The Way It Is chords
by Bruce HornsbySong Key: G Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 111 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner 🟢
Chords: Am7, Em7, D, Cadd9, G, Fmaj7, C
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The Way It Is
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
Am7 Em7 D C G D C
Intro: 4/4 ‖: - | - | - | :‖
‖ Drums | Drums | Drums | Drums ‖
Am7 Em7 D C G D Cadd9
‖: - | - | - | :‖
Am7 Em7
1. Stand-ing in line, mark-ing time
D C
Wait-ing for the wel-fare dime
G D C
'Cause they can't buy a job
Am7 Em7
A man in the silk suit hur-ries by
D C
As he cat-ches the poor old la-dy's eye
G D C
Just for fun he says "Get a job."
G Fmaj7 C
Chorus: | - | That's just the way it is |
G Fmaj7 C
| - | Some things will ne-ver change |
G Fmaj9 C
| - | That's just the way it is |
G Fmaj9 C Am7 Em7
| - | Ah, but don't you be-lieve them
D C G D Cadd9
| - | - | |
Am7 Em7 D C
2. Said hey, lit-tle boy, you can't go where the o-thers go
G D C
'Cause you don't look like they do
Am7 Em7 D C
Said hey, old man, how can you stand to think that way?
G D C
Did you real-ly think a-bout it be-fore you made the rules?
He said, son
G Fmaj7 C
Chorus: |(son)- | That's just the way it is |
G Fmaj7 C
| - | Some things will ne-ver change |
G Fmaj7 C
| - | That's just the way it is |
G Fmaj7 C |
| - | Ah, but don't you be-(lieve them)...
Am7 Em7 D C G D C
Instr: |(be-lieve them) | - | - | mm|...yeah
Am7 Em7 D C G D Cadd9
||: - | - | - | :|| x5
G Fmaj7 C
Bridge: | - | That's just the way it is |
G Fmaj7 C
| - | That's just the way it is |
Am7 Em7
3. Well, they passed a law in '64
D C
To give those who ain't got a lit-tle more
G D C
But it on-ly goes so far
Am7 Em7
'Cause the law don't change a-no-ther's mind
D C
When all it sees at the hir-ing time
G D C
Is the line on the co-lor bar, oh no
G Fmaj7 C
Chorus: | - | That's just the way it is |
G Fmaj7 C
| - | Some things will never change |
G Fmaj7 C
| - | That's just the way it is |
G Fmaj7 C
| - | That's just the | way it is... |
Am7 Em7 D C G D Cadd9
Outro: ‖ - | - | - | ‖... Repeat to Fade
Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: G Major - 1 sharp (F#)
- Time Signature: 4/4 - Four quarter-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderately (with a groove)
- Metronome: ♩ = 111
- Voice Range: D3 - A4
- Chord Types in This Arrangement:
- Major chords: D, G, C
- Minor 7th chords: Am7, Em7
- Major 7th chord: Fmaj7
- Extended chord: Cadd9
Song Details:
- Songwriter: Bruce Hornsby
- Lyrics Begin: Standing in line, marking time, waiting for the welfare dime...
- Genre: Soft Rock, Pop
- Featured Artist: Bruce Hornsby
- Album: The Way It Is
Recorded: 1985–1986
Released: April 24, 1986 - Single:
Released: September 1986 (US)
B-side: The Wild Frontier
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