Seems that all I really was doing/
Was waiting for you.
“Real Love” has a bizarre history. It was recorded by John Lennon but it was never official released. However, bootleg copies existed for years. Twenty or so years after his death The Beatles decided to take his demo and “officially” supe it up and release it as a Beatles song. I didn’t like it. It was overproduced and didn’t feel like a Beatles song or a John Lennon song. I forgot about the song.
Years later I hear a beautiful song by Regina Spektor called “Real Love” and it becomes one of my favorite songs of hers. I never put two and two together that they were the same song. Her interpretation is that much better. That might sound like sacrilege, but it’s my truth.
What makes Spektor’s version great, is that it sounds like she is singing from the heart. Some of the early Lennon demo work captured this, but with Spektor we feel like she wrote the words and it means something to her as she says them. Her interpretation with just a piano shows off her delicate voice and unique piano stylings. I have no idea if this is even a part of her repertoire at her concerts, but it may be her best work. (And she has many great songs).
Real Love Lyrics
All my little plans and schemes
Lost like some forgotten dreams
Seems that all I really was doing
Was waiting for you
Just like little girls and boys
Playing with their little toys
Seems like all we really were doing
Was waiting for love
Don’t need to be alone
No need to be alone
It’s real love
It’s rea-ea-ea-ea-eal
Yes, it’s real love
It’s rea-ea-ea-ea-eal
From this moment on I know
Exactly where my life will go
Seems that all I really was doing
Was waiting for love
Don’t need to be afraid
No need to be afraid
It’s real love
It’s rea-ea-ea-ea-eal
Yes, it’s real love
It’s rea-ea-ea-ea-eal
Thought I’d been in love before
But in my heart I wanted more
Seems like all I really was doing
Was waiting for you-ou-ou-ou
Don’t need to be alone
No need to be alone
It’s rea-ea-eal love
(Yes) It’s rea-ea-ea-ea-eal
(Yes) It’s rea-ea-eal love
It’s rea-ea-ea-ea-eal
Songwriters: John Lennon