Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
The Way
Blues Traveler Lyrics
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But I still wanted it to be
Do your homework like you should
Hoping something sets you free (What'll it be)
Afraid of ultimate decay
Never stopping but to rust
Eager to get it underway
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust (If you must)
And if you want to worship truth
And be it medicine, meditation or God or the evening news
Or a fairy tale I sing to you
And there's an answer when you pray
The way of things, there is a way
The way of things, there is a way
There is a way
By it you learn you will increase
A million ways to hear its voice
And you will finally feel aware
That you're a part of everywhere
You tell me God is dead
Well I say God always was
Life, death, living and dying all at the same time
You know, that's all it ever does
Could be God is our idea
And ideas never die
Created in its image
We seek its light from up on high (Give it a try)
And if you want to worship truth
And be it medicine, meditation or God or the evening news
Or a fairy tale I sing to you
And there's an answer when you pray
The way of things, there is a way
The way of things, there is a way
There is a way
The way of things, there is a way
By it you learn you will increase
A million ways to hear its voice
And you will finally feel aware
That you're a part of everywhere
I want to try to play the way
That R2-D2 beeps and squeaks and tells you everything
You know there's so much else to say
The infinite eternal chase
The quenching of the thirst
And if you want to worship truth
Be it medicine, meditation or God or the evening news
Or a fairy tale I sing to you
There is an answer when you pray
The way of things, there is a way
The way of things, there is a way
There is a way
The way of things, there is a way
By it you learn you will increase
You will affect your own release
A million ways to hear its voice
And in the end you've got no choice
You will finally feel aware
That you're a part of everywhere
And there's an answer when you pray
The way of things, there is a way
There is a way
The way of things, there is a way...
Blues Traveler's song "The Way" is a deep reflection of life, death, and the need for connection to something bigger than ourselves. The opening lines "Nobody told me it would be good, But I still wanted it to be" reflect on the human desire for happiness and good outcomes even though we know that life is full of ups and downs. The lyrics "Do your homework like you should, Hoping something sets you free" are a comment on the importance of doing the necessary work in life to achieve meaningful results. The theme of life's impermanence is also explored with the lines "Afraid of ultimate decay, Never stopping but to rust, Eager to get it underway, Ashes to ashes and dust to dust." This highlights the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of the time we have.
The song also delves into the concept of higher power and the search for truth. The lyrics "And if you want to worship truth, And be it medicine, meditation or God, or the evening news" suggest that truth can be found in many different ways and through various beliefs. The lines "Could be God is our idea, And ideas never die" question the existence of God and leave it to the interpretation of the listener. The repetition of "The way of things, there is a way" ties together the idea that there is a path or a reason behind everything that happens in life.
Ultimately, the song encourages the listener to embrace life and the unknown, to not be afraid of death, and to seek meaning in everything. The lyrics "You will affect your own release, And in the end, you've got no choice, You will finally feel aware, That you're a part of everywhere" convey a sense of acceptance and belonging to something greater.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody told me it would be good
I didn't receive any assurance that it would be good
But I still wanted it to be
Despite being unaware of how it would turn out, I still wanted it to be good
Do your homework like you should
Always perform due diligence in pursuing your aspirations
Hoping something sets you free (What'll it be)
Optimistically seeking freedom from current circumstances, and wondering what could possibly bring it about
Afraid of ultimate decay
Fearful of eventual decline and the inevitability of aging
Never stopping but to rust
Constantly moving forward, but slowly deteriorating with age and use
Eager to get it underway
Excited to start a new project or adventure
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust (If you must)
Acknowledging the fleeting nature of life, and implying that if we must return to dust, we might as well make the most of our time here
And if you want to worship truth
If you desire to cultivate honesty and authenticity in your life
And be it medicine, meditation or God or the evening news
Whether you choose to pursue inner peace through spiritual or intellectual means
Or a fairy tale I sing to you
Even if you choose to find comfort in fantasy or imagination
And there's an answer when you pray
Believing that prayer can lead to clarity of mind and purpose
The way of things, there is a way
Regardless of what path you take or how you choose to live your life, there is a way forward
The way of things, there is a way
Reiterating the idea that there is a path to be found in everything
There is a way
Affirming that there is always a way forward, even in difficult or uncertain times
By it you learn you will increase
Through the path you choose, you can gain knowledge and grow as an individual
A million ways to hear its voice
There are countless ways to find truth and meaning in life
And you will finally feel aware
Eventually, you will come to a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you
That you're a part of everywhere
Recognizing that you are connected to all living things and that your actions affect your surroundings
You tell me God is dead
Acknowledging the possibility that some people do not believe in a divine being
Well I say God always was
Expressing that God is ever-present and a fundamental part of life, whether or not one chooses to believe in a higher power
Life, death, living and dying all at the same time
Life and death are intertwined and happen simultaneously in every moment
You know, that's all it ever does
Suggesting that life and death are the only constants in existence
Could be God is our idea
The possibility that the concept of God might be a creation of our own imagination
And ideas never die
Ideas can persist and influence people long after their creator is gone
Created in its image
The idea that humans were made in the image of God, whether or not one chooses to believe this
We seek its light from up on high (Give it a try)
Attempting to find enlightenment and guidance from a higher power, and encouraging others to try it too
Be it medicine, meditation or God or the evening news
Reiterating that one can find truth and meaning in a variety of paths or sources
There is an answer when you pray
Faith that prayer can lead to understanding and guidance
You will affect your own release
Through the way you choose to live, you can find freedom from negative thoughts, emotions, and circumstances
And in the end you've got no choice
Asserting that despite our desire for control and agency, sometimes our choices are limited by external forces
You will finally feel aware
Through perseverance and self-reflection, you will become more cognizant of your own thoughts, beliefs, and actions
That you're a part of everywhere
Understanding that our existence on this planet is interconnected with all other living things
And there's an answer when you pray
Believing that prayer and other spiritual practices can bring clarity and guidance in life
The infinite eternal chase
The unending quest for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding
The quenching of the thirst
Finding satisfaction and contentment after pursuing personal desires and aspirations
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TEBEY OTTOH, SCARLET VIRGINIA KEYS, RICHARD BELMONT (MONTY) POWELL, ANNA WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind