 " 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 . 
