The Way Life's Meant to Be

Electric Light Orchestra

About The Way Life's Meant to Be

"The Way Life's Meant to Be" is a song written by Jeff Lynne and performed by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). The single peaked at number 30 on the German Media Control Singles Chart. The song is track five on the 1981 album Time and was the last track to be released as a single from the album in the UK. It starts with gentle violins, and continues with flamenco-like guitar playing, and castanets. The south Mediterranean sound continues throughout the vocal and choiring on the refrain. Continuing the theme of time travel, the lyrics deal with the protagonists Future Shock at seeing his town over a hundred years later, and his disappointment at how the future is not nearly as utopian as the people of 1981, himself included, had predicted. It was the first single since "Nightrider" in 1976 that failed to chart in the UK. The B-side was "Wishing" taken from the Discovery album. The song was recorded at the Polar Studios in Stockholm, unlike the majority of the songs of the album that were recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich. 


Year:
2003
4:38
115 
#1

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Well, I came a long way to be here today 
And I left you so long on this avenue 
And here I stand in the strangest land 
Not knowing what to say or do 
As I gaze around at these strangers in town 
I guess the only stranger is me 
And I wonder, yes I wonder 
Is this the way life's meant to be

Although it's only a day since I was taken away 
And left standing here looking in wonder 
The ground at my feet, maybe it's just the old street 
But everything that I know lies under 
And when I see what they've done to this place that 
was home 
Shame is all that I feel 
And I wonder, yes I wonder, is this
The way life's meant to be

Too late, too late to cry 
The people say 
Too late for you, too late for me 
You've come so far, now you know everything 
My friend 
Just look and see the wonders of our world

As I wander around this wreck of a town 
Where people never speak aloud 
With its ivory towers and its plastic flowers 
I wish I was back in 1981 
Just to see your face instead of this place 
Now I know what you mean to me 
And I wonder, yes, I wonder, is this 
The way life's meant to be.

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Electric Light Orchestra

Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) are a British rock group from Birmingham, England who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones. After Wood's departure following the band's debut record, Lynne wrote and arranged all of the group's original compositions and produced every album. more »

7 fans

Written by: Jeff Lynne

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Album Information
“The Way Life's Meant to Be” is a song by British rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It appears on their eighth studio album, ‘Time,’ released in July 1981.
Composition and Style
This song is known for its upbeat, yet melancholic tone. It combines ELO's characteristic style of symphonic rock and pop with futuristic lyrics and thematic elements.
Lyrics
The song features a narrative where a man is caught in a future world and yearns for the simplicity of the past, which aligns with the overarching theme of the 'Time' album — a concept album about time travel.
Chart Performance
Even though "The Way Life's Meant to Be" was not released as a single, the album 'Time' peaked at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, highlighting the song's contribution to the album's success.
Critical Reception
Critics often highlight "The Way Life's Meant to Be" as one of the standout tracks on the 'Time' album. It is cherished for its emotive lyrics, infectious melody, and the engaging arrangement.
Uniqueness
Though ELO was known for their fusion of rock and classical elements, the 'Time' album and songs like "The Way Life's Meant to Be" marked a stylistic shift; they incorporated more electronic and synth-pop elements, demonstrating the band's versatility.
Band Members
The principal members of ELO at the time of the song’s recording were Jeff Lynne, Bev Bevan, and Richard Tandy. Lynne was the lead singer and also served as the writer and producer of the song.
Meaning
The song provides a cautionary tale about the fast-paced nature of modern life and the dangers of losing one's roots in the pursuit of progress, a theme that resonates with many listeners even today.

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