The Way We Were
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics


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Hey, you know, everybody's talkin' about the good old days, right
Everybody, the good old days, the good old days
Well, let's talk about the good old days
Come to think of it as, as bad as we think they are
These will become the good old days for our children, hum
Why don't we, ah

Try to remember that kind of september, when
When life was slow and oh, so mellow, hum
Try to remember, and if you remember then follow

Oh, why does it seem the past is always better
We look back and think
The winters were warmer
The grass was greener
The skies were bluer
And smiles were bright

Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
And if we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me
Would we
Could we

Memories, like the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were

Hahaa

Oh, can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
And if we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, haha
Would we
Could we

Memories, may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember




The way we were
Remember, the way we were

Overall Meaning

The song "The Way We Were / Try to Remember" by Gladys Knight & The Pips reflects on nostalgia for the past, while also acknowledging that time has a way of distorting memories. The lyrics discuss how people tend to look back upon the past with rose-tinted glasses, thinking that everything was better "back then." However, the song also acknowledges that memories can be painful and that people may choose to forget certain things. The lyrics encourage listeners to cherish the good memories and learn from the past, but also to recognize that the present and future can be just as enjoyable and fulfilling.


The first verse of the song sets up the theme of nostalgia for the past, with the repeated phrase "the good old days." The second verse introduces the specific memory of a September when life was slow and mellow, encouraging listeners to remember that time and follow along if they can. The third and fourth verses question whether the past was really as simple and perfect as people remember, with the lyrics suggesting that time may have "rewritten every line" and that things may have been more complicated than they seem. The chorus of the song is a reflection on memories, with misty watercolor memories evoking a sense of wistful looking back. The final verse puts a positive spin on the idea of remembering, encouraging people to focus on the laughter and good times rather than dwelling on the painful memories.


Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the human tendency to look back at the past with fondness, even if that fondness is sometimes misplaced. The lyrics encourage listeners to appreciate the present moment and to make new memories that will become the "good old days" of the future.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, you know, everybody's talkin' about the good old days, right
Many people are discussing the good old days


Everybody, the good old days, the good old days
Everyone talks about the good old days


Well, let's talk about the good old days
Let's discuss the good old days


Come to think of it as, as bad as we think they are
The supposed bad old days we think about, may not be as bad


These will become the good old days for our children, hum
What we consider as bad old days will become good old days for our children


Why don't we, ah
Why don't we discuss this?


Try to remember that kind of september, when
Remember that particular September, when life was pleasant


When life was slow and oh, so mellow, hum
When life was calm, and easy-going


Try to remember, and if you remember then follow
Think back, and if you recall those times, continue with me


Oh, why does it seem the past is always better
Why does it feel like the past was always superior?


We look back and think
We reminisce and ponder


The winters were warmer
We thought the winters were warmer


The grass was greener
We thought the grass was greener


The skies were bluer
We thought the skies were bluer


And smiles were bright
We remember people being happier


Can it be that it was all so simple then
Was everything really that simple in those times?


Or has time rewritten every line
Or has time altered how we remember those times?


And if we had the chance to do it all again
If we were given the opportunity to redo it


Tell me
Inform me


Would we
Would we do it?


Could we
Are we capable of doing it?


Memories, like the corners of my mind
Memories, like the hidden corners of my mind


Misty watercolor memories
Faint and hazy memories


Of the way we were
Of how we were in the past


Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Pictures that capture the happy moments shared


Smiles we gave to one another
The happy expressions we shared with each other


For the way we were
Because of how we were


Hahaa
Expressing joy


Memories may be beautiful and yet
Memories can be lovely but still


What's too painful to remember
The painful memories we choose to forget


We simply choose to forget
We choose not to remember those painful moments


So it's the laughter we will remember
We tend to remember the good times filled with laughter


Whenever we remember
Whenever we recollect


The way we were
How we used to be


Remember, the way we were
Remember how we were in the past




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: M Bergman, A Bergman, M Hamlisch

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@KevTJones

I have just had a conversation with my daughter on the phone, she turns eighteen in Feb 2024. We were talking about memories of her childhood, that she has. I suggested after this call listen to this track, she said she would. I found this version, here on Y.T . So here I am in tears. God bless you all who read this and understand the power of our Lord.

@raysmith6930

This song ,,,sung by Gladys Knight's Beautiful Voice brought me to Tears,,My Precious Mom has Alzheimer's, its the hardest thing to remember how she once was,,,and to see her struggle to Remember,,,,MOM I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART 😢

@flashdance5574

Oh my gosh you made me cry, I’m so sorry for your dear mum, god bless her, you too, take care❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰

@raysmith6930

My Heart goes to your Heart ,,, myself and my Sister are dealing with the same💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

@MsBrit_

DMX brought me here... RIP! 💔😢

@LA3.0

DMX documentary brought me to this masterpiece

@kevinfelder6729

That is how I learned it as well

@tupacshakur214

​@@kevinfelder6729 You guys got me feeling mad old. Listen to Wu Tang Clan - Can it be so simple

@kevinfelder6729

@@tupacshakur214 Until the documentary. I did not know the song they sampled

@Dubble-Trubble

Buddy,just finished watching the same dmx joint, and hit up youtube, peace ✌

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