We get high in back seats of cars
We break into mobile homes
We go to sleep to shake appeal
Never wake up on our own

And that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Oh, that's the way we get by
The way we get by

We go out in stormy weather
We rarely practice discern
We make love to some weird sin
We seek out the taciturn

And that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Oh, that's the way we get by
The way we get by

Well, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
The way
Well, that's the way we get by
That's the way we get by

We found a new kind of dance in a magazine
Tried it out, it's like nothing you ever seen
You sweet talk like a cop and you know it
You bought a new bag of pot, said, "let's make a new start"

And that's the way to my heart
The way to my heart

That's the way we get by
The way we get by
Well, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
The way

Well, that's the way we get by
That's the way we get by

We get high in back seats of cars
We put faith in our concerns
Fall in love to down on the street
We believe in the sum of ourselves

I said, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Oh, that's the way we get by
The way we get by

Well, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
The way
That's the way we get by
That's the way we get by


Lyrics submitted by rjbucs28

The Way We Get By Lyrics as written by Britt Daniel

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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The Way We Get By song meanings
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51 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I think this song is really kind of depressing. I'm not so sure that Britt Daniel is necessarily celebrating this lifestyle. The chorus suggests that they do what they do to escape the reality of their situation, knowing full well that it won't last. Or maybe I've seen Trainspotting one too many times.

    Rasputin007on December 25, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    How can you all have missed this? Shake Appeal, Some Wierd Sin and Down on the Street are all Iggy Pop (The Stooges) songs.
    This song is about being young and blissfully idle, and how the music you listen to forms a soundtrack to your life. This group of young people, self made bohemians, have created a carefree lifestyle for themselves, while listening to iggy pop. They (Britt Daniel) are saying, this is what we like, what we do, what turns us on, in this life we have made.

    Molesworthon March 27, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Just some things I wanted to add:

    first, some comments are sort of debating whether the lifestyle that the song is about is being described as good or bad, but I think the words "that's just the way we get by" are meant to carry the implication in themselves that it's neither a good nor a bad lifestyle, it's simply the way they live and it works so it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of it

    also, to devastator who said "just because they mention pot doesn't mean they are stoners", well i really doubt they'd say they get high 3 times in a song if they didn't smoke regularly, but i don't think weed is the focus of the song or even a very important part of its message, it's simply a prime example and constant part of their lifestyle, which, as i said, they aren't glorifying or showing the evils of but simply describing as the premise of the song

    ps: I personally don't mind crappy mainstream shows like the OC showcasing good music like spoon. Although I have much more respect for anyone that discovers spoon themselves and not through the OC, at least those that discover it through the OC aren't just listening to the mainstream rap shit on most of the radio. And while some would argue that it doesn't matter what they listen to and that they are dragging good music into a teeny bopper hell hole, I prefer the less cynical (but possibly overly hopeful) belief that truly good music retains it's dignity and integrity (it's goodness) no matter who listens to it and the music's message will wear off at least a little on to anyone that listens to it, even someone that watches the OC

    calculatorwatchon May 12, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    OK, well to attack everyone on different levels,

    First I'll go after the people I like most, those who hate the O.C. people. As much as I agree that the show is one of the worst shows becauses it uses predictable plot lines and sex to get people to watch it, and then tells people how life should be, if it has good music, it has good music. I hate when people act as if they are Spoon themselves, and that their music shouldn't be listened to by everyone. Spoon can give out it's rights to anyone, and so what if trendy little tweens listen to The Way We Get By and get the giggles because they said pot. I have faith in the great songs they put on those shows in that they can handle the two weeks the idiots will listen to it and then find whatever is the new hit song from the show. Although I can understand your feelings, don't let these people bother you since it isn't your music in the first place.

    Secondly, I am attacking anyone naive to think that this song isn't about drugs, especailly pot, or anyone who is naive enough to put a negative connotation on pot. Obviously, the life of a stereotypical stoner is not a good one to live, but if people actually knew anything about marijuanna, you would know that it isn't going to kill you, and the damage it causes is minimal. It is a great song, so enjoy it, but don't try to pretend you don't year what you are listening to.

    Thirdly, I am going to attack anyone who thinks this song is just about pot, however, this isn't really a harsh attack since you would have had to read Trainspotting to see where i am comming from. If you have read Trainspotting, it is about heroin addicts who are huge fans of Iggy Pop and The Stooges. While Spoon (like what you cook heroin on) may just also be big fans of IP, I find it odd that they would break into mobile homes, go out in stormy weather, and rarely practice dicern becuase of pot. This sounds more like someone who needs their fix, similar to the book/movie when he fishes through the shit to find the suppositories. Also, the idea that they are the sum of themselves, as in better together, makes me think that the group relies on each other for getting the gear.

    As to the idea of this song being negative, I think it is sort of negative from an outsider view, and from the singer, almost negative in the fact that he is aware of all the redic stuff they do for their gear, but neutral in that it is just life for them. Sort of like the song Time to Pretend by MGMT.

    ChuckBeanson January 29, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Great song, very catchy. Just wanted to chime in with a little clarification: "Fall in love to Down on the Street" is, I'm guessing, a reference to the classic Stooges song 'Down on the Street'. And that's all I have to say. Really.

    Cherub Rockon January 29, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think they've all been identified, but:

    -"Shake Appeal" -"Some Weird Sin" -"Down On The Street"

    All Stooges songs. Maybe they should be in quotations in the lyrics?

    mr.sozeon December 11, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it's a song about the life of a stoner couple.

    crazedmogxon June 28, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i'm not a genius, but i think this song is about drugs!!!

    yeah, a stoner couple sounds pretty accurate...

    girlscouton April 11, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ooooh what a good song.

    i love the line: WE BELIEVE IN THE SUM OF OURSELVES

    it's so romantic.

    scarletbegonianbon May 07, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think this song is also about a stoner couple, but a really romantic one. The guy singing "thats the way to my heart" is my favorite part of the whole song, its like he's talking to me..ok maybe i am getting off on the subject.. WE GET HIGH IN BACK SEATS OF CARS WE PUT FAITH IN OUR CONCERNS they do what they want and just care about what they want to. Great song that just sticks with you

    roxygrrl182on October 31, 2004   Link

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