Story Behind The Song

So I'm in the recording studio with my wonderful drummer and he tells me how upset his wife is because they just learned their daughter is no longer a virgin. I started thinking about that rite of passage and how it looks so different, depending on one's vantage point (parent vs. passage-er). The original recording was produced by Bill McKinney, a musician and producer from the Detroit area and featured Bill along with Pat Schrein, an awesome drummer and singer. When I brought the song to Bill Bentley, as part of my musical memoirs, he suggested we re-record it. So this is "Welcome to the Real World" revisited.

Song Description

Acknowledging rite of passage into adulthood.

Lyrics

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD
Words and Music by Jill Detroit

You told a friend who told a friend who told a friend about it
Soon it found its way to me
I've no reason to doubt it
You've changed - you?re not a little girl
Running out in the world
It won't be the same anymore

Welcome to the real world
Dreams don't always come true
Welcome to the real world
Not everybody loves you
Out on your own, so far from home
It's cold out there in the real world

I hoped that I could hold you in the nest a little longer
Just to keep you safe and let you grow a little stronger
You ran like a moth to a flame
Playing some silly game
Do you know what you're heading for?

Welcome to the real world
Things don't always work out
Welcome to the real world
It's hard to talk about
How it feels on your own, so far from home
It's cold out there in the real world

Real world - dreams don't always come true
Real world - not everybody loves you
Real world - things don't always work out
That's what it's all about

As I told you once and as I'm about to remind you
There's no turning back once the door closes behind you
You'll see - you're not the only one
To do what you have done
And run through an opening door


Welcome to the real world - where all the rules have changed
Welcome to the real world - now doesn't it seem strange
To be out on your own, so far from home
It's cold out there in the real world