The Real Thing

Amanda, I know what you're thinking
You and I have much to say
And you've been making me crazy
Trying to understand
But it's impossible at your age
I know I said I'll always try
But you're going to bed alone again tonight
And you lie there in the dark and wonder why.

I did it for you, and the boys
Because love should teach you joy
And not the imitation
That your momma and daddy tried to show you
I did it for you, and for me
And because I still believe
There's only one thing
You can never give up
Never compromise on
And that's the real thing you need in love.

You're so afraid your life is over
And nothing I can say can change your mind
How can anybody be so selfish
And treat you all so cruel
Go on and scream at me and cry
I'll always hold you in my soul
And I'm never going to leave you all alone
But your daddy doesn't live here anymore.

I did it for you, and the boys
Because love should teach you joy
And not the imitation
That your momma and daddy tried to show you
I did it for you, and for me
And because I still believe
There's only one thing
You can never give up
Never compromise on
And that's the real thing you need in love.

Everybody's got a boat upon the ocean
Not everybody's sailing out to sea
And is there someone there for me?
I'm ready to believe.

I did it for you, and the boys
Because love should teach you joy
And not the imitation
That your momma and daddy tried to show you
I did it for you, and for me
And because I still believe
There's only one thing
You can never give up
Never compromise on
And that's the real thing you need in love.