The couple met while attending Belmont College in Nashville, and immediately began collaborating on songs. While pursuing a record contract, Painter began playing in studio sessions for artists like dc Talk, Sixpence None the Richer, Indigo Girls, Jars of Clay, Nanci Griffith, and Jewel.
In 1994, the band recorded "Harder to Believe than Not To" for I Predict A Clone, a tribute album to Steve Taylor. The following year, the couple released their first album, Delusions of Grandeur on Universal Records. Friend and fan Ben Folds, who called Fleming and John the "Carpenters of the 1990s with Led Zeppelin's rhythm section", invited them to open for his band. They continue to perform and record with Folds from time to time. And during Ben Folds Five's success of "Brick" Fleming & John helped on a side project of Folds' called Fear of Pop. John still did a lot of the orchestrations for Folds' albums, from Whatever and Ever, Amen through Songs for Silverman. (Ben Folds himself played drums on a number of songs on the Delusions Of Grandeur album.) Recently, Painter produced Folds' ex-wife's record Frally. Painter also did a lot of work for the Hoodwinked animated film's soundtrack.
In 1998, Fleming and John released their second album, The Way We Are, which spawned a minor hit with the single "Ugly Girl".
The duo has what is essentially a secondary career as a cover band, providing recordings of other peoples songs for tribute albums, soundtracks and compilations. Songs covered by the band include "Winter Wonderland" (to the tune of Led Zeppelin's "Misty Mountain Hop"), "Eldorado" (Electric Light Orchestra), "California Dreamin'" (the Mamas and the Papas), "Somebody to Love" (Jefferson Airplane), "After the Lovin'" (Engelbert Humperdinck). A longtime concert favorite has been Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" to the tune of Zeppelin's "Black Dog".
The band has mainly laid dormant since the tour for The Way We Are completed in the late 1990s. However, their page on MySpace indicates that they are starting work on a new album in May, 2006.
The Way We Are
Fleming & John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you be the one for me if I lost my memory?
And would I look at you the way that I used to?
Would I fall in love all over again,
Or would I have to pretend?
Are we gonna stay the way we are?
Are we gonna break and fall apart?
Are we gonna stay the way we are?
I don't wanna break and fall apart,
Are we gonna make it through the shark infested water?
Hearts entrusted to each other
And I don't know what I'd do,
If I found out you were untrue.
Would I find it in my heart to forgive?
Would I be able to forget?
Will I be beautiful?
Or will I just be a fool?
Can you keep me fresh and young?
What if I make you deaf and dumb?
Are we gonna stay the way we are?
Are we gonna break and fall apart?
Are we gonna make it when our love is tested?
Are we gonna stay the way we are?
I don't wanna break and fall apart,
Are we gonna make it through the shark infested water?
Hearts entrusted to each other
Can we still have adventures,
When we're old and wear dentures?
Will you kiss me on the lips?
Do you think we'll dance with our plastic hips?
And when you look at me,
Will you see the girl you met when you were nineteen?
Will you see a lady with a limber heart,
Swimming in the water with the sharks?
Are we gonna stay the way we are are?
Are we gonna break and fall apart?
Are we gonna make it when our love is tested?
Are we gonna stay the way we are?
I don't wanna break and fall apart,
Are we gonna make it through the shark infested water?
Hearts entrusted to each other
In the song "The Way We Are" by Fleming & John, the singer poses several questions about the strength and longevity of a romantic relationship. The lyrics explore the idea of losing one's memory and wondering if the love between the couple would still exist in that scenario. The singer asks if they would still fall in love with each other or if they would have to pretend because the memory of their love was lost. The lyrics also touch on the fear of infidelity and doubt about whether forgiveness could be given if it were to happen.
The chorus repeats several times throughout the song, asking if their love can withstand the tests it may face. The singer addresses concerns about growing old together and how their love may change over time. Despite these uncertainties and doubts, the singer expresses a desire to continue to stay together and make it through any challenges that may arise, using the metaphor of swimming in shark-infested waters.
Overall, "The Way We Are" is a poignant exploration of the fears and doubts that can arise in a romantic relationship. The singer wonders if love can withstand the test of time and the challenges that may come their way, but ultimately expresses a desire to stay committed to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Would I need ya if I got amnesia?
If I couldn't remember who you are, would I still feel the same way about you?
Would you be the one for me if I lost my memory?
If I could no longer remember the love we shared, would you still be the one by my side?
And would I look at you the way that I used to?
If I couldn't remember our past, would I still have the same feelings for you in the present?
Would I fall in love all over again, Or would I have to pretend?
If my memories were wiped clean, would I still fall in love with you naturally, or would I have to pretend to feel the same way?
Are we gonna stay the way we are?
Are we going to remain happy and in love, or will things change?
Are we gonna break and fall apart?
Are we going to go through difficult times that might tear us apart?
Are we gonna make it when our love is tested?
When we face challenges, will our love be strong enough to overcome them?
I don't wanna break and fall apart,
I really don't want our love to fail.
Are we gonna make it through the shark infested water?
When things get really tough, will our relationship survive?
Hearts entrusted to each other
We've given each other our hearts, and it's up to us to take care of them.
And I don't know what I'd do,
I'm not sure how I would react
If I found out you were untrue.
If I discovered that you had been unfaithful to me.
Would I find it in my heart to forgive?
If you hurt me, would I be able to forgive you?
Would I be able to forget?
Would I eventually move on and forget what happened?
Will I be beautiful?
As I get older, will you still see me as beautiful?
Or will I just be a fool?
Will I become a joke in your eyes?
Can you keep me fresh and young?
Will our love keep us feeling youthful and alive?
What if I make you deaf and dumb?
If something happens to me that changes who I am, will you still love me?
Can we still have adventures,
As we grow older, can we still have exciting experiences?
When we're old and wear dentures?
As we age, will we still be close and in love?
Will you kiss me on the lips?
Will you still show affection towards me even when we're very old?
Do you think we'll dance with our plastic hips?
Will we still dance together even though our bodies have aged and changed?
And when you look at me,
When you gaze into my eyes
Will you see the girl you met when you were nineteen?
Will you still see me as the young and vibrant person you fell in love with?
Will you see a lady with a limber heart, Swimming in the water with the sharks?
Will you still see me as strong and adventurous even when we are both old?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FLEMING MC WILLIAMS, JOHN PAINTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind