From the shelter of your home
As you walk into the rain
Send a message that you know she'll hear
Though she's far away
Even though you have been wrong before
She'll hear you now
You know she will
But you don't know how

From the shelter of the rain
As you walk into the Tube
As you think of how you wonder if
She thinks about you too
Even though you've waited so long
To see the day
When she will turn
To you again
'So long my friend'
Is what you'll say

And I don't know
Why you feel so bad
Where is the life you once had?
And still this horrid feeling grows and grows
The way you want it to

Even though you've waited so long
To see the day
When she will turn
To you again
'So long my friend'
Is what you'll say

And I don't know
Why you feel so bad
Where is the life you once had?
And still this horrid feeling grows and grows
The way you want it to

You're a fool though
Why you feel so bad
Where is the life you once had?
And still this hollow feeling grows and grows
The way you want it to


Lyrics submitted by goaliegreenberg

The Way You Want It Lyrics as written by Tom Chaplin Timothy James Rice-oxley

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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The Way You Want It song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • 0
    General CommentBeautiful song, because it's about people's conscience.

    Even though you might be in a different place, doing different things and living a totally different life, you can't escape what you've done wrong in the past if don't face up to it and take full responsibility. The person might think they've steered clear of their previous mistakes by running away, but thoughts come back to haunt them and they begin to miss the good things, such as her love. So what does this life of 'horrid feelings' compare to the once-happy memories which he now yearns for?

    As unhappy as he is, he feels that he deserves it, because he hasn't really escaped from the past at all, no matter how he tries. And he knows that she knows, which means life now is even more wretched. He almost welcomes his depressive thoughts because trying not to think about it will drive him crazier.
    The Spyderon December 28, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis is a really great song
    iamsceneon February 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is a beautiful song about breaking up.
    It's about how this guy did something to hurt his girlfriend. He didn't notice what he lost till it was too late.
    He still loves her but he knows that he doesn't deserve her so "'So long my friend,' is what you'll say
    " explains this.
    esseyon March 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI see it more like this guy wanted a girl for so long, and by the time he has gotten over her, she wants him. Hence, "even though you've waited so long to see the day when she will turn to you again" and "so long, my friend is what you say".

    Maybe they broke up, and the guy still wants her, and THEN as soon as she realizes she wants him too, he changes his mind...?...sorry, this made a lot more sense in my head, haha.
    raebiteson May 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think that makes a lot of sense raebites

    This is such a good song
    FSU Kellyon June 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentYeah, I would agree... It really describes someone that I know. I always thought it was about this guy who knew this girl liked him... and he wronged her in some way. Still, he can't get her off his mind. She no lonegr likes him, she is mad and hurt. He can't stop thinking about her... and yet "even though you've waited so long to see the day when she will turn to you again... so long my friend is what you'll say"

    The title, "the way you want it to" can apply to the pain that this guy feels... it hurts... the way he wants it to. He's not in love with her but in love with the guilt that she made him feel. "And I don't know why you feel so bad. Where is the life you once had? And still this horrid feeling grows and grows the way you want it to?"

    I think he may have a past of being emotionally void an no one made him feel bad for what he had done... except her.
    oddone460on February 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think it makes the most sense that it is a guy who holds a grudge because of a relationship. She broke up with him, he is still in love with her, and he always thinks of her and wonders if she thinks of him too. As time passes, he grows bitter, and even if she returns to him, he would shun her. He feels horrid, but... he does it to himself.
    Kikipaion July 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI agree with Kikipai. I also think this song is about a guy who has been dumped by his girlfriend. Days pass by and he still has feelings for her, but at the same time, as days pass, his heart becomes more cold. He can't remember how it's like to live without her (Where is the life you once had?), and even if she returns to him, he'd have to turn her down (When she will turn to you again
    'So long my friend,' is what you'll say).
    GunghoFilipinoon August 15, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI am in this stage now. So I think it's really about a girl that doesn't know what she wants, so she parts away to think about herself, and it just kills me that she's not feeling the same way as i feel for her.

    I'm just scared that when she finally realized that she prefers to be with me, that I will turn my face and say goodbye, even though i know deep in my heart that I want her so bad. I'm just scared that my pride will play a role. Thus that shields me of getting hurt again.

    It's so difficult
    Yoga1978on February 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment"You're a fool though, why you feel so bad/Where is the life you once had?"... The guy feels bad because they broke up and he also feels like it's lost and can't return his life. And he's sure that if he explains her why he commited those mistakes, she'll understad but he feels so guilty that he can't even talk to her.
    Wil6on March 23, 2009   Link

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