The Way It Goes Lyrics
Put a needle in her arm
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
In the cold Kentucky ground
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when she and I were friends
Took her cat and left LA
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
Had to sell that pussy cat
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when he and I were friends
Early in October fall
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
With good whiskey in their head
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
You tell Russo, I'll tell Frank
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
Did she leave him for that swell?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when all of us were friends
Leave a pistol in my vest
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
Did I hurt you very much?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when you and I were friends
This song is about how everyone starts of as a baby, innocent and vulnerable. Almost everyone has parents and relatives who want nothing but the best. “Everybody's buying little baby clothes.” But one way or another–“ That's the way that it goes”–these kiddos grow up to be dead druggie–“Becky Johnson bought the farm; Put a needle in her arm”–A prostitute–“ She was busted, broke and flat; Had to sell that pussy cat [double entendre]”–a killer and a cheating wife–“ Did he throw her down a well? Did she leave him for that swell [another man]?” Ironically, the people who seemed the happiest with the brightest future as a youngster are the ones who have a great downfall–“See the brightest ones of all; Early in October [in middle life] fall.” The ones who are evil and mean do well in this wicked world able to by expensive drink and sleep well–“While the dark ones go to bed;With good whiskey in their head.” But “That's the way that it ends.” This is not theoretical. All these stories are about people the author knew–“Though there was a time when you and I were friends.” I’m not sure what the author is saying about him or herself:
When you lay me down to rest Leave a pistol in my vest Do you miss my gentle touch? Did I hurt you very much?
I (s)he is saying me too: I had all the potential, and I ended up cold and unloving because I was so defensive.
This is such a beautiful and insightful song. I get sad sometimes thinking about how the world beats you down, and all our hopes and dreams do not come to fruition. For many people the American Dream is the American Nightmare.
It's also a sharp counterpoint to another beautiful song on this album: "The Way the Whole Thing Ends" -- both are about the way things begin, the way they fail, and in particular the way people diverge. Both songs reference lost friendship.
It's also a sharp counterpoint to another beautiful song on this album: "The Way the Whole Thing Ends" -- both are about the way things begin, the way they fail, and in particular the way people diverge. Both songs reference lost friendship.
As cause and effect? As melancholic reflection? As ironic statement?
As cause and effect? As melancholic reflection? As ironic statement?
It doesn't really matter, because the heart of the thing is so simple:
It doesn't really matter, because the heart of the thing is so simple:
That's the way it is.
That's the way it is.
(Excellent companion song: "Here it is" by Leonard Cohen.)
(Excellent companion song: "Here it is" by Leonard Cohen.)
Great and insightful song. the writer speaks of people she knew at one time or another. They all start off being born with great potential and high hopes of the parents (everyone's buying baby clothes), and then somehow ended up not so well-off. one buy good property and they commits suicide, another got into crime, got busted, some ended up drunk, others ditched for someone else etc etc etc. That part about being buried with a 'pistol in my vest', I believe speaks of the reminder of the cruel world that had put the author into the ground. the innocence is missed along the way of getting accustomed to this world, together with the loss of a gentle touch. great song, sadly true for many cases. Just my opinion.
@dylansuppiah \r\nThe expression " bought the farm" means that the person died. Some interesting origin(s) but most agree that it dates back to WWI or WWII & perhaps dying while in military combat although it has come to mean when one says "bought the farm" that the subject could have died in many different ways now --- such as in this song. Nice interpretation of the song. Thanks for your post. \r\n
@dylansuppiah \r\nThe expression " bought the farm" means that the person died. Some interesting origin(s) but most agree that it dates back to WWI or WWII & perhaps dying while in military combat although it has come to mean when one says "bought the farm" that the subject could have died in many different ways now --- such as in this song. Nice interpretation of the song. Thanks for your post. \r\n
The first time I heard it, I liked something about the hard travelin' feel of the line, "When you lay me down to rest Leave a pistol in my vest."
But, it resonates even more since I heard Dave Rawlings say that to him it's a way of saying that I don't know what happens after death, so I want to be prepared for anything.
Thanks for that. I couldn't figure that line out.
Thanks for that. I couldn't figure that line out.
Great and insightful song. the writer speaks of people she knew at one time or another. They all start off being born with great potential and high hopes of the parents (everyone's buying baby clothes), and then somehow ended up not so well-off. one buy good property and they commits suicide, another got into crime, got busted, some ended up drunk, others ditched for someone else etc etc etc. That part about being buried with a 'pistol in my vest', I believe speaks of the reminder of the cruel world that had put the author into the ground. the innocence is missed along the way of getting accustomed to this world, together with the loss of a gentle touch. great song, sadly true for many cases. Just my opinion.
i dub, that's a right on comment that put this songs meaning on the fast track for me. I use songs like this for group therapy sessions and your take on it made my decision to incorporate it into my groups. Thanks
i dub, that's a right on comment that put this songs meaning on the fast track for me. I use songs like this for group therapy sessions and your take on it made my decision to incorporate it into my groups. Thanks
Great and insightful song. the writer speaks of people she knew at one time or another. They all start off being born with great potential and high hopes of the parents (everyone's buying baby clothes), and then somehow ended up not so well-off. one buy good property and they commits suicide, another got into crime, got busted, some ended up drunk, others ditched for someone else etc etc etc. That part about being buried with a 'pistol in my vest', I believe speaks of the reminder of the cruel world that had put the author into the ground. the innocence is missed along the way of getting accustomed to this world, together with the loss of a gentle touch. great song, sadly true for many cases. Just my opinion.
I think the "everybody's buying little baby clothes", line has nothing to do with potential. Instead, it refers to the limited potential or even predestination of children born into that culture. Que sera sera.
The lyrics remind me of what happens to your peer group.The "interesting" ones are few and mentioned, the majority "everybody" are not mentioned and just get on with reproduction and "baby clothes".