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.
Listen to 'That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be'
Buy it on iTunes
Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: Songs, The Hit List
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Beau Rayat 5-05-2007
Aaaaawwwww...Carly Simon Taylor...always a favorite
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!
I'm iiikingtom@aol.com and I love ladies for free, ok!?!
BTW, Carly was filthy $rich$ even if she never sold one record.
Ask for "Malcolm" in Marion, Illinois of America, OK?
Malcolm is a lover dude!
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.
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.
Darat 5-06-2007
A very true song.Another personal favorite.
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!!!!!!!!
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
Judith Ostergardat 5-07-2007
Where can I purchase this Clair de Lune music?
Kellyat 5-09-2007
This is the first time I've heard this song and I love it despite the topic...I'm weird like that i guess.
Carmenat 5-09-2007
all u guyz are freaking morons. angel eyes by sting and only the very best by peter kingsberry are the saddest songs ever
Chris Eberleinat 5-09-2007
This song is amazing. Simon rocks. Her music is timeless. This song is definitely one of the best, coming from one of the best singer-songwriters around.
Jodiat 5-10-2007
Very good, very real and well written.