That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be Lyrics

Lyric discussion by joeb3414 

Cover art for That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be lyrics by Carly Simon

Clearly we have to live within reality This song is written By a male in a few view points as a duet . Let me explain , It get much better and sadder . If you listen . Foot note- Jones beach is a reference to the addiction of love ( the Jones boys, addiction ) First Verse - From a Mans view as the child in him . The Inner child's .Memories My father sits at night with no lights on His cigarette glows in the dark Ext (shortened for readability ) Two and three Duet Chorus Female voice But you say it's time we moved in together And raised a family of our own, you and me,( She is pleading ) Male Voice ,,Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be You want to marry me, we'll marry.(, He submits ) Second verse - My friends from college they're all married now They have their houses and their lawns They have their silent noons Tearful nights, angry dawns Their children hate them for the things they're not They hate themselves for what they are And yet they drink, they laugh Close the wound, hide the scar

He is doubtful about marriage , from what He has seen as a child . He see's but she is wooing him . Chorus again , The same Female voice , But you say it's time we moved in together And raised a family of our own, you and me He submits again . Last verse - Male Voice , And this is the important part look at the words . You say we can keep our love alive Babe all I know is what I see The couples cling and claw And drown in love's debris You say we'll soar like two birds through the clouds But soon you'll cage me on your shelf I'll never learn to be just me first By myself The words -You say ... He is talking with someone, A female . She is convincing him to Marry . We see this would have made a great duet , But Carly is so good she does it as a ballad . but , she does leave clues to the meaning and why . Beer me ,Thank you .

My Interpretation

@joeb3414 If you are still doubtful look at verse three The word " Babe" Any man that grew up in the 70s Knows this as a common term of endearment , "Ha Babe" Its gender oriented , a male centrism , Of The time .Slight chauvinism .

@joeb3414 I have seen it purely as a woman questioning marriage and in the seventies I am not surprised, women stopped working and were lost in marriages. Which is not to say all marriages are bad. I find your reply interesting, because it escapes you a woman can feel this cynical about marriage and Carly did.