The Way It Is
Nicole Atkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My love's not the one that I want
That he's not the one that I need
I'd rather
Find out for myself
You're the one
Who shakes at the touch of my hand
But can't decide where he should stand
If I was smart
I'd never call you, call you
Ever again
Oh, in my ears
My blood is just roaring
When he's the only one I've ever wanted
I suppose that's just the way it is
Just think this could be
The last time I hold you, hold you
Ever again
Oh, I don't think I'll ever sleep till
Morning
Coz he's the only one I've ever wanted
Oh, and in my ears
My blood is just roaring
Coz he's the only one I've ever wanted
I suppose that's just the way it is
In Nicole Atkins's song "The Way It Is," the lyrics show an individual in love with someone who may not reciprocate those same feelings. The first verse shows the singer asking not to be told that the love they feel is not right or not enough, but rather they want to find out for themselves. The second verse shows the singer addressing the individual they love by describing their behavior as indecisive but also rather responsive to their touch. The singer admits that, even though it may be foolish, they cannot help themselves from wanting to call the person they love, but also acknowledges that it may be better if they didn't.
The refrain is where the emotions really come to the forefront, as the singer declares that the person they love is the only one they've ever wanted, and they cannot help but feel drawn to them despite any doubts or practical considerations. The final lines of the song suggest that it may be the last time the singer sees the person they love or holds them, and that their emotions will keep them awake and restless through the night.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Way It Is" capture the messy, unrequited feelings that can arise from love, and showcase the struggle of wanting someone who may not want you back.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't tell me
I don't want to hear anyone deny what I'm feeling
My love's not the one that I want
Don't try to tell me that I don't love the person I want to be with
That he's not the one that I need
Don't try to tell me that I don't need the person I want to be with
I'd rather
I prefer to
Find out for myself
Experience the situation and learn from it myself
You're the one
Referring to the person talking to in the song
Who shakes at the touch of my hand
The person talking to in the song is physically attracted to the singer
But can't decide where he should stand
The person talking to in the song is unsure about their feelings for the artist
If I was smart
The artist realizes what the best thing to do is
I'd never call you, call you
The artist knows that he is not good for her
Ever again
The singer should stop contacting the person and move on
Oh, in my ears
The artist hears
My blood is just roaring
The singer's body is demanding the attention of the person in question
When he's the only one I've ever wanted
The singer has only wanted this person in their life
I suppose that's just the way it is
The situation cannot be changed and the singer must accept it
Just think this could be
The artist is reflecting on their current situation
The last time I hold you, hold you
The last time the artist can be intimate with the person
Ever again
The singer realizes that they need to move on
Oh, I don't think I'll ever sleep till
The situation has affected the singer's sleep patterns
Morning
The end of the night, when the artist has to face reality
Coz he's the only one I've ever wanted
The artist cannot imagine being with anyone else
Oh, and in my ears
The artist still hears
My blood is just roaring
The singer still has intense feelings for the person
Coz he's the only one I've ever wanted
The artist cannot imagine being with anyone else
I suppose that's just the way it is
The situation cannot be changed and the singer must accept it
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brucewayne229
Don't tell me
My love's not the one that I want
That he's not the one that I need
I'd rather
find out for myself
You're the one
Who shakes at the touch of my hand
but can't decide where he should stand
If I was smart
I'd never call you, call you
ever again
Oh, in my ears
my blood is just roaring
when he's the only one I've ever wanted
I suppose that's just the way it is
Just think this could be
The last time I hold you, hold you
ever again
Oh, I don't think I'll ever sleep till
morning
Coz he's the only one I've ever wanted
Oh, and in my ears
my blood is just roaring
Coz he's the only one I've ever wanted
I suppose that's just the way it is.
@airjrdn1
Why isn't Nicole Atkins not a SUPERSTAR ?????????!!!!!!! A magical, powerful, sensual real voice unlike all the auto-tune robots out there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@vanessak.sanders1292
Exactly. How does she not have like 12 Grammys?????
@isaacyoselovsky3609
I heard and saw Ms. Nicole Atkins perform this song on David Letterman. Never knew of her prior. That Letterman performance was life changing to me Plus if you were familiar with Letterman I could watch on repeat not just the performance but how utterly taken Mr. Letterman was by it all. When I got married THIS was the song I walked down my aisle playing with a 9 piece orchestra. If I could have I would have hired Ms. Atkins to sing her song live as I walked down the aisle. As an Orthodox Jewess it's practically unheard of to walk down a wedding aisle to "English" music. When I requested the song by my wedding band they told me they've never heard of it and would see of they could do it. The arrangement is not a simple one. They did it and while I and my mom may have been the only ones who knew the song ; 14 years later I have tears in my eye and the hairs on the back of my neck still stand up. NICOLE is a superstar in my book. Thank you!
@adorablegs
Why in the world isn't she more famous? Gifted beautiful thing.
@cheryllyman8922
I saw her on Letterman years ago and thought by now she would be a world hit in any and every country!!! I'm so glad that at least she's here and still going!! I'm 73 and have always been a big music fan and she's the best!' Keep going Nicole!!❤️❤️
@Name-so9ns
I was settling in on a cross-country redeye when I half-asleep heard her belting this out on one of those inflight music playlists. And then I spent the remainder of the flight replaying the playlist just to hear this song again. Felt like death the next day but it was worth it!
@amk2000
You have a superb ear, Nicole is awesome.
@thedivaofddmandt9495
I saw that too! First time I ever saw her. WOW!
@noidph
Same! And same sentiments. First saw her on Letterman.😊🙏💕
@ThisIsBrianMcKnight
i will never have a woman sing and write a song about me like this woman did for some man who she loved or loves...i really don't know how to feel about that