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 (easy chords)
Chords: Am7, Em7, D, Cadd9, G, Fmaj7, C
Easy Guitar Song: Ideal for Beginners
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The Way It Is
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other keyAm7 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: q = 111
- Voice Range: D3 - A4
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