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That's The Way It is
Ella Fitzgerald and Ink Spots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I tremble at your touch
I know I shouldn't
But that's the way it is

I want you oh-so much
I know I shouldn't
But that's the way it is

I can see so clearly
That we are worlds apart
But when you are near me
I can't see beyond my heart

I worship at your shrine
You said I shouldn't
But that's the way it is

I begged you to be mine
I said I wouldn't
But that's the way it is

I love you forever
Though it may never be
But that's the way it is
With a guy like me

I tremble at your touch
I know I shouldn't
But that's the way it is

I want you oh-so much
I know I shouldn't
But that's the way it is

I can see so clearly
That we are worlds apart
But, oh, when you are near me
I can't see beyond my heart

I worship at your shrine
You said I shouldn't
But that's the way it is

I begged you to be mine
I said I wouldn't
But that's the way it is

I'll love you forever
Though it may never be
But that's the way it is
With people like you and me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ella Fitzgerald’s “That’s The Way It Is” explore the complex emotions of a person who is deeply in love with someone but realizes that they may never be able to have a future together. The first verse highlights the singer’s intense physical attraction towards the person they love, even though they know they shouldn’t feel that way. The second verse focuses on the emotional distance between the two of them, recognizing that they might be simply too different to ever make it work. Despite this, when the person is close, the singer is unable to control their feelings.

The chorus repeats the refrain “But that’s the way it is” as a mantra to accept the reality of the situation. The third verse once again emphasizes the singer’s devotion to the other person - they worship the ground they walk on, even though the person themselves has cautioned them against it. The final part of the song acknowledges that the love that the two share may never be realized, but that they will continue to cling to it despite the odds.

Overall, the song is a moving portrayal of a love that is both passionate and bittersweet. The lyrics capture the push and pull of emotions that arise when we fall in love, even when it may not be practical or wise to do so.

Line by Line Meaning

I tremble at your touch
I feel nervous and excited when you touch me

I know I shouldn't
I'm aware that my feelings and actions may not be appropriate or healthy

But that's the way it is
I can't help the way I feel, even if it goes against what I know is best

I want you oh-so much
I desire you deeply and strongly

I can see so clearly
I understand and recognize the differences and obstacles between us

That we are worlds apart
Our backgrounds, experiences, and personalities are vastly different

But when you are near me
Despite the obstacles, being close to you is still important to me

I can't see beyond my heart
My feelings for you overpower my reason and logic

I worship at your shrine
I deeply admire and respect you

You said I shouldn't
You cautioned me against putting you on a pedestal or becoming too obsessive

I begged you to be mine
I pleaded with you to be in a romantic relationship with me

I said I wouldn't
I promised myself that I wouldn't pursue you or act on my feelings

I'll love you forever
My love for you is strong and enduring

Though it may never be
It's possible that we may never be together

But that's the way it is
The future is uncertain, but I can't help the way I feel

With a guy like me
As a person with my own flaws and limitations

With people like you and me
As individuals with different backgrounds and challenges

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEX C. KRAMER, JOAN WHITNEY, MARY BOURKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@thanhnhanphanle137

4y↑1

All comments from YouTube:

@2eleven48

1y↑1

A revelation. My deep thanks. Robert, UK.

@jayhimmelsbach7176

6w↑2

This tune was written by the same husband & wife team of singer Joan Whitney (aka: Zoe Parenteau) and Alex Kramer who wrote "Far Away Places (With The Strange Sounding Names)" for Bing Crosby ... and eventually evey recorded by Willie Nelson. (They also wrote "There Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens").
What a sweet version of "That's The Way It Is" by Ella and The Ink Spots! Two more distinguished vocal stylings and sounds would still be difficult to find all these years later.

@penpal4560

I'm surprised I found a comment from this old video just two days ago! glad to see there are still people who're into this

@shelbyh6372

4y↑6

I could keep this on repeat for a whole 24 hours

@franciscogutierrezsanin9010

40w

same for me

@Arbiters-Records

6y↑12

Love it when Ella and Bill get together and sing.

@virvisquevir3320

6y↑12

I really love this song, I know I shouldn't, but that's the way it is...

@petertaylor3600

4y↑2

Shouldn't….wouldn't....or couldn't. Of course you do and so do I.

