Song#: 1685
Date: 11/12/1983
Debut: 95
Peak: 29
Weeks: 19
Genre: Synthpop, New Romantic
Pop Bits: Formed in Melbourne, this Aussie band spent some time working the clubs and gathering a following before getting a record deal that resulted in their debut album Heartland. This first single put them on the map and reached #6 in Australia while hitting #1 in New Zealand. The success of the song got them a US distribution deal with Curb/MCA and near the end of '83 the single was issued. Although it wasn't a huge hit, it did well reaching the Top 30 (#18 Rock, #54 Dance). The album was well-received and it got to #58 on the US Album chart. This track would end up getting a second chart life later in 1989 in a remix version that would do slightly better reaching #26 at Pop and #5 Dance.
ReduxReview: This song didn't really hook me when it first hit the chart. Like several songs from the 80s that I kind of missed or ignored on the initial go-around, I ended up liking it thanks to its inclusion years later on a couple CD compilations. It takes a minute for this song to rev up, but once the chorus hits, its spooky vibe sounds pretty great. Both of its chart runs ended up in a Top 30 showing, but it really should have done better.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: When the digital song service Napster was still active, the artist for this song was misidentified. Instead of Real Life, the song was listed as by the Pet Shop Boys. Even though the Pet Shop Boys' first hit was still about two years ahead of this song, the timeline didn't matter to folks and the song started to get associated with that duo instead of Real Life. There still exists some lyric sites and even a YouTube video that mistakenly credits the song to the Pet Shop Boys.
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