matty005
3x Platinum Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,407
|
Post by matty005 on May 28, 2015 21:28:09 GMT -5
While we could certainly split hairs and say ANY song is "Real Life" to somebody (Maybe Jerrod Niemann really did ride his Donkey to the Honky honky tonk). That's all it really is, split hairs. Most people and especially artists should have enough life experiences by the time they are in their mid 30's to sing about something more substantial then their neighbors pool and the Waffle House. To me, this lyric is saying a lot more than just that their neighbor's have a pool. It's portraying to me they might not have had a lot of money (hence buying RC Cola instead of Coke) but it wasn't like they were poor. They lived in a neighborhood that at least one family had enough money to have a pool. So to me, this line is saying they grew up like I did and a lot of my friends. We never were rich where we could go on trips every month or have the newest car, but we didn't have to worry about food on the table or losing our house. To me, I totally get the (what seems like) basic lyric.
|
|
someguy
Diamond Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 16,023
|
Post by someguy on May 28, 2015 22:46:46 GMT -5
While we could certainly split hairs and say ANY song is "Real Life" to somebody (Maybe Jerrod Niemann really did ride his Donkey to the Honky honky tonk). That's all it really is, split hairs. Most people and especially artists should have enough life experiences by the time they are in their mid 30's to sing about something more substantial then their neighbors pool and the Waffle House. To me, this lyric is saying a lot more than just that their neighbor's have a pool. It's portraying to me they might not have had a lot of money (hence buying RC Cola instead of Coke) but it wasn't like they were poor. They lived in a neighborhood that at least one family had enough money to have a pool. So to me, this line is saying they grew up like I did and a lot of my friends. We never were rich where we could go on trips every month or have the newest car, but we didn't have to worry about food on the table or losing our house. To me, I totally get the (what seems like) basic lyric. That's my take on it as well. I have to say, the more I hear this the more I like it. In a lot of ways, this song really reminds me of the way I grew up.
|
|
.indulgecountry
Diamond Member
Best Country Poster 2011, 2017, & 2018
"You left a mark on my face // And brought a dozen red flags in a vase"
|
Post by .indulgecountry on May 28, 2015 22:46:54 GMT -5
While we could certainly split hairs and say ANY song is "Real Life" to somebody (Maybe Jerrod Niemann really did ride his Donkey to the Honky honky tonk). That's all it really is, split hairs. Most people and especially artists should have enough life experiences by the time they are in their mid 30's to sing about something more substantial then their neighbors pool and the Waffle House. To me, this lyric is saying a lot more than just that their neighbor's have a pool. It's portraying to me they might not have had a lot of money (hence buying RC Cola instead of Coke) but it wasn't like they were poor. They lived in a neighborhood that at least one family had enough money to have a pool. So to me, this line is saying they grew up like I did and a lot of my friends. We never were rich where we could go on trips every month or have the newest car, but we didn't have to worry about food on the table or losing our house. To me, I totally get the (what seems like) basic lyric. I feel like what you're doing here though is trying your best at filling in a bunch of holes left by the song though. I don't get a good grasp on anything like that from these lyrics because your neighbor having a pool doesn't really say anything. It could've been one of those plastic ones from Wal-Mart, for all we know, and not having a pool doesn't equate to being poor either, nor does drinking off-brand soda instead of Coca-Cola. The song reads to me like he tossed a bunch of random, very basic observations like "we had green grass" and "the waitress has got real problems" and just strung them together without saying anything of value.
|
|
matty005
3x Platinum Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,407
|
Post by matty005 on May 28, 2015 22:58:31 GMT -5
To me, this lyric is saying a lot more than just that their neighbor's have a pool. It's portraying to me they might not have had a lot of money (hence buying RC Cola instead of Coke) but it wasn't like they were poor. They lived in a neighborhood that at least one family had enough money to have a pool. So to me, this line is saying they grew up like I did and a lot of my friends. We never were rich where we could go on trips every month or have the newest car, but we didn't have to worry about food on the table or losing our house. To me, I totally get the (what seems like) basic lyric. I feel like what you're doing here though is trying your best at filling in a bunch of holes left by the song though. I don't get a good grasp on anything like that from these lyrics because your neighbor having a pool doesn't really say anything. It could've been one of those plastic ones from Wal-Mart, for all we know, and not having a pool doesn't equate to being poor either, nor does drinking off-brand soda instead of Coca-Cola. The song reads to me like he tossed a bunch of random, very basic observations like "we had green grass" and "the waitress has got real problems" and just strung them together without saying anything of value. I could not disagree with you more. Saying we had green grass and two trees but it's not like it's on TV says a lot more to me than just, "we had green grass." It's telling me yeah we may have had green grass and a couple trees, but it's not like we lived in this stereotypical "TV" house/neighborhood like on "Leave It To Beaver" where we had a white picket fence and neighbors coming over and asking for sugar. It was just your typical, middle class neighborhood. Again, if you don't like or interpret the song as I do, it's totally cool. I feel like I understand what the song is saying and it resonates with me. I don't see myself as filling in holes, because I felt like this song made perfect sense on first listen.
