SLS: That’s Just The Way It Is

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For this week’s Song Lyric Sunday Jim is inviting us to play a song by someone who has won the Grammy Award For Best New Artist, which he tells us about in his post Sprouting And Thriving. Needless to say this necessitated some research on my part, as while the Grammys are a big thing in the US the coverage of them here amounts to the square root of diddly squat. This Award was first presented in the second of these extravaganzas, back in 1960, and has been given out every year since then except for 1967, for a reason which appears to have been a secret.

The citation is that it is “for a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.” This doesn’t have to be their first record, but the one that brings them to public attention. As many of the recipients have then sunk without trace it has become known as the ‘kiss of death,’ and apparently one of the Starland Vocal Band has said that it was precisely that for their career. “Who?” you may now be asking? Just think about a song extolling the delights of an afternoon shag and it should come back to you.

But I’m not playing that one. I have chosen two songs for today, both from artists I have played before – but not these songs for SLS. Both are well-deserving of my attention. My lead (and title) song is especially relevant now in the US, though I don’t think it has ever not been important for its message. This is from the 1987 winners:

I’ve been advised that this video isn’t available in the US, but that this link will work for you: https://youtu.be/cOeKidp-iWo?si=0q-E6RIKFtnKYemo

And those very important lyrics:

Standing in line, marking timeWaiting for the welfare dime‘Cause they can’t buy a jobThe man in the silk suit hurries byAs he catches the poor old ladies’ eyesJust for fun he says, “get a job”
 
That’s just the way it isSome things’ll never changeThat’s just the way it isAh, but don’t you believe them
 
Said, “Hey little boy, you can’t go where the others go‘Cause you don’t look like they do”Said, “Hey old man, how can you standTo think that way?Did you really think about itBefore you made the rules?”
 
He said, “SonWell, that’s just the way it isSome things’ll never changeThat’s just the way it isAh, but don’t you believe them”
 
Mm, yeah
 
Well, they passed a law in ’64To give those who ain’t got a little moreBut it only goes so farBecause the law don’t change another’s mindWhen all it sees at the hiring timeIs the line on the color bar, no, no
 
That’s just the way it isAnd some things’ll never changeBut that’s just the way it isThat’s just the way it is, it is, it is, it is
 
Source: LyricFind
Songwriter: Bruce Hornsby
 
That is an absolutely incredible song, with an important message about the need to look out for those less fortunate than we are, and not to look on them as figures of fun. As I said, it is particularly pertinent now with the newly-elected US President’s agenda of taking the country back to the days of hatred and discrimination. Bruce Hornsby and the Range released their debut album, The Way It Is, in April 1986 and it reached #3 in the US and #16 in the UK. It is a wonderful album, nine songs and not a dud among them. I played it again the other day and reminded myself just how good it is: I could have played you any of its tracks, and it was a toss up between this one and Every Little Kiss, but this one just won out for being the title track and for its message – and I’ve played the other one for SLS before, anyway. This was the second single taken from the album, in September of that year: it reached #1 in the US and #15 here in the UK. A pretty spectacular debut all round, I think! The album sold more than 3m copies in the US, and in my view thoroughly merited its Grammy Award.
 
My second song for today is from the 1992 winner. I played one of the other tracks from this album for SLS just last month, and have played its best known song a couple of times on Tuesdays. Again, this is a superb album from which I could have played you the full set, but I’m going with the one which closes it, a thing of real beauty. There are several videos on YouTube where people have used this song as an accompaniment to weddings, but I’m going with the simple original recording. Who needs pictures, anyway – the words speak volumes:
 
 
Marc Cohn’s eponymous debut album was released in February 1991, making #38 in the US and #27 in the UK. Its best placings were #14 in Germany and #15 in Canada. In addition to its Grammy the album has gone Platinum in the US for a million sales, and Gold in both the UK (100k) and Germany (250k). The album’s sales were no doubt helped by the success of the lead single taken from it – Walking In Memphis – which peaked at #13 in the US and has become Marc’s signature song, despite the abomination of Cher’s cover version.
 
So, that’s me done for today. Two great songs from two superb albums I bought when they came out, played to bits and have loved ever since. Two worthy winners of the Grammy for Best New Artist, and two good examples of why having talent may help you to develop a long career in music and to fight off the ‘kiss of death’ stigma. Who were the Starland Vocal Band anyway?
 
See you again for Tuesday Tunes 😊🎶
 
 
 

43 thoughts on “SLS: That’s Just The Way It Is”

    • It was great, wasn’t it. Someone mentioned earlier that the video wouldn’t work but she had found one that did. Thank you for that link : I’ll try it out and add it to the post, tomorrow morning as it’s getting late here and I’ll only mess it up!

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    • Must be a copyright thing. Nancy mentioned that earlier but she found one on YouTube that did work, so hopefully you can find that too if you want to see it. It’s the official one, just the band playing the song in the studio.

      Like you, I wore that album out, as I did with Marc Cohn’s – I’m pleased you liked that one too 😊

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    • Yes, it will pass, but how much damage will he have done and how far backwards will he have taken your country? This song is as relevant now as ever.

      You should listen more to Marc Cohn – he has made some lovely records.

      Thank you for hosting, as ever 👍

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  13. Two nice song selections today, Clive. The Bruce Hornsby video would not play for me but I found it on YouTube. His piano-playing skills are impressive.
    Marc Cohn is a delight and this morning’s song is no exception.
    It looks like we Yanks will be the ones hunting and pecking for song info as those of you across the pond will have the hometown advantage on SLS for the remainder of the year. I will try to keep grousing to a minimum … no promises, though. 😊

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    • Odd that it wouldn’t play there – it’s an official video by an American band! But I’m glad you found one that would. He’s a skilful pianist and has written many great songs.

      I’m pleased you like Marc Cohn too, I’ve been a fan since that first album.

      Good luck finding anything to play from the Brit Awards – they are unremitting shite and I’m going to struggle too. At least the last one is for the OGWT – a progamme that was always worth watching.

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  15. ‘The Way It Is’ is one of those songs that still stands up decades later. I was lucky enough to see Bruce Hornsby back in the ’80’s as support to Hughie Lewis and The News, and his keyboard dexterity was incredible.

    The Marc Cohen track is really nice, though I’ll admit I’m not as familiar with his work.

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