"The Real Thing" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in May 1994 by Byte, Zyx and PWL as the first single from their third album, Real Things (1994). The song is co-written by band members Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels, and scored chart success in many European countries. It topped the charts in Finland, Lithuania and the Netherlands, while peaking at number two in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland. The song also was a top-10 hit in Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Spain and the UK. It entered the Eurochart Hot 100 on 28 May at 30 and peaked at number-one three weeks later. Outside Europe, it peaked at number two in Israel and number 39 in Australia. The music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss, and received heavy rotation on music television channels, such as MTV Europe and VIVA.

"The Real Thing" is written by Phil Wilde and Peter Bauwens with band members Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels, while Wilde and Jean-Paul De Coster produced it. The song contains samples of Toccata and Fugue in D minor by German composer and musician Johann Sebastian Bach.^[2] According to classicfm.com, it is considered one of the biggest pop songs to sample classical music in the last 25 years."^[3]

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton found that "The Real Thing" "is just what you would expect from 2 Unlimited. Fast, frantic and fatuous it's still enough to give them an eighth Top 10 hit out of 10 chart singles".^[4] A reviewer from Music & Media commented, "In no time, chart positions are reported from the UK, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Denmark. With this ABBAesque pop dance chorus many territories will follow."^[5] Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song four out of five, writing that here, "[2 Unlimited] plough their usual frantic and bouncy techno furrow. The male rap/female singing combination still serves them well and, as usual, this is Top 10 bound."^[6] Stuart Bailie from NME commented, "Imagine Bach writing his 'Toccata and Fugue in D minor' if he was rammed to the gills on turbo-power disco biscuits and allowed access to every crap rave slogan of the last five years."^[7]

Scottish Perthshire Advertiser said, "They've found a new formula yet, but it'll still be a smash!"^[8] In an retrospective review, Pop Rescue noted that "it's clear here that 2 Unlimited were packing a punch with this song 'and we're not gonna stop until we reach the highest top', sings Anita."^[9] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update declared it as a "typically cheesy frantic pop galloper".^[10] Tim Marsh from Select stated that it "has a funky key riff".^[11] Tom Doyle from Smash Hits gave it three out of five, commenting, "ditching their heavy heavy techno techno for a bit of a housey classical vibe, the 'Limited look set to continue their near unblemished run of chart hits."^[12]

"The Real Thing" peaked at number one in Finland, Lithuania and the Netherlands, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100. The single reached number two in Belgian Flanders, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as on the European Dance Radio chart,^[13] being held off the number-one position by "Ease My Mind" by Arrested Development. "The Real Thing" was also a top-10 hit in Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it reached to number six on 22 May 1994, during its second week on the UK Singles Chart,^[14] while peaking at number 12 on the UK Dance Singles Chart. In addition, the song was a top-20 hit in Iceland, reaching number 14. Outside Europe, "The Real Thing" peaked at number two in Israel, number 22 in New Zealand and number 39 in Australia. According to Billboard, the single has sold 633,000 copies worldwide as of 1996.^[15]

"The Real Thing" entered the European airplay chart Border Breakers at number 12 on 4 June due to crossover airplay in East Central-, West-, Central-, Northwest- and North-European regions, and peaked at the third position on 2 July.^[16]

The accompanying music video for "The Real Thing" was directed by Nigel Simpkiss and produced by Swivel Films.^[17] It was released in the UK in May 1994, receiving heavy rotation on MTV Europe^[18] and Germany's VIVA, where it was A-listed.^[19] Slijngaard told Melody Maker, "The new look's a bit 'Terminator'. There's a guy on skates with, uh, all computer things and lights, and those two [Steve and Claire, the 2U dancers] are just boogieing away. It's gonna be fast, you know?"^[20]