A mongoose can smile at a cobra

But that cobra will always be a snake

Diamante can shine like a diamond

But you know, like I know

That rock will be fake



It's the real thing

The real thing

Nothing but the real thing

It's real



You can xerox the Mona Lisa

Deadpan Da Vinci in every detail

Might beat customs on a home-made visa

But false papers

Only gets you in jail



It's the real thing

The real thing

Nothing but the real thing

It's real



Life wears a smile on its face

But it comes with a sting in its tail

Make believe fables have their place

But only a fool. Only a fool

Believes fairy tales



I heard all the lies that they tell ya

'Phone me baby. The cheque's in the mail'

Well as fantasy. It may please ya

As the real thing

It does nothing but fail



It's the real thing

The real thing

Nothing but the real thing

It's real



It's the real thing

The real thing

Nothing but the real thing

It's real