@vkburke3402

4y↑1

I was messing w/stuff about a month ago, while listening to music, & for some reason, I hit the right click button, & lo & behold, stuff came up, 1 of them saying "loop" Wondering... I clicked on it AND didn't it "Loop", meaning replaying the song...I am one to want to listen to REAL favs over 'n over...so this is WONDEROUS for me. If you're like me, & didn't know, try it. Sorry this is sooo long, was trying to think how to phrase it...still missed, but I'm almost 78 yrs old...give me a little break, & forgive...Thanks to anyone looking at this, & forgiving. Or even seeing it.

@tiaarcher292

6y↑12

Bill and Ella...l'm in heaven x

@petertaylor3600

4y↑3

In a life of listening to singers like this, I have never heard clearer diction in a beautiful voice. I simply fell in love with this voice when I first heard it. (I'm not a Peter, even as I'm listed as a Peter. Most definitely female, so that should be clear.)psst.

@petertaylor3600

5y↑5

Another almost forgotten one. I haven't heard this since the time it came out. Thank you Austin, fabulous.

@PDIcomics

3y↑2

Are you still alive?

@petertaylor3600

3y↑1

@@PDIcomics If you mean ME, I'm not at all sure. I possibly am...

@petertaylor3600

3y↑1

Yep. Pinch test proves it!

@PDIcomics

@@petertaylor3600 How old are you?

@petertaylor3600

3y↑1

Awfully....awfully old. Not as old as that comment sounded, however. But during the 30s I was a baby/small child and these things were played on the radio for years. Even later in the 40s, don't forget. So, does that answer? Cheers!

4 More Replies...

@jean-lucbersou758

8y↑3

I discovered the Ink spots as I was a child with my mother's L.P.but didn't know they
have played with Ella ! the Finest Meeting for me : That's the Way it is ! thanks Mr.Casey

@arthemsia

3y↑2

every song of ella and the ink spots is awesome

@andrewhunt7328

5y↑3

Ella and Bill dream collab. I also ship them Love both of their music

@AustinCasey

11y↑7

No problem! It's one of my favorites as well. Thanks for enjoying! -Austin

@stephenwilliams1269

4y↑2

Timeless. Talented Artists that blessed us all.

@JazzzzlvrFU

4y↑1

Gotta love YouTube for preserving all this wonderful music. I'm hooked! Only thing I love more is my granddaughter. So much fabulous music! Extend the pandemic lockdown; I don' care.

@geraldinesutor6453

4y↑1

This is what I call a wow song with wow singers! Beautiful!

@michaelmederos9275

3y↑1

This is amazing it was differennt generation

@hildabusciglio

5y↑6

que maravilla inolvidable ella y the inks spots. musica extraordinaria , no como la de ahora.

@andaniel63

4y↑1

I love this music

@jdjking

10y↑5

Thanks for this gem. Great presentation.. Cheers!!!

@AustinCasey

9y↑1

Thank you Mr. Darling, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@jdjking

9y↑2

Your welcome, Mr Austin Casey. This is my music!

@Kingreddoberman

10y↑8

So many things are good about this tune.

@petertaylor3600

3y↑2

The voices for a start.

@petertaylor3600

3y↑1

A fairly standard, pop tune, this, but magic in the hands of somebody with a golden voice, who can inject such feeling into the words. I'm guessing that's the secret.

@mitchgrube2480

6y↑4

I really do not get why anyone would thumbs down this--must be a kid

@bobsharp6321

6y↑1

Mitch Grube or an idiot

@timbeckman1134

4y↑1

Or a boomer with tude. A rude, boom dude with a tude

@thanhnhanphanle137

4y↑1

@chuchu7831

12w

Thanks❤🙋‍♀️

@ChristopherScottDixon

7y↑2

TY for the upload, brilliant! :-)

@itamarnesher930

4y↑1

10/10

@MrRJDB1969

I'm holding this record in my hands right at this moment.... Decca # 23399 B (words and music by : Alex Kramer and Joan Whitney)

@luislebron7433

8y↑2

Te amo Genesis Alverio Colon

@oscarwillis6643

7y↑31

I bet this will be in fallout 5

@funnystuff9602

4y↑1

Oscar Willis better be

@sebastianlomeli1806

3y↑1

It has to be

@B_dale

3y↑1

@christiangarrison3208

Hope you are doing great Hannah!

@vkburke3402

Me again, need to say, you need to right click on the top PICTURE..to get "LOOP"

@robertchesnosky4689

7y↑8

this 1945 recording deserves to be better known. It was a b

@petertaylor3600

How often did this happen? The B side sells better and is far better than the one chosen as the A side. But, no doubt it's the quality of Bill Kenny's voice that did it. The others knew it but there was tension, which was a pity.