|
|
sabre14
Diamond Member
Vince Gill & the Muppets make everything better
Joined: October 2013
Posts: 26,915
|
Post by sabre14 on May 31, 2015 20:04:30 GMT -5
"Real Life" debuts at #40 on MB.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2015 20:08:36 GMT -5
"Real Life" debuts at #40 on MB. I have him landing in the Top 30 falling short of Chase Rice but debuting due to the recurrents of Tyler Farr Keith Urban and Gloriana :'((RIP). Regardless good start for Jake Owen.
|
|
sabre14
Diamond Member
Vince Gill & the Muppets make everything better
Joined: October 2013
Posts: 26,915
|
Post by sabre14 on May 31, 2015 20:23:34 GMT -5
"Real Life" debuts at #40 on MB. I have him landing in the Top 30 falling short of Chase Rice but debuting due to the recurrents of Tyler Farr Keith Urban and Gloriana :'((RIP). Regardless good start for Jake Owen. This one will suffer the dreaded 8th day loss of spins and audience this week, so that will be a blow, but after that this should be fine. The official add date is still a week away.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2015 20:25:41 GMT -5
I have him landing in the Top 30 falling short of Chase Rice but debuting due to the recurrents of Tyler Farr Keith Urban and Gloriana :'((RIP). Regardless good start for Jake Owen. This one will suffer the dreaded 8th day loss of spins and audience this week, so that will be a blow, but after that this should be fine. The official add date is still a week away. So I'm assuming it got the same thing that Hunter and Luke got last week.
|
|
sabre14
Diamond Member
Vince Gill & the Muppets make everything better
Joined: October 2013
Posts: 26,915
|
Post by sabre14 on May 31, 2015 20:26:35 GMT -5
This one will suffer the dreaded 8th day loss of spins and audience this week, so that will be a blow, but after that this should be fine. The official add date is still a week away. So I'm assuming it got the same thing that Hunter and Luke got last week. Yes, same as Hunter; iHeartMedia stations. Luke's got a huge world premiere that was caused by iHeartMedia and other stations that saw huge gains for the entire week. His 8th day loss was substantial but unlike Hunter, Luke was very high up the chart where the drop wasn't as sharp.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on May 31, 2015 22:46:06 GMT -5
This is Real Disappointing.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2015 22:49:57 GMT -5
"Real Life" debuts at #40 on MB. I have him landing in the Top 30 falling short of Chase Rice but debuting due to the recurrents of Tyler Farr Keith Urban and Gloriana :'((RIP). Regardless good start for Jake Owen. Pretty good guess--I think you'll be right that Jake will be in the top 30. But I'm almost 100% positive Jake will be ahead of Chase Rice. Jake is already up to 8.828 million according to the Billboard RTT, and he's averaged about 400k a day the last 3 days at MB, so "Real Life" will probably finish with around 9.2 million on Billboard, give or take a bit; Chase was only around 7.7 million on the current Billboard chart, and he's increased by less than 200k in the last 6 days at MB, so he'll be lucky to crack 8 million on tomorrow's Billboard. I've got Kip Moore finishing around 9.2 mil as well (a photo-finish with Jake), with Sam Hunt around 9.4 mil, and Brett Eldredge maybe just short of 9.8 mil.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 1, 2015 8:03:20 GMT -5
I also hope H. charts this.
|
|
H.
5x Platinum Member
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 5,447
|
Post by H. on Jun 1, 2015 8:04:21 GMT -5
I also hope H. charts this. Haven't heard this yet. Sounds promising.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 1, 2015 8:04:56 GMT -5
I also hope H. charts this. Haven't heard this yet. Sounds promising. Not when most of the reviews on iTunes are 1 star
|
|
H.
