[Intro: All]
No other sound is quite the same as your name
No touch can do half as much

[Chorus: Levi Stubbs, Jean Terrell, All]
But ain't nothing like the real thing, baby (Oh, there's nothing like it, baby)
Ain't nothing like the real thing (Just ain't nothing like it)
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby (There ain't nothing like it, babe)
Ain't nothing like the real thing

[Verse 1: Jean Terrell and Levi Stubbs]
I've got your picture hanging on the wall
But it can see or come to me when I call your name
I realise it's just a picture in a frame
I read your letters when you're not here
But they don't move me, they don't groove me
Like when I hear your sweet voice whisperin' in my ear
Ooh

[Chorus: Levi Stubbs, All]
But ain't nothing like the real thing, baby (Just ain't nothing like it, baby)
Ain't nothing like the real thing (No, no, no)

[Verse 2; Jean Terrell]
I play my games of fantasy
I pretend, but I know in reality
I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me
[Bridge: Levi Stubbs, Jean Terrell, and Both]
No other sound is quite the same as your name
No touch can do half as much
To make me feel better
So, let's stay together
Together (Ooh)

[Verse 3: Levi Stubbs and Jean Terrell]
I've got some memories to look back on
But though they help when you're gone, I'm well aware
Nothing can take the place of your being there, (Ooh, baby)

[Chorus: Jean Terrell, Levi Stubbs, and All]
So glad we've got the real thing, baby (I'm so, so, so, so glad)
So glad we've got the real thing (There ain't nothin' like the real thing)
Oh yeah
So glad we've got the real thing, baby
(I'm so glad)
So glad we've got the real thing (Oh yeah)
So glad we've got it, babe
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby (No, no, no)
Ain't nothing like the real thing (Ain't nothing like it, babe)
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby (No, no, no)
Ain't nothing like the real thing (No)