That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be

Carly Simon

About That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be

"That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" is a 1971 song performed by Carly Simon, and the lead single from her self titled debut album Carly Simon (1971). Her friend and frequent collaborator Jacob Brackman wrote the lyrics and Simon wrote the music. The song reached peak positions of No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It is an art song with a semiclassical melody in the style of Gabriel Fauré, and Elektra staffers were worried the single was too emotionally complex to be released as Simon's first single. With subject matter that includes "the parents' bad marriage; the friends' unhappy lives; the boyfriend's enthusiasm for marriage but controlling nature; the woman's initial resistance and ultimate capitulation."Simon was quoted as saying, "When I first wrote it I thought it was an unusual thing for people to break up, and now all my friends are divorced."  


Year:
1990
4:18
28 
#1

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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

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Carly Simon

Carly Elisabeth Simon (born June 25, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records; her 13 Top 40 hits include "You're So Vain", "Nobody Does It Better", and "Coming Around Again". Her 1988 song "Let the River Run" was the first to win a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for a song written and performed by a single artist. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994. more »

8 fans

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".
Songwriting
Carly 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.
Themes
The 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.
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.
Awards
Carly 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.
Music Video
A 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.
Cultural Impact
Despite 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.
Cover Versions
Throughout 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.
Live Performances
Carly 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.
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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    That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1971

    Billboard #10


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