5x Platinum Member
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 5,447
|
Post by H. on Jun 1, 2015 8:09:31 GMT -5
Haven't heard this yet. Sounds promising. Not when most of the reviews on iTunes are 1 star Oh my gosh this is great. I'm being serious too.
|
|
rsmatto
6x Platinum Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 6,527
|
Post by rsmatto on Jun 1, 2015 15:28:59 GMT -5
Haven't heard this yet. Sounds promising. Not when most of the reviews on iTunes are 1 star One star because many uninformed fans call this song "rap."
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2015 15:33:37 GMT -5
Not when most of the reviews on iTunes are 1 star One star because many uninformed fans call this song "rap." I think it's also after such high expectations with What We Ain't Got that many were dissapointed. That and it's all in spoken word verses which understandably people mistake for rap. Sadly
|
|
rsmatto
6x Platinum Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 6,527
|
Post by rsmatto on Jun 1, 2015 15:35:44 GMT -5
One star because many uninformed fans call this song "rap." I think it's also after such high expectations with What We Ain't Got that many were dissapointed. That and it's all in spoken word verses which understandably people mistake for rap. Sadly But given Jake's own catalog, could people really have expected him to release another song like "What We Ain't Got"? I mean, as brilliant as that song is (it is), he'd have been slaughtered if he released anything similar to it. This one's fine for what it is, a summer song. It also has a lot more "meat" to the lyrics than many people are giving it credit for.
|
|
.indulgecountry
Diamond Member
Best Country Poster 2011, 2017, & 2018
"You left a mark on my face // And brought a dozen red flags in a vase"
|
Post by .indulgecountry on Jun 1, 2015 15:37:33 GMT -5
Not when most of the reviews on iTunes are 1 star One star because many uninformed fans call this song "rap." You're right. It's not rap; it's more of a drunken slur really. Either way, I guarantee it's getting 1-star reviews because people don't like the song and it's misinformed of you to think otherwise, honestly.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2015 15:40:56 GMT -5
I think it's also after such high expectations with What We Ain't Got that many were dissapointed. That and it's all in spoken word verses which understandably people mistake for rap. Sadly But given Jake's own catalog, could people really have expected him to release another song like "What We Ain't Got"? I mean, as brilliant as that song is (it is), he'd have been slaughtered if he released anything similar to it. This one's fine for what it is, a summer song. It also has a lot more "meat" to the lyrics than many people are giving it credit for. I just think many people expected way too much. Besides I find the lyrics to be shallow with how he describes these ridiculous apparent "Real" situations can be off putting.
|
|
sabre14
Diamond Member
Vince Gill & the Muppets make everything better
Joined: October 2013
Posts: 26,915
|
Post by sabre14 on Jun 1, 2015 15:45:38 GMT -5
This song is just flat out unpleasant to listen to, for me anyway. Its certainly a song I can see many enjoying with the quirky lyrics and summer feel, but the vocal arrangement on this track is easily one of the most grating and annoying things I've heard on country radio recently.
|
|
rsmatto
6x Platinum Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 6,527
|
Post by rsmatto on Jun 1, 2015 16:08:05 GMT -5
One star because many uninformed fans call this song "rap." You're right. It's not rap; it's more of a drunken slur really. Either way, I guarantee it's getting 1-star reviews because people don't like the song and it's misinformed of you to think otherwise, honestly. Nope. Not misinformed. But I DO see where some of those people would dislike it outside of the spoken verses. Drunken slur though? Just...No. That being said, if that's what you think it is to you, so be it. ;)
|
|
Uncle Lumpy
3x Platinum Member
The poster formerly known as Lumpster
Joined: September 2005
Posts: 3,425
|
Post by Uncle Lumpy on Jun 1, 2015 16:23:18 GMT -5
Wow . Those reviews are right down scathing. Doing a quick run down of the reviews I didnt see anyone say it was rap particularly. But there was certainly alot of folks disappointed in the direction he seems to be heading regardless. And alot of those one stars seem to be coming from self professed Jake Owen fans.
|
|
kw9461
3x Platinum Member
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 3,764
|
Post by kw9461 on Jun 1, 2015 16:28:04 GMT -5
Wow . Those reviews are right down scathing. Doing a quick run down of the reviews I didnt see anyone say it was rap particularly. But there was certainly alot of folks disappointed in the direction he seems to be heading regardless. And alot of those one stars seem to be coming from self professed Jake Owen fans. Yeah but those folks were just misinformed...they thought they were going to hear a country song...
