The Way It Is
The Sunshine Underground Lyrics


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We'll build you up, tear you down
To live like we used to
Believe in it while you can
Before it all lets you down
We'll crush your narrow opinion
To tell it how it is
It's out of date, out of date
And that's just the way it is

We've got you right, got you right
Force everything you need
You live by a easy life
Why don't you let it in?
It's a culture shock, culture shock
Well tell it to the police
You're out of date, watch it out
And that's just the way it is

I've got ideas
You get more fears to revel in

It all got pushed out in a rush to your, rush to your head
Can't tell us what to think
It's out of date, out of date
And that's just the way it is
We've got enough
We've got a right to be, right to be wrong
Well come on and stop me
Well everybody says around me
Why don't you let it in?

We'll build you up, tear you down
To live like we used to
Believe in it while you can
Before it will let you down
It amounts to nothing
It's a culture shock, culture shock
Well tell it to the police
You're out of date, out of date
And that's just the way it is
Yeah that's just the way it is
Yeah that's just the way it is
Well that's just the way it is




And that's just the way it is
Will I know?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Sunshine Underground's song "The Way It Is" seem to comment on the pressure to conform to societal norms and ideologies. The first verse begins by discussing how others will "build you up" and "tear you down" according to their own ideas of what is right and wrong. The lyrics go on to state that these beliefs may be fleeting and will eventually "let you down." The second verse seems to address the idea that people are forced to conform to a particular way of life, while the chorus repeats the idea that certain beliefs are outdated and that people should let go of them.


The bridge of the song highlights the theme of conformity, stating that people are constantly bombarded with ideas and that they may often lead to fear rather than revelation. The final verses reiterate the idea that people should not let themselves be held back by the opinions of others and that everyone has the right to be wrong.


Overall, "The Way It Is" seems to be a commentary on the pressure to conform to societal norms and ideologies, encouraging individuals to think for themselves and to let go of outdated beliefs.


Line by Line Meaning

We'll build you up, tear you down
We will raise you up to our standards just to tear you back down.


To live like we used to
So that you can conform to the way we used to live.


Believe in it while you can
Have faith in our beliefs and systems until they inevitably fail you.


Before it all lets you down
Before our way of living disappoints you.


We'll crush your narrow opinion
We will dismiss your opinions that do not align with ours.


To tell it how it is
We will only speak what we believe to be true, regardless of alternate perspectives.


It's out of date, out of date
Anything that contradicts our beliefs is considered outdated in our eyes.


And that's just the way it is
We will not entertain any other ideas, even if they are valid.


We've got you right, got you right
We know what is best for you and will forcefully impose it upon you.


Force everything you need
We will push you to obtain the materialistic things that we believe signify success.


You live by a easy life
We believe that your way of life is too effortless and lacks depth.


Why don't you let it in?
Why don't you embrace our way of life and beliefs?


It's a culture shock, culture shock
Our way of life is drastically different from yours, causing a shock to your system.


Well tell it to the police
Dismiss our opinions? Go ahead and report us to the authorities.


You're out of date, out of date
Your way of life and ideas are considered dated and irrelevant by us.


I've got ideas
I have my own unconventional ideas and beliefs.


You get more fears to revel in
You thrive off of fear-mongering and instill fear in others.


It all got pushed out in a rush to your, rush to your head
Our way of life was implemented without much thought, leading you to blindly follow it.


Can't tell us what to think
Do not try to persuade us to have an open mind, as we are not receptive to change.


We've got enough
We are content with our way of life and beliefs.


We've got a right to be, right to be wrong
We have the right to be wrong in holding onto our opinions and beliefs.


Well come on and stop me
Challenge us to change our ways if you must, but we will not easily be swayed.


Well everybody says around me
Everyone agrees with me and our way of life.


Why don't you let it in?
Why don't you join and embrace our beliefs and way of living?


It amounts to nothing
Your way of life is pointless and leads to no success or fulfillment.


Yeah that's just the way it is
There is no changing our beliefs or way of living.


Well that's just the way it is
We will not let go of our beliefs, even if they do not make sense.


And that's just the way it is
We are steadfast in our beliefs and will not consider alternate perspectives.




Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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