The Way It Is
Traffic Jam Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I know it’s not that I wouldn’t mean that much to you right now
It’s just that you’re glad being with another guy somehow

It’s just that you just let me down

Well I see I could try and wait until you change your mind
But it’s hard that card I’ve been dealt is now easy to play
Oh the fuck why can’t you stay

You didn’t give me time
To become the man I could have been
Don’t wanna be unkind
But I would be better off if you backed off
I've really had enough

I don’t believe a word you say
When you say you are there for me
I know you don’t care for me in any way

I don’t believe a word you say
I'm not sure if it would be good or bad
When I see now what I could have had oh no

Oh you said you really think we both should stay in touch
But I know it’s not so as if that would mean that much

Don’t get me wrong now I don’t want to play the judge

I just hoped there might have been something I could have done
To change or rearrange the way of things to come

To make sure life won’t leave me dry and hung
You didn’t give me time
To live the dream I had in mind
Don’t want to be unkind
But I would be better off if you backed off
I really had enough

I don’t believe a word you say
When you say you are there for me
I know you don’t care for me in any way

I don’t believe a word you say
I'm not sure if it would be good or bad
When I see now what I could have had oh no


I don’t believe a word you say
When you say you are there for me
I know you don’t care for me in any way

I don’t believe a word you say
I'm not sure if it would be good or bad
When I see now what I could have had oh no

I don’t believe a word you say
When you say you are there for me
I know you don’t care for me in any way

I don’t believe a word you say
I'm not sure if it would be good or bad
When I see now what I could have had oh no

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Way It Is" by Traffic Jam delve into themes of disappointment, unfulfilled expectations, and the complexities of relationships. The singer expresses feelings of betrayal and frustration as they come to terms with the fact that their partner has chosen to be with someone else. The opening lines convey a sense of resignation and hurt, as the singer acknowledges that they may not hold the same importance to their partner anymore.


The singer struggles with the idea of waiting for their partner to change their mind, but realizes that the situation is not as simple as they had hoped. The use of the term "the card I’ve been dealt" suggests a resignation to their circumstances and a recognition that the situation is out of their control. The frustration and disbelief intensify as the lyrics unfold, with the singer questioning why their partner cannot stay and give them a chance to prove themselves.


The recurring theme of feeling let down and not being given the opportunity to grow and evolve is evident throughout the song. The singer laments the lack of time given to become the person they could have been, highlighting a sense of missed potential and lost opportunities. There is a sense of bitterness and resentment as the singer realizes that their partner may not have truly cared for them in the way they had hoped.


The repeated phrases "I don’t believe a word you say" and "I know you don’t care for me in any way" underline the singer's sense of disillusionment and betrayal. Despite the attempts to rationalize the situation and find some closure or understanding, the singer ultimately faces the harsh reality of what could have been. The lyrics paint a poignant picture of unreciprocated love, dashed hopes, and ultimately, a realization that some things may never change no matter how much they wish they could.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I know it’s not that I wouldn’t mean that much to you right now
I understand that I may not hold much significance for you currently


It’s just that you’re glad being with another guy somehow
You seem content with being with someone else


It’s just that you just let me down
You disappointed me by not meeting my expectations


Well I see I could try and wait until you change your mind
I could wait for you to change your perspective


But it’s hard that card I’ve been dealt is now easy to play
The situation I'm in is tough and not as simple as it may seem


Oh the fuck why can’t you stay
I'm frustrated that you are unable to commit


You didn’t give me time
I wasn't allowed time to grow and develop


To become the man I could have been
To reach my full potential


Don’t wanna be unkind
I don't want to come across as harsh


But I would be better off if you backed off
I'd be in a better state if you distanced yourself


I've really had enough
I have reached my limit


I don’t believe a word you say
I doubt the genuineness of your words


When you say you are there for me
When you claim to be supportive


I know you don’t care for me in any way
I understand that you don't really care about me


When I see now what I could have had oh no
Realizing what I missed out on


Oh you said you really think we both should stay in touch
You expressed interest in keeping communication open


But I know it’s not so as if that would mean that much
I'm aware that staying in touch may not hold much value


Don’t get me wrong now I don’t want to play the judge
I don't want to be judgmental


I just hoped there might have been something I could have done
I wished there was a way for me to make a difference


To change or rearrange the way of things to come
To alter the future course of events


To make sure life won’t leave me dry and hung
To ensure I won't be left without options


To live the dream I had in mind
To pursue the aspirations I had envisioned


I really had enough
I have truly reached my breaking point




Lyrics Β© Music Hub O/B/O GEMA
Written by: Christopher Tucker, Robert MΓΌller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Kyle-kc8cw

This is a driving culture problem IMO. Just based on my experiences living in 3 countries (Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines).

Traffic far, far more predictable in Malaysia tend to stay in their lanes and move when necessary...most of the time. Also people generally only overtake in the inner lanes.

But in Thailand, things get a bit more messy but still predictable. Overtaking is left or right, doesn't matter. But, you can still also just maintain your speed without needing to "defend" your position from the car in front of you.

In the Philippines...Ohhhhh boy. People drive like they're participating in a race. Maybe there's a reward in the end, who knows? But it sure seem like it. Any gap left between you and the car in front will be exploited. No one stays in their lane. Overtaking every vehicle along the path. I asked a driver why does everyone overtake everyone, he said some cars are going slow so just overtake them. It'll be faster.

There's an irony to this... the same distance takes up to 4 times longer in the Philippines than it does in Malaysia. Because traffic is so unpredictable, they're all driving slower. And because traffic is so predictable in Malaysia, people tend to overspeed and drive up to 80 or sometimes even a 100 kmh in the streets. The same type of streets, traffic in Philippines go from 40 - 60 kmh because of the mess. Had they just stay in their lanes and follow a rhythm, traffic would go faster because it's more predictable and no one has to "defend" their position.

Just my thoughts.



All comments from YouTube:

@temporaryvisitor1285

As somebody once wrote in the accident report to his insurace: "I am aware that there should always be a space of two car lengths between me and the next vehicle. But if you were to actually practice this, you would find that that space will quickly be occupied by two more cars!"

@HakmanTim

temporary visitor okay..

@Brindlebrother

i hope insurance paid his claim

@randomizednamme

In the bay area if you have half a car's space in front of you someone will change lanes into that space expecting you to brake to let them in

@db9944

I do that anyway. I have no problem match the speed of the vehicle in front of me, but I do like a healthy following distance. People act as if me doing 50 behind a vehicle going 50 with more than 3 feet between us is me doing 20, so they zip around as if they saved a significant amount of time. I'm not going to let people intimidate me into tailgating

@weakspirit_

hence why you have enough distance for when traffic isn't too bad that people starts attempting to enter your lane. and as close as needed to signal other drivers that you don't fuck around so don't even try in heavier traffic. unless today's a good day or there's a merge or other equally reasonable situations.

49 More Replies...

@FiresideLeo

A system where all cars accelerate at once and there are no intersections, that just sounds like a train with extra steps.

@Basomic

Eek barba durkle, somebody's gonna get laid in college

@ctdaniels7049

Basically.

@nathanhiggins1438

Or automated cars... they would communicate with each other... oh, ha! He just got to that

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