The rest of the band included lead singer Jim Kerr, guitarist Charlie Burchill who also took up keyboards, and drummer Mel Gaynor.

Stephen Lipson, who had co-produced Street Fighting Years produced the album and also played some bass parts.

[8] "Let the Children Speak" is based on the 1981 Simple Minds instrumental "Theme for Great Cities" from Sister Feelings Call.

A re-recorded version of that piece, called "Theme for Great Cities '91", appeared as a B-side of the "See the Lights" single.

"[13]AllMusic's Alex Henderson opined: "Real Life isn't terrible, but play it next to any of [the band's previous three] albums, and you're reminded how much less inspired their writing had become by the early '90s.