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That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be Lyrics
[Verse 1]
My father sits at night with no lights on
His cigarette glows in the dark
The living room is still
I walk by, no remark
[Verse 2]
I tiptoe past the master bedroom where
My mother reads her magazines
I hear her call sweet dreams
But I forget how to dream
[Chorus]
But you say it's time we moved in together
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
You want to marry me
We'll marry
[Verse 3]
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
[Verse 4]
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
My father sits at night with no lights on
His cigarette glows in the dark
The living room is still
I walk by, no remark
[Verse 2]
I tiptoe past the master bedroom where
My mother reads her magazines
I hear her call sweet dreams
But I forget how to dream
[Chorus]
But you say it's time we moved in together
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
You want to marry me
We'll marry
[Verse 3]
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
[Verse 4]
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
[Chorus]
But you say it's time we moved in together
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
You want to marry me
We'll marry
[Verse 5]
You say that 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
[Verse 6]
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
[Chorus]
Well okay, it's time we moved in together
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
You want to marry me
We'll marry (Marry)
But you say it's time we moved in together
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
You want to marry me
We'll marry
[Verse 5]
You say that 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
[Verse 6]
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
[Chorus]
Well okay, it's time we moved in together
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
You want to marry me
We'll marry (Marry)
About
Genius Annotation
“That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” is the lead single from Carly Simon’s self-titled debut album.
Elektra Records were concerned that the song was too emotionally complex to be released as Carly’s first single.
About the song, Carly was quoted years later as saying:
When I first wrote it, I thought it was an unusual thing for people to break up and now all my friends are divorced.
The song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. It was also nominated for Grammy Award for “Best Pop Female Vocalist”.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be
- 2.Alone
- 7.Another Door
- 8.Reunions
Credits
Producer
Writers
Release Date
1971
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