Although the death of drummer John Bonham ended all official Led Zeppelin activity, the pair reunited in the mid-90s, firstly touring radically reworked versions of Zeppelin classics (documented on the Unledded DVD and No Quarter album), then producing a full album of new, original material recorded by Steve Albini and entitled Walking Into Clarksdale.
That's The Way
Jimmy Page & Robert Plant Lyrics
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I can't play with you no more
I don't know how I'm gonna do what mama told me
My friend, the boy next door
I can't believe what people saying
Gonna let your hair hang down
I'm satisfied to sit here working all day lo-o-o-ong
And when I'm out I see you walking
Why don't your eyes see me
Could it be you've found another game to play
What did mama say to me
That's the way
Oh, that's the way it ought to be, ahh-ohh, ohh-ahh, ahh-ahh, ohh-ohh, don't you know
Mama said, ohh, mama said
That's the way it ought to stay, ohh-hoh
And yesterday I saw you standing by the river
And weren't those tears that filled your eyes
And all the fish that lay in dirty water dying
Had they got you hypnotized
And yesterday I saw you kissing tiny flowers
But all that lives is born to die
And so I say to you that nothing really matterrs
And all you do is stand and cry
I don't know what to say about it
When all your ears have turned away
But now's the time to look and look again at what you see, ohhh
Is that the way it ought to stay
That's the way
Ohh, that's the way it oughta be, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, no-no-no
Oh, don't you know now
Mama said, oh, mama said that's the way it's gonna stay, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, ohhh
Ahhh ahhh ahhh ahhhhhh
Ahhh ahhhhh
The opening verses of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant's song 'That's The Way' convey a sense of resignation, as the singer struggles with the tension between doing what society and family expect, and following his own desires. He laments that he cannot continue playing with a friend, the boy next door, yet observes that his friend has found other games to play. The singer also acknowledges that people are talking about his friend's behavior and encourages them to let loose and enjoy themselves. The chorus, with its repeating phrase 'that's the way it ought to be,' represents an acceptance of the way things are, despite some underlying dissatisfaction.
The song's second half is more melancholic, with the singer moving from observing his friend's behavior to commenting on the wider world. He questions the futility of kissing tiny flowers that are doomed to die, and notes that even the fish in the polluted river are dying. The repeated phrase 'nothing really matters' is a poignant reminder of the inevitability of death and the brevity of life. The final verse returns to the theme of observing and questioning, as the singer encourages listeners to take a fresh look at what they see and consider whether it is the way things ought to be. The song ends with a haunting refrain of 'ahh's.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know how I'm gonna tell you
I am unsure of how to communicate to you
I can't play with you no more
I am not able to continue being with you
I don't know how I'm gonna do what mama told me
I am uncertain of how to follow my mother's advice
My friend, the boy next door
The person I used to be close with
I can't believe what people saying
I find it difficult to accept the rumors going around
Gonna let your hair hang down
You are going to let loose and live freely
I'm satisfied to sit here working all day lo-o-o-ong
I am content with my mundane daily routine
You're in the darker side of town
You reside in an unsafe part of the city
And when I'm out I see you walking
I often run into you when I'm outside
Why don't your eyes see me
You do not acknowledge my presence
Could it be you've found another game to play
Perhaps you have found another interest or hobby
What did mama say to me
What advice did my mother give me?
That's the way
This is how things are
Oh, that's the way it ought to be, ahh-ohh, ohh-ahh, ahh-ahh, ohh-ohh, don't you know
This is how society believes things should be, don't you realize?
Mama said, ohh, mama said
My mother advised me
That's the way it ought to stay, ohh-hoh
This is how things should remain
And yesterday I saw you standing by the river
Yesterday I observed you standing beside the river
And weren't those tears that filled your eyes
I noticed tears streaming down your face
And all the fish that lay in dirty water dying
The fish in the unclean water dying
Had they got you hypnotized
Did they have you entranced?
And yesterday I saw you kissing tiny flowers
Yesterday I saw you kissing small flowers
But all that lives is born to die
All living things are destined to perish
And so I say to you that nothing really matterrs
I believe that ultimately, nothing holds significant importance
And all you do is stand and cry
All you do is stand there and weep
I don't know what to say about it
I am unsure how to respond to this
When all your ears have turned away
When everyone has ignored or refused to listen to you
But now's the time to look and look again at what you see, ohhh
But it is the time to reassess your perspective on what is happening around you
Is that the way it ought to stay
Is this how things should remain?
Ohh, that's the way it oughta be, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, no-no-no
This is how people believe things should be, that is why nothing can change the status quo
Mama said, oh, mama said that's the way it's gonna stay, oh-hoh, oh-hoh, ohhh
My mother warned me that this is how things are, and no efforts will change it
Ahhh ahhh ahhh ahhhhhh
Vocalization of melody
Ahhh ahhhhh
Vocalization of melody
Lyrics Ā© OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cyber 101
The sound of Jimmy Page's guitar is just magical. Gorgeous song!
Elaine Goliszeski
Amen!
Rob Cross
I love this song - it reminds me of Summer days. One of of Led Zep's best
vertstang123
Cold chills. Jimmy Page on the 12 string is like magic.
Michael Andrew Taylor
Still shocked that John Paul Jones the Glue of Zeppelin wasnāt included on this endeavor rather sad š¢ would have been even more epic ā¤
Steve Trivago
My son loved Led Zeppelin and playing guitar šø 5/10/95 ā 7/21/2018
Rodrigo Silva
Dude..God bless you !!
Jennifer Sales
@Rodrigo Silva 5
Way Word
Man, that is so sad - I feel for You. I'm sure he is OK now. Maybe take solace in how he loved Zep and that you can always listen to his whisper through their music. šā
Adventure and Family
Jeez, first comment, and a punch in the gutsš¢
God bless you Steve, stay strong man...šš»