The way it is

"The Way It Is" is a song by Bruce Hornsby. It was released in August 1986 as the second single from the debut album by American rock group Bruce Hornsby and the Range; The Way It Is. 


It made explicit reference to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States of America.

The opening verse recounts a story taking place at a line for welfare that illustrates the divide between the rich and poor. 

The chorus then insists that social ills are "just the way it is", and subversively ends with the line "but don't you believe them."

This is what the song is all about!

The second verse has the voice of someone supporting racial segregation. The song reminds us that it was (and is) accepted that racial segregation was "just the way it is", however, (we hope) change will come, despite those who insist "some things will never change."

The third verse sings of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a victory, but highlights individual prejudice and employment discrimination as an enduring form of racism.

Skaggs & Hornsby

Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby Bring Collaboration to Nashville Stage
 
Two Musical Masters Pack the Ryman Auditorium for Night of Music, Stories and Jokes
 
by Samantha Stephens 10/7/2013
 
Bluegrass icon Ricky Skaggs and master pianist Bruce Hornsby teamed up Saturday night (Oct. 5) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for a concert filled with lightning-fast country and bluegrass picking and a whole lot of grinning. It was all in celebration of their latest collaboration, Cluck ‘Ol Hen, a live album which is out now.

Yes, we mean that Bruce Hornsby, who had major pop success in the ’80s and later toured with the Grateful Dead.

If you’re wondering how these two seemingly unlikely musical forces became friends, you’re not alone.

As it turns out, the two have known each other and enjoyed a deep friendship for years and first headed into the studio together back in 2007 for the aptly-titled Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby. It featured Hornsby songs like the piano-driven “Mandolin Rain” reinvented into bluegrass tunes and also a revamp of Rick James’ “Super Freak.” Pretty wild, huh?

The two musicians enjoyed their work together so much, they decided to release the new album and go back on the road to recapture the magic.

Traditional songs like “Bluegrass Breakdown” and “Darling Corey” got the signature Hornsby treatment at the Ryman while his radio hit “The Way It Is” got a Skaggs mandolin makeover. They told stories about the late great Bill Monroe and being in the studio together. We also learned Hornsby is not a fan of text messaging and that Skaggs’ wife — Sharon White of the The Whites — has been known to run onstage and dance during an up-tempo number.

The night was like sitting around the a fire with family and friends you love, sharing laughs and moments — all while listening to the some of the finest musicianship in any genre.

The moment of the evening had to be the stellar encore, where the duo took the stage again for Hornsby to lead a moving medley of “Just One More” and George Jones‘ “The Grand Tour” before “White Wheeled Limousine.”