The Way It Is
Hornsby Bruce & Range The 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
But don't you believe them
They say 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
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
But don't you believe them
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 another's mind
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
But don't you believe them
"The Way It Is" is a powerful song by Bruce Hornsby and the Range that speaks to the issues of poverty, racism, and inequality that have plagued American society for generations. The song tells the story of individuals who are struggling to make ends meet and get by, despite facing systemic barriers that prevent them from doing so. The opening lines of the song describe people waiting in line for welfare, highlighting the fact that many individuals are unable to find work or make a living wage.
The song also addresses the issue of racism and discrimination, with lyrics like "They say hey little boy, you can't go where the others go / 'Cause you don't look like they do." The idea here is that people are judged and discriminated against based on their appearance and skin color, rather than their abilities or character. This is further emphasized in the verse about the civil rights movement, where Hornsby points out that while laws were passed to provide more opportunities for people of color, there are still many societal barriers in place that prevent them from achieving true equality.
Despite the somber tone of the song and the bleak reality it paints, however, there is a glimmer of hope in the chorus. "That's just the way it is, some things will never change," Hornsby sings, "but don't you believe them." The idea here is that while there are systemic issues at play that are difficult to overcome, it's important to keep fighting for change and not give up hope.
Overall, "The Way It Is" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that resonated with many Americans when it was first released in 1986, and continues to speak to the issues of inequality and social justice today.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing in line marking time--
People are waiting in line for government assistance and not progressing in life.
Waiting for the welfare dime
The people in line need financial assistance from the government to survive.
'Cause they can't buy a job
The people in line are unemployed and are unable to support themselves.
The man in the silk suit hurries by
Wealthy people pass by those in need without acknowledging them.
As he catches the poor old ladies' eyes
The wealthy man purposely draws attention to himself from the poor ladies.
Just for fun he says "Get a job"
The wealthy man belittles the poor and unemployed people for his own entertainment.
That's just the way it is
Some things in this society will never be changed.
Some things will never change
There are things that will never change in society.
But don't you believe them
Do not accept the status quo, and fight for change if necessary.
They say hey little boy you can't go
The boy is being prevented from achieving his goals because of his appearance.
Where the others go
Others can go places that the boy cannot due to prejudice.
'Cause you don't look like they do
The boy is denied opportunities because he does not look like the others.
Said hey old man how can you stand
The old man is questioned for allowing societal norms to govern his life.
To think that way
The old man's restrictive beliefs are being challenged.
Did you really think about it
The old man is being asked if he has considered his beliefs before enforcing them on others.
Before you made the rules
The old man created societal rules that are now being questioned.
They passed a law in '64
A law was passed in 1964 to provide assistance to those who needed it.
To give those who ain't got a little more
The law was enacted to help those who are struggling financially.
But it only goes so far
The law does not solve all the problems of those in need.
Because the law another's mind
Racism and prejudice hamper the effective implementation of laws that seek to combat inequality.
When all it sees at the hiring time
Employers discriminate against job candidates due to their race or ethnicity.
Is the line on the color bar
The color of one's skin continues to result in discrimination in society.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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.