That's Just the Way It Is

Last updated

"That's Just the Way It Is"
That's Just the Way It Is.jpg
Single by Phil Collins
from the album ...But Seriously
B-side "Broadway Chorus"
Released16 July 1990 (1990-07-16) [1]
Length5:19
Label Atlantic, Virgin, WEA
Songwriter(s) Phil Collins
Producer(s) Phil Collins, Hugh Padgham
Phil Collins singles chronology
"Something Happened on the Way to Heaven"
(1990)		"That's Just the Way It Is"
(1990)		"Do You Remember?"
(1990)

"That's Just the Way It Is" is a song by English drummer Phil Collins, released as a single in July 1990 from his fourth solo studio album, ...But Seriously (1989). The track features David Crosby on background vocals. The song was only released as a single in Europe and Australasia, while "Do You Remember?" was instead released in the United States. The song reached number 26 in the UK Singles Chart.

Contents

The song, according to Collins, is an anti-war ballad that heavily deals with The Troubles of Northern Ireland. The song itself was positively received by most critics. The B-side to the song was "Broadway Chorus", the demo version of "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven".

Song information

The song is an anti-war ballad, about the conflict in Northern Ireland, The Troubles. [2] [3] [4] Phil Collins said of the song:

It's about Northern Ireland as far as I am concerned. Which in England we are used to it all the time, I mean Ireland of course, it's on the doorstep but everywhere else in the world it's... just another news report, but if you are living in England and you just sort of constantly [hear of] people getting blown to smithereens because this thing that's been going on for the last twenty—but also for a lot longer in Ireland, it's only just come to the front in the last twenty years. You see newsreels of kids throwing petrol bombs because their brothers throw them and then their dads throw them and their dad's dad and it's just bred, inbred, now this violence and I just thought someone somewhere, and it's got to be from both sides, has got to say "Hang on, life means more than this. This has got to stop." [5]

David Crosby performs backing vocals on the song and duets with Collins several times. During live performances of the song, Collins would precede it with a monologue about what he thought were the "evils of war". [6] The San Jose Mercury News criticized this, saying, "But instead of reinforcing his persona as rock's Good Old Bloke, it came across as a piece of show biz, as if he wasn't feeling it but simply reading it." [6] The B-side of the single was "Broadway Chorus", a demo version of another hit single from the album, "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven".

Reception

Don McLeese of The Chicago Sun-Times said that David Crosby was "used more effectively" on this song than any other song which had Crosby on the album. [7] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette however, said that the song was "so lyrically vague it lacked punch". [8] Jon Pareles of The New York Times thought that the song "[echoed] Bruce Hornsby in tone and title". [9] The San Jose Mercury News thought the song was "pretty". [10] Lennox Samuels of The Dallas Morning News thought that the song "starts out as if it is going to be another "In the Air Tonight"..."before it moves into being an anti-war song". [11] Meanwhile, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution thought that Crosby's vocals "lends challenging harmony". [12]

Track listing

  1. "That's Just the Way It Is" – 5:19
  2. "Broadway Chorus" ("Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" demo version) – 4:17
  3. "In the Air Tonight" (extended version) – 7:35

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In the Air Tonight</span> 1981 single by Phil Collins

"In the Air Tonight" is the debut solo single by English drummer and singer-songwriter Phil Collins. It was released as the lead single from Collins's debut solo album, Face Value, in January 1981.

<i>The Miracle</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Queen

The Miracle is the thirteenth studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on 22 May 1989 by Parlophone Records and Capitol Records in both the United Kingdom and the U.S. respectively, where it was the band's only studio album to be released on latter label. The album was recorded as the band recovered from Brian May's marital problems and Freddie Mercury's HIV diagnosis in 1987. Recording started in January 1988 and lasted for an entire year. The album was originally going to be called The Invisible Men, but three weeks before the release, according to Roger Taylor, they changed the name to The Miracle. It was also the last Queen album with a photo of the band on the front cover.

<i>...But Seriously</i> 1989 album by Phil Collins

...But Seriously is the fourth solo studio album by English drummer and singer-songwriter Phil Collins. It was released on 20 November 1989 in the United Kingdom by Virgin Records, and on 24 November 1989 in the United States by Atlantic Records. After Collins finished touring commitments with the rock band Genesis in 1987, the group entered a four-year hiatus, during which Collins starred in the feature film Buster (1988). By the spring of 1989, Collins had written material for a new solo album, which addressed more serious lyrical themes, like socio-economic and political issues, as opposed to his previous dance-oriented album, No Jacket Required (1985).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suite: Judy Blue Eyes</span> Song of Crosby, Stills & Nash

"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" is a song written by Stephen Stills and performed by Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN). It appeared on the group's self-titled debut album in 1969 and was released as a single, reaching number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. In Canada, "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" peaked at number 11. The song imitates the form of a classical music suite as an ordered set of musical pieces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Day in Paradise</span> 1989 single by Phil Collins

"Another Day in Paradise" is a song written and recorded by English drummer and singer Phil Collins. Produced by Collins along with Hugh Padgham, it was released as the first single from his number-one album ...But Seriously (1989). As with his song for Genesis, "Man on the Corner", the track has as its subject the problem of homelessness and paradise; as such, the song was a substantial departure from the dance-pop music of his previous album, No Jacket Required (1985).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You'll Be in My Heart</span> Song by Phil Collins

