The Way It Is
Simon Townshend Lyrics


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The way I'm feeling now I don't know how I will survive
Like this, but that's the way it is
It's not what you want it's what you've got
You can't hang on to love, best admit
That's the way it is,
It's the way it is, not the way it could be
The way it was, or the way it should be
The things you miss, your lover's kiss
A voice you never could resist
You hear it echo in the mist saying, that's the way it is
Oh, the feelings gone, so what went wrong
Don't search for reason why
'Cause that's that
That's just where it's at
Like it or not, it's what is what and there's no turning back
Get this, that's just the way it is
It's the way it is not the way it could be,
The way it is was or the way it should be
The things you miss your lover's kiss a voice you never could resist
You hear it echo in the mist, saying that's the way it is
Soaking up the rain to wash away the pain
Can somebody explain why it's driving me insane
I'm soaking up the sun for I'm not the only one
That's been burned by love,
Oh, the days are long and the nights are young
You must come to terms
Don't be afraid cause that's the state of play
You can only have what you can have so give up on the ghost
That once was, there maybe no 'because'
Just the way it is not the way it could
The way it was, or the way it should be
The things you miss, your lover's kiss, a voice you never could resist
Punching air with your clenched fist will not change this




'Cause that's the way it is,
Get this, that's just the way it is

Overall Meaning

The song "The Way It Is" by Simon Townshend is a ballad about coming to terms with the end of a relationship. The singer is in a state of despair, feeling lost and unsure about how to move on. He is forced to accept that the way he feels is the way it is, and there's no changing that. The lyrics express the idea that sometimes we have to let go of love and admit that things are not always what we want them to be.


The song is about the struggle of accepting what cannot be changed. The singer knows that his love is gone and there is no going back. He tries to rationalize why things have ended, but sometimes there is no explanation for why love fades away. The lyrics suggest that one might try to soak up the rain to wash away the pain or soak up the sun to forget, but nothing can erase the memory of lost love. The song's main message is that sometimes the best thing you can do is come to terms with reality and move on.


Line by Line Meaning

The way I'm feeling now I don't know how I will survive
I'm struggling to cope with my emotions and I'm uncertain about my ability to make it through this.


Like this, but that's the way it is
Despite any desire to change things, the situation cannot be altered.


It's not what you want it's what you've got
You can't always have everything you desire, you have to accept what you have.


You can't hang on to love, best admit
You must recognize the reality of the situation and move on.


That's the way it is, It's the way it is, not the way it could be
The only reality is the present and it can't be undone or changed.


The way it was, or the way it should be, The things you miss, your lover's kiss, A voice you never could resist
An acknowledgement of the past and the way things used to be. Memories of specific experiences and feelings.


You hear it echo in the mist saying, that's the way it is
The lingering feeling that things will always be this way.


Oh, the feelings gone, so what went wrong. Don't search for reason why. 'Cause that's that, That's just where it's at
The realization that it's futile to search for a reason why things didn't work out because the fact of the matter is that it just didn't.


Like it or not, it's what is what and there's no turning back, Get this, that's just the way it is
Accepting the situation for what it is and understanding that there is no going back to what was.


Soaking up the rain to wash away the pain, Can somebody explain why it's driving me insane
Trying to use external factors to make sense of internal struggle.


I'm soaking up the sun for I'm not the only one That's been burned by love
Trying to find comfort in the shared experience of others who have been hurt by love.


Oh, the days are long and the nights are young, You must come to terms, Don't be afraid cause that's the state of play
Despite the frustration and pain, it's important to face and accept the current state of things.


You can only have what you can have so give up on the ghost, That once was, there maybe no 'because'
Not holding onto something that is no longer there and not dwelling on the reasons for why it is no longer there.


Just the way it is not the way it could, The way it was, or the way it should be, The things you miss, your lover's kiss, a voice you never could resist
Accepting that the only reality is the current, not theoretical, version of what used to be.


Punching air with your clenched fist will not change this, 'Cause that's the way it is, Get this, that's just the way it is
Struggling against things that can't be changed do not change the reality of the situation. Acceptance is key.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@mikecostello6422

Beautiful.

@franksamet

Lovely song well performed!

@loz14

Another One of my absolute favourite songs. Absolutely Love this. ❤️❤️

@deividparedes6293

Pedazo de concierto en Barcelona España ❤ Simon Townshend y The Who 🥰

@Luileadolfo

He should open more WHO concerts with his own band.. Also Rachel Fuller.

@DocWyoming

Talk about the perfect opening act. This man has a great set of songs, can be down with acoustic or a band.

@REMBRANTTUBE

Great Job Simon!! 👏👏👏

@MikhaelBattaglia

Ok, that blew mind!

@MaryMurray-cn4fv

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@FisherProtocol

Love it!❤

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