The Way Life's Meant to Be
Electric Light Orchestra
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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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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.
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Composition and StyleThis 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.
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LyricsThe 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.
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Chart PerformanceEven 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.
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Critical ReceptionCritics 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.
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UniquenessThough 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.
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Band MembersThe 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.
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MeaningThe 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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Citation
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