The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
The Way It Is
Standing in line, marking time
Waiting for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't buy a job
The man in a silk suit hurries by
As he catches a poor old lady's eyes
Just for fun he says, 'get a job'
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them
Said hey little boy
you can't go where the others go
'Cuz you don't look like they do
Said hey old man
How can you stand to think that way
And did you really think about it
before you made the rules
He said, son
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them
Well they passed a law in '64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because the law don't change another's mind
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
That's just the way it is
it is, it is, it is...
Standing in line, marking time
Waiting for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't buy a job
The man in a silk suit hurries by
As he catches a poor old lady's eyes
Just for fun he says, 'get a job'
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them
Said hey little boy
you can't go where the others go
'Cuz you don't look like they do
Said hey old man
How can you stand to think that way
And did you really think about it
before you made the rules
He said, son
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them
Well they passed a law in '64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because the law don't change another's mind
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
That's just the way it is
it is, it is, it is...
Lyrics submitted by Ara Raven, edited by phantom309
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This song has a great message and some great piano work. I think the song is saying that if we just accept that "that's just the way it is", then nothing will ever change, but if you don't believe it, then things can change.
So many things to write. First of all, Bruce loved Tupac's version so there's that. Also, while this song is an obvious criticism of the Reagan administration, I've always thought the chorus was a challenge to the listener. Maybe that's the way it is, or is it? The use of the phrase in the context of segregation to me means that it's only the way it is if we don't do something to change it. Anyway, growing up in the south, I'm used to the phrase "that's just the way it is" as a constant refrain. It's a lie used to explain injustice, but perhaps a self-fulfilling prophecy. I always felt challenged to not accept the status quo whenever I heard the song.
You've got it :) "Ah but don't you believe them" is Bruce saying it "isn't the way it is".. "grow up humanity."
Bruce Hornsby is a genius. See him in concert, he's amazing. This song is a classic and it speaks for itself.
@allan777 - not to take anything away from bruce Hornsby - he is a genius. Joe Puerta (bass) is amazing as well - from his days in Ambrosia to this = Solid.
"Because the law don't change another's mind When all it sees at the hiring time Is the line on the color bar"
I always took this to literally mean what is in the line Race (in the past seen as 'Color') blank on a Job Application. Line=Bar.
The color bar refers to segregation i think, when black people had to queue separately. It says even though the laws changed in the states (a civil Rights act passed by president Johnson in 64) it hasnt changed people's minds, and they are still influenced when choosing people for a job by their colour.
Great song and the meanings well put and not fuddled under any false lush imagery. If there's one thing Bruce is good at, he says it like it is. A LOT of groups write their songs with a lot of mystery, i.e. "it could be interpreted this way or that way" but Bruce has a great way with his songwriting. He definitely deserves more kudos than he gets. BTW, the piano riff on this one is too awesome. If anything, the 'lack of flair' in his lyrics is a great foil to his piano play.
Peace
My dad passed away yesterday morning (RIP) :(, I then listen to this song and it means a lot to me. I know that most people interpret it as racism, but the words are very important to me:
"That's just the way it is, Somethings will never change"
Makes me feel better to just accept it and move on because I can't change them.
So under-rated, you never hear this on the radio anymore.
I think color bar is symbolic of white and black peoples.
"Said hey little boy you can't go where the others go 'Cuz you don't look like they do Said hey old man How can you stand to think that way And did you really think about it before you made the rules
He said, son
That's just the way it is Some things will never change That's just the way it is Ah, but dont you believe them"
I believe this is a poor black man talking to his son saying he can't do this or that, but also saying that he really can if he tries..
I am from Russia where "line on the color bar" means disagreement with Putin or any m-f from The United Russia ruling party or even being of another nationality. Yesterday my colleague and a friend of mine was fired just for saying in private talks with others in a dining room that he's Ukranian and he celebrates The Maidan victory with his nation. But the official reason of his sacking and humiliation was being late for work for 12 and 16 minutes 2 days in a row signed with 4 and next day even 6 Bauman University employees as " witnesses ". I am a lawyer of the University and I refused to sign the act of sacking. Next is gonna be me they said. Okay. Nevermind. Now about the song in itself. I remember this song I first time listened when I was 10 year old boy. And there were Gorby Tmes We knew nothing of that f****g Putin, had no discussion of LGBT victimization and got no unemployment at all.