Billy Ray Cyrus (born William Ray Cyrus; August 25, 1961) is a Grammy Award… Read Full Bio ↴Billy Ray Cyrus (born William Ray Cyrus; August 25, 1961) is a Grammy Award-nominated American country music singer, songwriter and actor from Flatwoods, Kentucky, best known for his Number One single "Achy Breaky Heart". Cyrus, a multi-platinum selling recording artist, has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. His most successful album to date is the debut of Some Gave All, which has been certified 9× Multi-Platinum in the United States. The album also has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. In his career, he has released 29 charted singles, of which 15 charted in the Top 40.
From the year 2001 to 2004, Cyrus starred in the television show Doc. The show was about a country doctor who moved from Montana to New York City. In late 2005, he also began to co-star in the Disney Channel series, Hannah Montana, with daughter Miley Cyrus. The show has been on the air for three seasons.
The I'm American Songfacts reports that Billy Ray Cyrus’ twelfth studio album, I'm American is a collection of patriotic songs. It was initially scheduled to be released in November 2010, but after being pushed back numerous times, it finally came out on June 28, 2011.

Way It Is
Billy Ray Cyrus Lyrics

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Steve married Judy
And then they had two kids
The girl looked like her momma
And the boy looked just like him

The bells and the time and the daily crime seemed to drip away the bomb
Steve felt he was missing that, and got tired of hanging home
He came home late from work and just stood by the bed

Judy asked him why, he just passed and said

The way it isn't always easy, the way it isn't always fair
Now just because the way things are don't mean that I don't care
Now I've found someone who loves me
You know the feelings that I miss
But it's not the way I planned it
That's just the way it is

Steve picks up the children, every other Saturday
Tries to play the part time dad and make it all okay
Sea sauce and the hot dogs and the dripping ice cream cones
Sunday comes before they know, it's time to take them home
He doesn't have the answers lookin' in their teary eyes
He just tries to be strong and in his own way apologize

The way it isn't always easy, the way it isn't always fair
Now just because the way things are don't mean that I don't care
Know I'll always love you and I promise you'll be missed
But it's not the way I planned it
That's just the way it is

Steve steamed a romance, Steve ride into the rocks
He swallowed up all his pride and gave Judy's door a hug
Said I caused you pain with my selfish games
And the chances all I want
Judy just sluggard him and said I'm tired of hanging home
I cried for you, I cried for us and now I'm thinking about me
I don't quite know, how to tell you Steve

The way it isn't always easy, the way it isn't always fair
Now just because the way things are don't mean that I don't care
Well I've found someone who loves me, and is wonderful with kids
Though it's not the way I planned it
Steve I hope you understand it

That's just the way it is
Way it is

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Billy Ray Cyrus's "Way It Is" tells a story of a man named Steve who got married to Judy and had two kids with her. However, Steve started to feel dissatisfied with his life and the daily routine of work and family responsibilities. After finding someone else who loves him, Steve decides to leave his family and begins a new relationship, much to the dismay of his wife and children.

The song takes a look at the complexities of life and relationships, highlighting how things don't always go as planned. Steve's actions have consequences, and he struggles with the guilt and pain of leaving his family behind. Meanwhile, Judy must come to terms with her own emotions and try to figure out how to move on from the pain that Steve caused.

Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of the messiness of life and the difficult choices that people must make in order to find happiness, even if it means hurting others along the way.

Line by Line Meaning

Steve married Judy
Steve and Judy got married

And then they had two kids
They had two children, a girl who resembled her mother and a boy who resembled his father

The way it isn't always easy, the way it isn't always fair
Life is difficult and unpredictable

Now just because the way things are don't mean that I don't care
Just because things are not going as planned, it doesn't mean that Steve doesn't care

Now I've found someone who loves me
Steve has found someone else who loves him

You know the feelings that I miss
His new partner fulfills the emotional needs that were previously unmet

But it's not the way I planned it
His current situation is not how he envisioned his life would turn out

Steve picks up the children, every other Saturday
Steve only gets to see his children every other Saturday

Tries to play the part time dad and make it all okay
Steve does his best to be a good father during the limited time he has with his kids

He just tries to be strong and in his own way apologize
Steve tries to put on a brave face and apologize for not being around more

Know I'll always love you and I promise you'll be missed
Steve promises his children that he will always love them and will miss them

But it's not the way I planned it
Steve is again acknowledging that his current situation is not ideal

Steve steamed a romance, Steve ride into the rocks
Steve's attempts at romance failed and he hit a rough patch

Said I caused you pain with my selfish games
Steve admits that he hurt Judy with his selfish actions

Well I've found someone who loves me, and is wonderful with kids
Judy has found someone new who loves her and is great with the children

Steve I hope you understand it
Judy hopes that Steve can come to terms with the new arrangement