 "The Real Thing" was written by Gwen Stefani, Linda Perry and Gavin Rossdale, who is credited as "GMR" on the album's booklet, while production was done by Nellee Hooper and Mark "Spike" Stent. New Order vocalist Bernard Sumner and bassist Peter Hook also contributed to the song while music duo Wendy & Lisa were in charge of providing guitar and keyboards respectively. The song has two versions: the first is a mid-tempo Europop and synthpop ballad, and the second, which is a slow version remixed by Wendy & Lisa called: "Wendy & Lisa Slow Mix". Lyrically, the song discusses mutual love between a couple.
