Born 1943, Yorkshire, UK, Christie started his musical life in 1960 in a duo called the Grant Brothers, and until 1969 he simply fronted bands. In 1969 he signed up with MCA Records. Hits such as Amarillo and I Did What I Did for Maria followed.
Christie sold over 10 million records in the 70s. The 80s saw a slowdown due to changing musical taste, however he was awarded Die Golden Europa by German radio for superb showmanship.
The 90s led to more hits such as the song Sweet September and the Jarvis Cocker song Walk like a Panther.
Peter Kay brought Christie to a whole new generation of youth with the song (Is This the Way To) Amarillo and Avenues and Alleyways.
Christie is still going strong and he got into the football spirit with (Is This the Way To) The World Cup.
the way we were
Tony Christie Lyrics
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Misty water-colored memories of the way we were
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again
Could we?
Memories may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
The way we were
In Tony Christie's song "The Way We Were," the singer recalls and reflects on memories of the past, specifically of a relationship that has ended. The memories of this relationship light the corners of their mind in a misty, water-colored way. The singer possesses scattered pictures of the smiles that they and their partner left behind. These smiles, a reflection of happy and loving moments, are what the two individuals gave to each other as their relationship unfolded.
The singer's second verse is a contemplation of whether things were simpler in the past, or if time has rewritten their shared history. If given the opportunity, would they go back and do it all again? The question is posed to the partner they remember, as if speaking directly to them. The song's chorus returns to a reflection of memories, specifically how memories may be beautiful but it's easier to forget the most painful parts. Whenever they remember the past, the laughter they shared is what comes to mind.
Overall, the song touches upon themes of nostalgia, remembrance, and regret. Though it's unclear why the relationship ultimately failed, the singer misses the way things were and wonders if they could have done things differently.
Line by Line Meaning
Memories light the corners of my mind
Images from the past still linger in my thoughts
Misty water-colored memories of the way we were
Faint, dreamlike recollections of our past experiences
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Photographs showing the happy memories we shared
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were
The happiness we exchanged because of our shared experiences
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Did life really seem that easy back then?
Or has time rewritten every line
Have our memories changed over time?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Would we go back and relive those moments if given the opportunity?
Tell me, would we?
I'm curious if we would choose to do so
Could we?
Would it even be possible to recreate those moments?
Memories may be beautiful and yet
Even though memories can be pleasant,
What's too painful to remember
We often choose to forget the painful experiences
We simply choose to forget
It's a natural tendency to erase the negative experiences from our memory
So it's the laughter we will remember
Instead, we focus on the happy moments
Whenever we remember
Every time we recall those memories
The way we were
We think of the good times we shared and the people we once were
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind