That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be
Carly Simon
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My father sits at night with no lights on His cigarette glows in the dark The living room is still I walk by, no remark I tiptoe past the master bedroom where My mother reads her magazines I hear her call sweet dreams But I forgot how to dream But you say it's time we moved in together And raised a family of our own, you and me Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be You want to marry me, we'll marry My friends from college they're all married now They have their houses and their lawns They have their silent noons Tearful nights, angry dawns Their children hate them for the things they're not They hate themselves for what they are And yet they drink, they laugh Close the wound, hide the scar But you say it's time we moved in together And raised a family of our own, you and me Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be You want to marry me, we'll marry You say we can keep our love alive Babe all I know is what I see The couples cling and claw And drown in love's debris You say we'll soar like two birds through the clouds But soon you'll cage me on your shelf I'll never learn to be just me first By myself Well okay, it's time we moved in together And raised a family of our own, you and me Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be You want to marry me, we'll marry We'll marry
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Written by: Jacob Brackman, Carly Simon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release Info"That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" was released in early 1971. It was Carly Simon's debut single from her first studio album, "Carly Simon".
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SongwritingCarly Simon co-wrote "That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" with Jacob Brackman, a lyricist, and writer. The duo would go on to collaborate on many more songs throughout Simon's career.
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ThemesThe song is known for its thought-provoking lyrics that question the institution of marriage. Simon sings from the perspective of a woman hesitant to marry, despite societal expectations, because she has tear-filled memories of her parents' unstable marriage.
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Chart Success"That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" was an instant success. The song reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, heralding Simon's arrival on the music scene.
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AwardsCarly Simon was nominated for two Grammy Awards for this song in 1972, including Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. It set the stage for an impressive career that would garner numerous accolades.
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Music VideoA live performance of "That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1971 served as the music video for the song. This live performance further increased the song's popularity.
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Cultural ImpactDespite its controversial theme for the time, or perhaps because of it, "That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" remains one of Carly Simon's most well-known and impactful songs. It's often cited in discussions about songs that pushed societal norms and expectations.
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Cover VersionsThroughout the years, this song has been covered by various artists such as Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs in 2009, for their covers album Under the Covers, Vol. 2.
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Live PerformancesCarly Simon has described this song as "the hardest to perform" due to its wide-ranging melody and the emotional toll of the lyrics. Despite this, it remains a fan favorite in her concert sets.
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Use in Media"That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" have been used in several television shows, like 'The Simpson's' and also in the end credits of the 2004 film The Stepford Wives.
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