A Real Song for Real Life

Sometimes I hear a song and just latch onto it. It plays on repeat in my head even if I haven't listened to it in hours or days. 

Sometimes I hate the song. I hate everything it represents. I hate the lies the lyrics spew. I hate that I accidentally hear it and the cycle repeats.

Sometimes I love the song. I think it's clever. I think it represents some good truths. I think everyone should hear it. I think everyone should enjoy it with me.

Today we're dealing with the latter type of song. It's one I love. It's one that I heard a few short weeks ago and hum when I haven't heard it in days. It's one that I want to listen to, one that plays on repeat on my Spotify. 

Want to hear it?

Here it is: 

Jukebox the Ghost's "Hollywood."

Maybe I love it because it mocks the Hollywood version of love that society tells us to foolishly search for. No, not maybe. Definitely. 

I love this song because it points out how strange Hollywood love is, how we shouldn't seek that kind of love. It doesn't exist. 

We're in real life. 

Thankfully, I've been able to celebrate love with some friends this summer as they get married, and their love isn't that strange Hollywood infatuation love. It's real life love. It's messy. It's confusing. It's a decision to commit through the nowhere-near-glamorous days. It's selfless. It's better than that non-existent Hollywood love. And that's good. 

Here are the lyrics if you want to read through them and let 'em soak in.

If all the world's a stage,

then you're my favorite actress.

If all of life's a game,

I sure could use the practice.

(exhale)

I wouldn't call this a love song...

You want me pounding on the church doors,

singing from a street light.

Oh it's the kind of love that doesn't exist anymore,

you want Hollywood,

and this is real life.

I want to kiss to you in the pouring rain,

I say I loved you from the first

time I saw you.

It's a sure fire way to get you hard to break,

that's Hollywood,

and this is real life.

You want Hollywood.

If all the world's a stage,

then you're my favorite actress.

If all of life's a game,

I sure could use the practice.

Oh, I wouldn't call this a love song.

You want me pounding on the church doors,

singing from a street light.

Oh it's the kind of love that doesn't exist anymore,

you want Hollywood,

and this is real life.

I want to kiss to you in the pouring rain,

I say I loved you from the first

time I saw you.

It's a sure fire way to get you hard to break,

that's Hollywood,

and this is real life.

You want Hollywood,

and this is real life.

[Instrumental Break]

You want me pounding on the church doors,

singing from a street light.

Oh it's the kind of love that doesn't exist anymore,

you want Hollywood,

and this is real life.

I want to kiss you in the pouring rain,

I say I loved you from the first

time I saw you.

It's a sure fire way to get you hard to break,

that's Hollywood,

and this is real life.

You want Hollywood,

and this is real life.

What songs are you playing on repeat these days and humming to yourself throughout the day?