"Exactly Nothing" by Real Estate

“Exactly Nothing” by Real Estate (NJ-based band) is an indie song about all kinds of passivity, same old routine and being in a transition state in life, maybe even being stuck in it – and maybe that's all fine. It also fits a specifically New Jersey kind of atmosphere: driving around aimlessly, looking out at familiar roads and neighborhoods and getting lost in your thoughts without needing anything dramatic to happen. Overall, the song turns that everyday culture of movement, boredom and reflection into something calm, restrained and recognizable. One of my favorites (I believe it's from 2012) that was re-released last year in a B-side collection. I wish they had played it when I saw them live in the summer of 2017.

Have you seen the ocean
Move under the night sky
over people's envy?
Means exactly nothing, nothing to me.

Oh, it's not enough for you
Oh, you want to hold it too
Oh, you want the night and day
Oh, you know you can't have it both ways

Have you seen the treetops
Move under the blue sky
over people's envy?
Means exactly nothing, nothing to me.

Oh, it's not enough for you
Oh, you want the sun and moon
Oh, you want the night and day
Oh, you know you can't have it both ways

Have you seen the ocean
move under the night sky?