1990 | Peak: #3
Some songs seem so obvious that it’s amazing nobody ever wrote them before. “Here in the Real World” is one of those songs.
The conceit is bloody well brilliant, what with the juxtaposition of reality and fiction, but none of its intelligence would matter without the heartbroke sincerity that gives it its simplicity.
Which is a roundabout way of saying this is damn good country song, and it’s a little scary that Jackson was this good two singles into his career.
Written by Mark Irwin and Alan Jackson
Grade: A
Listen: Here in the Real World
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mKkTm38w3E
Agreed 100%
My favourite Alan Jackson song and one of my favourite songs of all time ever since I was a kid. I just love the “cowboys don’t cry and heroes don’t die line”. :)
I think it’s easily the best ballad and arguably the best song on his first greatest hits collection which was released in 1995 and contained 20 songs.
This is a true classic.
I totally agree
George Jones also does a killer version of this on his “Hits I missed” album. Gives the hook line a terrific little melodic twist, as he tends to do…