REAL LIFE: SEND ME AN ANGEL

"This is for Jay Johnson Please evaluate. I just broke up with my g-friend and this song seems to be speaking to me. What does this mean?"
Garfield Sphinx, Tulsa, OK

(Real Life)


Garfield,

You’re definitely not alone, as “Send me an Angel” has offered solace to many a broken-hearted lover. Real Life, an Australian based hair band, really pulled at the heartstrings with this epic offering, as it captures, and frees, the oppressive angst that so often accompanies a messy break up.

In the first few verses Real Life exquisitely explores the dichotomy between love and pain with the unorthodox, and truly innovative, rhyme scheme of:

[AA B CC] Do you believe in heaven above,
Do you believe in love?
Don't tell a lie
Don't be false or untrue
It all comes back to you

[A B CC D] Open fire on my burning heart
I've never been lucky in love
My defenses are down
A kiss or a frown
I can't survive on my own

[A B CC D[ If a girl walks in
And carves her name in my heart
I'll turn and run away
Everyday we've all been led astray
It's hard to be lucky in love

[AA BB CC] It gets in your eyes
It's making you cry
Don't know what to do
Don't know what to do
Looking for love
Calling heaven above


Classically trained poets sometime contend that this rhyme scheme is juvenile and just wrong. However, we know front man David Sterry was ahead of his time and simply pushing the boundaries of syntax and expression, which leads us to the immortal Chorus:


Send me an angel
Send me an angel
Right now right now

In the words of the Guiness guys, “BRILLIANT”. Do I really need to say much more? “Send me and angel, send me an angel, right now, right now”, sometimes songwriters seem to have a little Shakespeare running through their veins, this is obviously one of those times.

The following stanza sums up this intellectual roller coaster with a ray of decided optimism:

Empty dreams can only disappoint
In a room behind your smile
But don't give up don't give up
You can be lucky in love

Throughout the song Real Life lets you know they have felt the pangs of heartbreak that are currently afflicting you. You gain their trust as they eloquently question the veracity of love. But through their lyrics and power chords, they come to the final conclusion that, “You can be lucky in love.”

So, Garfield, while you fight through this time of change in your life, remember that hope still exists, and hopefully someone will send you an angel in the near future.

Best Regards,
Jay Johnson