|
|
dm2081
7x Platinum Member
Joined: April 2014
Posts: 7,031
|
Post by dm2081 on Jun 1, 2015 19:27:48 GMT -5
Jake said that his main influence for this song was Sublime (just as I suspected in an earlier post) so that will explain why many aren't too big on this one. I think the song comes off naturally for Jake, but those who haven't seen him live will have a harder time seeing that most likely. I've seen him twice, and both times he covered Sublime. This song is essentially a mix of "Beachin'", country music, and Sublime. For me, that's an excellent combo, although I admit that I'm much more open to genre bending songs than others seem to be on here. Most country purists will not like this song (unless they also happen to like reggae/rock). Anyways, in the article he also talks about a song called "Everybody Dies Young", which he says is this album's "What We Ain't Got". It almost sounds as if they're already pegging that as the second single if this one can perform well for him. Source: link
|
|
onebuffalo
Diamond Member
#LiteralLegender
I am One Buffalo.
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 26,567
|
Post by onebuffalo on Jun 4, 2015 10:37:24 GMT -5
Real Life debuts at #6 on the digital songs chart with 29,000 sold. Congratulations, Jake Owen! #27 debut on the mongrel chart.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2015 22:30:13 GMT -5
So I listened to this for the first time last night...and I absolutely love it. Based on the comments here, I was expecting to hate it, but this one really works for me.
Now, having said that, I agree that it's obviously not a country song. I don't know what format it would be a better 'fit' on, but I do know that it would fit in much better elsewhere.
But here's the problem with that. Pop, HAC, any other format...they wouldn't touch this - because it's Jake Owen. He's seen as a country artist, and this song just doesn't have the cross-over appeal that a song like "Take Your Time" or even "Girl Crush" has. And so if Jake wants to record a song like this and release it as a single, really his only choice is to release it to his home format. There are a few exceptions -- for example, Zac Brown Band's "Heavy Is The Head" getting released to Rock and nowhere else -- but again, I just don't think that would work for someone like Jake Owen. He's signed to a Nashville-based label...I suppose one of the Sony New York labels could pick this up and promote it to other formats, but they have their own artists and songs to worry about...artists who actually are pop artists.
Radio is set up in a way that, if a primarily country artist wants to take a detour with a single every now and then, they'd still probably have more success with a non-country single at country radio than they would with a non-country single at non-country radio formats. I'm not saying it should be like that, but it is.
It sucks that this song will get more airplay than a lot of actual country songs will; I'm definitely not a fan of non-country singles taking airplay away from country songs. And even though I do like this song, I don't want to see the format keep heading in this direction. There's just not enough country on country radio anymore.
"Real Life" is certainly going to be quite polarizing (I've already seen evidence of that here but also with Jake's core fan-base), so I'm not sure how radio will take to it. It got off to a great start but that was only because of the iHeartMedia hourly spins. I think it'll take 3-4 weeks before we'll be able to have a better feel as to how this one will do at country radio. I could see it becoming a big hit, but I can also see it hitting a brick wall probably just inside the top 20, even if it sells (so basically, a similar situation to the polarizing "Little Red Wagon").
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2015 23:09:32 GMT -5
Silly Billboard. I just noticed that they are showing Jake with a bullet on tonight's chart, even though he lost 4.2 million and 261 spins. He's at #37, and they have the #37 in a dark circle indicating a bullet.
Obviously Jake is back to gaining again and will actually have a bullet again next week, but the #37 should have not been in a dark circle tonight. It should've been over a white background like EYB's "Turn It On".
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 9, 2015 9:40:19 GMT -5
Silly Billboard. I just noticed that they are showing Jake with a bullet on tonight's chart, even though he lost 4.2 million and 261 spins. He's at #37, and they have the #37 in a dark circle indicating a bullet. Obviously Jake is back to gaining again and will actually have a bullet again next week, but the #37 should have not been in a dark circle tonight. It should've been over a white background like EYB's "Turn It On". Jake probably got the bullet because he got a 'breaker' award.
|
|
onebuffalo
Diamond Member
#LiteralLegender
I am One Buffalo.
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 26,567
|
Post by onebuffalo on Jun 29, 2015 9:05:35 GMT -5
|
|