That's How It Is
The Great Society (with Grace Slick) Lyrics
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And Crowds a cheering
There's so much laughter
I feel so high I think
I'll not come down
For ever after.
Gonna dance high above Me
I really do believe that everybody loves me
And the funny thing is,
That's how it is.
Well there's a love song singing
Through the soft green grasses,
But it's far behind me
Relaxing my eyes as they reflect on the sky
And it almost blinds me.
Open My eyes and the sun comes up
Seems the hole world shaking like a Happy pup
And it cracks me up
That's how it is.
Well There's a whole new set of dues
Each time I get outta bed
And There's no question about it,
I'm outta my head
Well I sometimes wonder what this trip I'm under
Is All about now
My Mind is thumping
Yeah my brain is jumping
Like an over the moon cow
And When I wanna Leave
I never used that door
I opened up the room
And out that door
Now don't you say ain't so
That's how it is
Well There's a whole new set of dues
Each time I get outta bed
And There's no question about it,
I'm outta my head
Well I sometimes wonder what this trip I'm under
Is All about now
My Mind is thumping
Yeah my brain is jumping
Like an over the moon cow
And When I wanna Leave
I never used that door
I opened up the room
And out that door
Now don't you say ain't so
That's how it is
The Great Society's song "That's How It Is" is a psychedelic rock tune that describes the feeling of being high and carefree. The song starts with the singer hearing shouting and cheering and feeling high from all the laughter. The thoughts in their head make them want to dance high above, and they believe that everyone loves them. The chorus repeats the phrase "that's how it is," emphasizing the feeling of being in the moment and enjoying life without questioning it.
The second verse describes a love song singing through the grass as the singer relaxes and watches the sky. Opening their eyes, they see the sun coming up and feel the world shaking like a happy pup, making them laugh. The third verse repeats the first, emphasizing the feeling of being out of their head and wondering what this trip they're under is all about.
Overall, the song is a representation of the hippie counterculture movement of the 1960s, where many young people sought freedom and joy in mind-altering substances and alternative lifestyles. The carefree, almost nonsensical lyrics reflect the feeling of being in the moment and experiencing life to the fullest without worrying about the future or consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I hear shoutin'
I can hear the crowd shouting and cheering.
And Crowds a cheering
There are groups of people in this celebratory crowd that are cheering.
There's so much laughter
The atmosphere is filled with excitement and laughter.
I feel so high I think
The energy is making me feel euphoric.
I'll not come down
I never want this feeling of happiness to end.
For ever after.
I want to feel this happy forever.
Thoughts in my head
I can't stop thinking.
Gonna dance high above Me
I feel like dancing and celebrating.
I really do believe that everybody loves me
I feel loved and wanted by people around me.
And the funny thing is,
The interesting part is,
That's how it is.
This is how I feel and there's nothing else to it.
Well there's a love song singing
There's a song about love playing.
Through the soft green grasses,
The music is playing softly.
But it's far behind me
I'm not interested in the music right now.
Relaxing my eyes as they reflect on the sky
I'm looking up at the sky and it's making me feel relaxed.
And it almost blinds me.
The bright sun is making me almost unable to see.
Open My eyes and the sun comes up
When I open my eyes, I feel like the sun is shining brighter.
Seems the hole world shaking like a Happy pup
Everything feels happy and exciting, like a puppy wagging its tail.
And it cracks me up
It makes me laugh.
Well There's a whole new set of dues
Every day brings new challenges.
Each time I get outta bed
Every morning when I wake up.
And There's no question about it,
It's undeniable.
I'm outta my head
I feel a bit crazy, but in a good way.
Well I sometimes wonder what this trip I'm under
I'm curious about this feeling I'm having.
Is All about now
What's going on?
My Mind is thumping
My thoughts are racing with excitement.
Yeah my brain is jumping
My mind is full of energy and ideas.
Like an over the moon cow
I feel really excited, like a cow that's jumped over the moon.
And When I wanna Leave
When I want to go home.
I never used that door
I try to find an unconventional way to leave instead of just walking out the door.
I opened up the room
I find a creative way to exit.
And out that door
I exit without going through the usual door.
Now don't you say ain't so
Don't try to argue or tell me that what I feel isn't real.
That's how it is
This is how I feel, and that's all there is to it.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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