look me in my eye?

Can't we live that real life, real life?

Oh, hey, turn your phone off

Won't you look me in my eye?

Can't we live that real life, real life?

Oh, hey

(Real life)

...

Real life, real life, oh, hey

...

Real life, real life, oh, hey

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features.
broken /ˈbroʊkən/ B1	adjective - having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order.
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought.
cries /kraɪz/ A2	verb - shed tears, typically as an expression of distress, pain, or sorrow.
news /nuːz/ A2	noun - newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent events.
shots /ʃɑːts/ B1	noun - the firing of a missile from a weapon (such as a gun or bow).
ring /rɪŋ/ A2	verb - (of a bell or other object) make a clear resonant sound.
fix /fɪks/ A2	verb - mend or repair (something).
eye /aɪ/ A1	noun - the organ of sight.
live /lɪv/ A1	verb - remain alive.
real /rɪəl/ A2	adjective - actually existing or occurring; not imagined or pretended.
prays /preɪz/ B1	verb - address a solemn request or expression of thanks to a deity or other object of worship.
towers /ˈtaʊərz/ A2	noun - a tall, narrow building or part of a building, typically of a church or castle.
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.
knees /niːz/ A1	noun - the joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans.
begging /ˈbeɡɪŋ/ B1	verb - ask someone earnestly or humbly for something.
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.
faith /feɪθ/ B1	noun - complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
answers /ˈænsərz/ A2	noun - a reply to a question or problem.

Key Grammar Structures

• She says that the world is a broken mess

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The verb "says" is in the present simple tense, indicating a current state or fact.

• I cannot fix it

  ➔ Modal Verbs (can/cannot)

  ➔ The phrase "cannot fix" uses the modal verb "can" to express inability.

• Can't we live that real life, real life?

  ➔ Question Form (Negative)

  ➔ The phrase "Can't we" is a negative question form, inviting a response.

• She prays on her knees as the towers fall

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase "prays" is in the present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action.

• I wish I had the answers

  ➔ Past Simple Tense in a Wish

  ➔ The phrase "I wish I had" uses the past simple tense to express a desire for something that is not true.

• The only thing that's real to me is you

  ➔ Present Simple Tense with a Relative Clause

  ➔ The phrase "that's real" uses the present simple tense and includes a relative clause to describe a noun.