Exploring themes of nostalgia and the passage of time, "Is It Real" by Bombay Bicycle Club delves into the longing for simpler times and the discomfort of rapid change. The repetitive questioning, "Is it real?" reflects a sense of disbelief or denial about the current state of affairs, perhaps indicating a struggle to accept reality as it is now. The lyrics suggest a yearning to rewind life to moments of clarity and happiness, yet there's also an acknowledgment of inevitability in change, as indicated by phrases like "look the wrong way when I'm moving too fast." This song captures the bittersweet nature of reminiscence and the human desire to hold onto fleeting moments amidst life's relentless forward momentum.
