That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be
Love's Illusions Unveiled: Carly Simon's Poetic Reflection on Relationships
Lyrics
My father sits at night with no lights on
Describing the father sitting in the dark without lights.
His cigarette glows in the dark
Highlighting the father's lit cigarette in the dark room.
The living room is still
Portraying a quiet and still living room.
I walk by, no remark
The singer walking by without any comments or acknowledgment.
I tiptoe past the master bedroom where
Describing the master bedroom where the mother reads magazines.
My mother reads her magazines
Highlighting the mother's activity in the bedroom.
I hear her call sweet dreams
Describing the mother wishing sweet dreams, possibly to the singer.
But I forget how to dream
Expressing the singer's inability to remember how to dream.
(How to dream, how to dream)
Repeating the theme of forgetting how to dream.
But you say it's time we moved in together
Someone suggesting the idea of moving in together and starting a family.
And raised a family of our own, you and me
The proposal to build a family together.
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
Stating that this is the expected or traditional way things should be.
You want to marry me
A direct question or proposal to marry.
My friends from college, they're all married now
Observing that friends from college are already married.
They have their houses and their lawns
Describing the settled lives of friends with houses and lawns.
They have their silent noons
Highlighting moments of silence in their lives.
Tearful nights, angry dawns
Portraying emotional turmoil in their lives - tears, anger.
Their children hate them for the things they're not (things they'll never be)
Children disliking their parents for what they lack.
They hate themselves for what they are
Reflecting self-hatred among the friends for who they are.
And yet they drink, they laugh
Despite their issues, they still find moments of joy.
Close the wound, hide the scar
Coping mechanisms to hide emotional scars.
But you say it's time we moved in together
Reiteration of the suggestion to move in together and start a family.
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Re-emphasizing the proposal to build a family.
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
Restating that this is the traditional or expected way of life.
You want to marry me
Repeating the direct proposal to marry.
You say we can keep our love alive
The partner expressing confidence in keeping love alive.
Babe, all I know is what I see
The singer, skeptical, relying only on observable reality.
The couples cling and claw
Describing couples clinging to each other and struggling.
And drown in love's debris
Using metaphorical language to describe the challenges of love.
You say we'll soar like two birds through the clouds
Partner envisioning a harmonious future like two birds flying.
But soon you'll cage me on your shelf
Warning about potential restrictions and confinement in the relationship.
I'll never learn to be just me first
The singer expressing difficulty in maintaining individuality.
By myself
Emphasizing the struggle to be oneself while in a relationship.
Well okay, it's time we moved in together
Agreeing to the suggestion of moving in together and starting a family.
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Reiterating the proposal to build a family together.
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
Restating the traditional or expected way of life.
You want to marry me
Repeating the direct proposal to marry.
We'll marry
Final confirmation of the intention to marry.
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