The Way It Is
Bruce Hornsby and The Hange Lyrics
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Waiting for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't buy a job
The man in the silk suit hurries by
As he catches the poor old ladies' eyes
Just for fun he says, "get a job"
That's just the way it is
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them
Said, "Hey little boy, you can't go where the others go
'Cause you don't look like they do"
Said, "Hey old man, how can you stand
To think that way?
Did you really think about it
Before you made the rules?"
He said, "Son
Well, that's just the way it is
Some things'll never change
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them"
Mm, yeah
(That's just the way it is)
(That's just the way it is) well, they passed a law in '64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because the law don't change another's mind
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar, no, no
That's just the way it is
And some things'll never change
But that's just the way it is
That's just the way it is, it is, it is, it is
The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby & the Range presents a commentary on the social and economic inequality sadly prevailing in our world. The song depicts the reality of people waiting in line to receive welfare and unable to find employment. Meanwhile, the privileged class sees them with contempt and suggests that if they wanted to work, they could have achieved it. The song points out how the people in power have created and perpetuated a system that works for them but hinders the marginalized and oppressed. The song further touches the issue of racism by referencing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was a crucial legislation in the movement for racial justice in the US. The lyrics suggest that even though the legal framework has changed, the societal discrimination based on race, socio-economic status, and appearance remains as before.
The chorus of the song reiterates the fact that the way things are is not the way they ought to be. It declares that things will stay the way they are until people start believing what they see, stand up for what is right, and work towards freedom and inclusion for all. Hornsby sings about the cyclical nature of injustice, where some things will never change despite efforts for reform. He emphasizes the need for individuals to stay critical of structures of power and authority and not let themselves be deluded by false narratives.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing in line, marking time
Waiting in a long queue, taking up one's precious time
Waiting for the welfare dime
Anticipating financial aid from the government
'Cause they can't buy a job
Individuals are struggling to secure jobs due to various reasons
The man in the silk suit hurries by
A wealthy individual is passing by in a fancy suit
As he catches the poor old ladies' eyes
He grabs the attention of some senior citizens who are financially struggling
Just for fun he says, "get a job"
As a joke, the rich man tells the old ladies to find employment
That's just the way it is
Some things are unchangeable
Some things'll never change
Certain circumstances remain unaffected
Ah, but don't you believe them
However, one shouldn't fall for that illusion
Said, "Hey little boy, you can't go where the others go
A child is being told he can't do something because of the way he looks
'Cause you don't look like they do"
As an outcast who doesn't fit in, he is deemed different
Said, "Hey old man, how can you stand to think that way?
An elderly person is questioned about his beliefs and ideologies
Did you really think about it before you made the rules?"
Was his thought process sound while creating rules?
He said, "Son
The elderly person replied
Well, that's just the way it is
The situation is just as it appears
Mm, yeah
An expression indicating a contemplative mood
(That's just the way it is)
Repetition of the fact that certain things are unchangeable
(That's just the way it is) well, they passed a law in '64
Referencing a law passed in 1964
To give those who ain't got a little more
The intent of the law was to aid those who were financially deficient
But it only goes so far
However, the effect of the law is limited
Because the law don't change another's mind
The law won't make people think differently
When all it sees at the hiring time
During the employment time, all they see is
Is the line on the color bar, no, no
Basing hiring/firing decisions on race and ethnicity
That's just the way it is
This is one of the unchangeable things in life
And some things'll never change
The status quo persists
But that's just the way it is
But that's just the way it is
That's just the way it is, it is, it is, it is
Repeating the fact that some things in life are simply unalterable
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bruce Hornsby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Digman77
Anybody listening in 2024
@robertlinear2698
Yesss always! This NEVER goes out of style ❤
@robertlinear2698
He killed those 88s!
@mikamydog
Bought a $55 concert ticket for September. Excited to see him perform
@Digman77
@@mikamydog that’s awesome!!
@mikamydog
@@Digman77Can't believe he's only charging that much as opposed to current acts less talented than he is.
@user-qn3eo4hx7z
I'm black and my 25 year old son asked me why I was listening to this. I said its great music and the base of alot of the hip-hop you are listening to. He told me I was old and crazy.
I then played Tupac's changes. And asked him how crazy am I. 🤣
@wutang6020
Try Pete and bas 😉 everything you just said there in a nut shell 👌😊
@karensweeden5038
Music is color blind,just the way it is,God bless you
@HitsFromThePast
@@karensweeden5038 Not to MTV in the early 1980s but that was the way it was.