Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
The Way It Is
Tesla Lyrics
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Or who can hurt who the most, no
It never was meant for it to be that way
Never should be that way at all
The way it is, the way that it goes
Happenin' day after day, yeah
That's the way it is, the way that it goes
Even though we could never seem to work things out
I still love you just the same
I miss your smile and that sparkle in your eyes
You're so beautiful, never change
The way it is, the way that it goes
Happenin' day after day, yeah
That's the way it is, the way that it goes
Workin' in the strangest ways
What it is, and what it was
What shall be shall be, yeah
Sometimes it happens in the strangest ways
Sometimes it's hard to believe, yeah (do you believe?)
Do you believe, can you believe
The way it is, the way that it goes
Workin' in the strangest ways, yeah
Now it really don't matter who gets the best of who
It never did and never will
It was never meant for it to be that way
Why must it be that way at all?
The way it is, the way that it goes
Happenin' day after day, yeah
The way it is, the way that it goes
Workin' in the, workin' in the strangest ways
That's the way it is, that's the way it is
That's the way it is, that's the way that it goes, yeah
Yeah, that's the way it is, that's the way that it goes
That's the way it is, that's the way that it goes
See it happen day after day, yeah, yeah
Workin' in the strangest ways
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Can you believe, do you believe?
Can you believe, do you believe?
That's the way it is, that's the way it goes
Yes it do
The lyrics to Tesla's song "The Way It Is" talk about the inevitably of life's ups and downs. The song suggests that no matter how much one person hurts another or who gets the better of another, life will continue on. The lyrics seem to imply that there is a natural order to things and that even when things do not work out in our favor, we should still hold onto love and the beauty that once was.
The chorus repeats the phrase "the way it is, the way that it goes" which creates a sense of acceptance towards the events that unfold in life. The repetition of this phrase, coupled with the image of life "workin' in the strangest ways" suggest that sometimes things happen without explanation, but that it's okay to not have all the answers. The song encourages listeners to accept the flow of life and to cherish the people they love, even when they can't have them.
Overall, "The Way It Is" speaks to the struggle of finding acceptance in life's highs and lows. The song reminds us that the beauty of life is in the relationships we form and that no matter how much life changes or hurts us it still has a sense of order and continuation.
Line by Line Meaning
Doesn't matter who gets the best of who
It doesn't matter who comes out on top in a conflict.
Or who can hurt who the most, no
Inflicting pain on others is not the way things should be.
It never was meant for it to be that way
Conflict and pain were never meant to be a part of life.
Never should be that way at all
We should strive to eliminate conflict and pain.
The way it is, the way that it goes
This is just how life is and how it goes.
Happenin' day after day, yeah
This is a recurring pattern in life.
Workin' in the strangest ways
Life works in mysterious and unpredictable ways.
Even though we could never seem to work things out
Despite our past conflicts and failures at reconciliation,
I still love you just the same
I still have love and admiration for you.
I miss your smile and that sparkle in your eyes
I feel nostalgia for your appearance when you were happy.
You're so beautiful, never change
You should remain your beautiful self, no matter what happens.
What it is, and what it was
Whatever the past was, and whatever the present is.
What shall be shall be, yeah
Anything that happens in the future is beyond our control.
Sometimes it happens in the strangest ways
Sometimes, events occur in ways that are surprising or unexpected.
Sometimes it's hard to believe, yeah (do you believe?)
These surprising events can be difficult to accept or believe.
Do you believe, can you believe
Are you able to accept what is happening?
Now it really don't matter who gets the best of who
Coming out on top no longer matters or is of concern.
It never did and never will
Winning has never been important, and never will be.
Why must it be that way at all?
Why do we still engage in conflict and hurtful behaviors?
That's the way it is, that's the way that it goes, yeah
This is just how life works, and how it has always worked.
See it happen day after day, yeah, yeah
We witness these patterns of conflict and hurt all the time.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation.
Can you believe, do you believe?
Do you have faith or trust in what is happening?
Yes it do
Affirmative response to the question above.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Frank Hannon, Jeffrey Keith, Tommy Skeoch, Troy Luccketta
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wendy Truong
I just turned 62 a few days ago and I’m still rocking out to Tesla. My husband and I got married with a Tesla song, got divorced with a Tesla song and remarried to our favorite Tesla song once again! Lol
Tracy Sawyer
😂❤love this...
Astra Luna
wtf? Coupla tough cookies. Happy you kids made it back.
ebonyavengerskid
I think Tesla is one of the most underrated bands ever!
kevin urban
+ebonyavengerskid most definitly
Tracy M
so in agreement on that, they looked so pretty no one took them serious, they are a kick ass band !!
B B
agree!!
MyworstEnemy
Had Tesla broke out at the same time as Motley Crue and Def Leppard, their first two Albums would be Legendary in both status and sales imo.
Hands down one of my favorite Rock Bands! They remind me of the Foo Fighters with their no frills performances, and straight ahead, foot stomping songs and music.
Tracy M
I have seen them in many stages of their career, in what we old timers ( I'm 52) their original hey day which was my youth, and everywhere and time they toured, they still rock as hard as they originally did !! In al ways agree one of the most underrated bands ever !!
joan Jett
It’s funny some of the most underrated band’s in the music industry are actually the ones that ROCKED IT the most.. thank goodness they are still rocking today ..