Spinner

The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World: No. 20

'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.

All Sad Songs

Listen to 'That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be'

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48 Comments

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Travis

Some ppl like her. I can't really comment, cuz I don't. Oh wait, too late...

April 13 2010 at 4:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Liz

I always loved this song. Then came Disco and Rap. My kids
have at last found music they love now. It's the music from
my era. They both say that music now is lousy, has no poetry
or melody or heart. All Rap sounds the same, it's just a way
to get your clothing line on the store shelves.

February 20 2010 at 12:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
carol

i love her voice and love this song...brings back the good olde dazes songs with meaning

February 13 2010 at 10:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
angerISFORlosers

im pretty sure older music is way better than the music of today..more emotion

January 13 2010 at 11:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
OSVALDO

CARLY, ENOUGH SAID, SWEET VELVET VOICE, TOP OF THE LINE..

December 08 2009 at 10:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
semajae

perhaps sum1 should listen to Lil Corey... im missing you...it'z so sad

December 05 2009 at 4:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul Christman

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.

October 13 2009 at 11:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kitty

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.

October 02 2009 at 10:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Karen Mesing

Classic. Well compose. Melancholy yet romantic. Bring back fond memory. I truly enjoy this song.

September 05 2009 at 4:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Carly

I might have been named after Carly Simon.

August 30 2009 at 6:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply