Bruce Hornsby & The Range – The Way It Is (Video Version)
Inspiration Behind The Way It Is:
Bruce Hornsby wrote The Way It Is in a garage while living in California. Bruce wanted to craft a song that addressed social inequality that he witnessed firsthand. Subsequently, the lyrics address the poor, racism, and complacency with the statis quo. Once the music and piano riff were created, the Way It Is became a smashing success.
Biblical Application:
Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. 17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done, Proverbs 19:16-17.
Exegesis of The Way It Is:
Standin’ in line marking time
Waiting for the welfare dime
‘Cause they can’t buy a job
The man in the silk suit hurries by
As he catches the poor old lady’s eyes
Just for fun he says, ‘Get a job’
Bruce provides a glimpse of how the poor and wealthy are worlds apart.
That’s just the way it is
Some things’ll never change
That’s just the way it is
Ha, but don’t you believe them
This is what Bruce witnessed in California. Although he doesn’t like it, this is the way it was at this time.
Said, ‘Hey little boy you can’t go
Where the others go
Cause you don’t look like they do’
Said, ‘Hey, old man how can you stand
To think that way
Did you really think about it
Before you made the rules? ‘
He said, ‘Son
Race relations in the 1960’s or later depending upon the state or town. A similar scene occurred in Remember the Titans.but these students tried to change the social norms.
That’s just the way it is
Some things’ll never change
That’s just the way it is’
Ha, but don’t you believe them
Ooo, yeah (instrumental)
(That’s just the way it is)
(That’s just the way it is)
Some people are afraid to speak out, rebuking others of wrong actions.
Well, they passed a law in ’64
To give those who ain’t got, a little more
But it only goes so far
‘Cause the law don’t change another’s mind
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar
But who knows
Despite a new law passed into legislation, it took society time to change from its evil racist ways.
That’s just the way it is
Some things’ll never change (right)
That’s just the way it is
That’s just they way it is, it is, when you’re waiting.
People were afraid to push the status quo, following the crowd instead of being a leader. This lack of action frustrated Bruce.
Final Thoughts:
I grew up in the 1980;s with an African American neighbor. Marvin was just a normal teenager beside the color of his skin. One day I ended up getting in a fight to protect. While I tried to de-escalate this situation, I put the safety of my neighbor ahead of my own. Despite receiving bumps and bruises, this one act endeared me to Marvin’s parents until I moved away in college. While society has changed for the better, there is still plenty of room for improvement.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 