The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World: No. 20
- Posted by Spinner Staff
- Comments (40)
'That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be'Carly Simon (1971)
The Breakdown: Marriage is inevitably dismal in this evocative pop hit, which was recorded a year before Simon's ill-fated marriage to James Taylor.
The Waterworks: "Their children hate them for the things they're not/They hate themselves for what they are."
Casualty Count: All marriages, one American dream.
Listen to 'That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be'
Buy it on iTunes
- Filed under: Songs, The Hit List
- Share & Bookmark :
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Carlyat 8-31-2009
I might have been named after Carly Simon.
Karen Mesingat 9-05-2009
Classic. Well compose. Melancholy yet romantic. Bring back fond memory. I truly enjoy this song.
Sharonat 10-02-2009
I always LOVED this song as a child. I used to sneak into my sisters room and play her albums, this was one song I would listen to OVER AND OVER. I knew it by heart and I was only 8. The echoing ending was my favorite. I could feel that melancholy heart and I had no idea what that song was even about!!! Very moving song and as an adult, I can esp see the meanings.
Paul Christmanat 10-14-2009
I was nine years old in '71 when I first heard this song one night before going to bed. I immediately fell in love with it, it's so beautiful and haunting. I rank it along with Janis Ian's "At Seventeen" and Stevie Nicks' "Sara" as being among my favorite songs from my childhood.
Beau Rayat 5-05-2007
Aaaaawwwww...Carly Simon Taylor...always a favorite
Judith Ostergardat 5-07-2007
I have a grandmother that's dying and her favorite song was by Claude de Bussy "Claire de Lune. Could this type of musis be added to your repetoire, or is there a place that I'm not aware of?
Judith Ostergard
Brandonat 10-05-2009
You didn't have to put your name as a signature. It does that automatically.
Patrick L Salterat 5-05-2007
This album is great and I will buy it. a truely great collection.
Johnat 5-05-2007
Carly Simon"s music . . .
evokes many fond memories . Still have a crush on her.
F. John
Pamat 5-05-2007
This is a great song. I loved it then and now!
Sonneyat 5-05-2007
Maybe someday a statuesque beauty like Carly will jump me, maybe. Great song! BTW, Carly was filthy $rich$ even if she never sold one record.
Cookieat 5-05-2007
My mother loves Carly. I grew up listening to it. Loved it then (didn't know what it was about, love it now. This song is exactly what I think marriage would be. I am still single because of it.
Darat 5-06-2007
A very true song.Another personal favorite.
Jat 5-06-2007
I was a teenager when Carly Simon's song
That's Way I Always Heard It Should Be came out, and is paramount to a lot of teen's of that era.
This song fits my parents to a tea. Married because thats what you do after highschool, or college. They divorced after 32 years... My older brother and older sisters could walk step by step with that song. Me? I am happily married for 26 years because that song taught me to communicate and not follow the stereo typical marriage of happily ever after. My brother is still married, 36 years, sister divorced, and two never married.
It's a 24/7 relationship and marriages should never be built on fairy tales.
Marianneat 5-06-2007
i first heard Carly (this song) when i was 14..and now at 51, she is still my favorite singer/songwriter, one whose words and music touch my soul like no one else can.
L E Corriat 5-06-2007
Sad, yes. But in the whole world? Hardly. Listen to There Were Roses by Masterless Men or Kilkelly Ireland if you want to hear sad.
Bobbyat 5-06-2007
"Nobody Does It Better" I guess would count too.
Leeat 5-06-2007
It's a great(albiet melancholy)song from when pop lyrics and music still meant something.
Leeat 5-06-2007
A great song (albiet melancholy) from when pop lyrics and music meant something.
Carolat 5-06-2007
I LOVEEEEE this song, and always will!!!!!!!!