"You'll Be in My Heart" is a song by English drummer and singer Phil Collins from the 1999 Disney animated feature Tarzan. It appeared on Tarzan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack as well as various other Disney compilations. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and became Collins' last US top-40 single, peaking at number 21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breakthru (song)</span> 1989 single by Queen

"Breakthru" is a song by the British rock band Queen. Written by Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor but credited to Queen, it was released in June 1989 from the album The Miracle. The single reached number seven in the UK, and peaked at number 6 in the Netherlands and Ireland, but failed to chart in the US. The song is notable for its video where the group is performing the song on an open platform of a fast-moving steam train.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One More Night (Phil Collins song)</span> 1985 single by Phil Collins

"One More Night" is the first single in the United States and second in the United Kingdom from Phil Collins' third studio album, the Diamond-certified No Jacket Required. "One More Night" was Phil Collins' second U.S. No. 1 single, following "Against All Odds", and was his fourth single to reach the top ten in the UK, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. In the U.S., the single entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 50 on the chart dated February 9, 1985. It hit number one seven weeks later and remained on top for two weeks. In the UK, the single was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry. It was also his first No. 1 on the U.S. Adult contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want It All (Queen song)</span> 1989 rock single by Queen

"I Want It All" is a song by British rock band Queen, featured on their 1989 studio album, The Miracle. Written by guitarist and vocalist Brian May and produced by David Richards, it was released as the first single from the album on 2 May 1989. "I Want It All" reached number three on the singles charts of the United Kingdom, Finland, Ireland and New Zealand, as well as on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. Elsewhere, it peaked at number two in the Netherlands and charted within the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Norway and Switzerland. With its message about fighting for one's own goals it became an anti-apartheid protest song in South Africa.

"A Groovy Kind of Love" is a song written by Toni Wine and Carole Bayer Sager based on a melody by the classical composer Muzio Clementi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)</span> 1986 single by Cyndi Lauper

"True Colors" is a song written by American songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It was both the title track and the first single released from American singer Cyndi Lauper's second album (1986). Released in mid-1986, the song would become a hit for Lauper, spending two weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming her last single to occupy the top of the chart. It received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Easy Lover (Philip Bailey and Phil Collins song)</span> 1984 single by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins

"Easy Lover" is a song performed by Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire and Phil Collins of Genesis, and jointly written and composed by Bailey, Collins, and Nathan East. The song appeared on Bailey's solo album, Chinese Wall. Collins has performed the song in his live concerts, and it appears on both his 1990 album, Serious Hits... Live!, and his 1998 compilation album, ...Hits. It is Bailey's only US Top 40 hit as a solo artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's My Party</span> 1963 single by Lesley Gore

"It's My Party" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lesley Gore from her debut studio album I'll Cry If I Want To (1963). It was released as the lead single from the album on April 5, 1963, by Mercury Records. The song was collectively written by Herb Wiener, John Gluck Jr., and Wally Gold, whilst production was helmed by Quincy Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two Hearts (Phil Collins song)</span> 1988 single by Phil Collins

"Two Hearts" is a song by Phil Collins from the soundtrack to the film Buster (1988). The song was written and produced by Collins and Lamont Dozier. It reached number one in the United States and Canada in January 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wish It Would Rain Down</span> 1990 single by Phil Collins

"I Wish It Would Rain Down" is a song by English musician Phil Collins from his fourth solo studio album, ...But Seriously (1989). The song was a chart success in early 1990, peaking at No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart; in the latter country, it was the most successful song of 1990. Collins felt that it was as close as he had ever got, at the time, to writing a blues song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woman in Chains</span> 1989 single by Tears for Fears featuring Oleta Adams

"Woman in Chains" is a song by English band Tears for Fears, released as the second single from their third studio album, The Seeds of Love (1989). It has been described as a "feminist anthem". It was an international success, reaching the top 40 in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, and the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something Happened on the Way to Heaven</span> 1990 single by Phil Collins

"Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" is a song by English drummer Phil Collins, released in April 1990 from his fourth studio album, ...But Seriously (1989). The song peaked at No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 the week of October 6, 1990 and No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart. A live version also appears on the Serious Hits... Live! album. The song is often identified by the recurring hook of "How many times can I say 'I'm sorry'?", however, the title of the song is essentially the 2nd line of the 2nd verse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You Remember? (Phil Collins song)</span> 1990 single by Phil Collins

"Do You Remember?" is a song performed by Phil Collins released in 1990 as one of the singles from his album ...But Seriously. It was produced by Collins and Hugh Padgham and features singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop on the track as a backing vocalist. The song had minor success in European countries but went to number one on both the Canadian and US Adult Contemporary charts. It also peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming his 14th and last top-ten hit.

"I Can't Stop Loving You (Though I Try)" is a song written by singer-songwriter William Nicholls and first recorded by his short-lived project, White Horse – a collaboration between himself, Kenny Altman, and Jon Lind – and featured on the group's 1977 self-titled album.

<i>Electric Universe</i> (album) 1983 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Electric Universe is the thirteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in November 1983 on Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 8 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Electric Universe also reached No. 17 on the Swedish Pop Albums chart, No. 18 on the UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Albums chart, No. 20 on the Japanese Pop Albums chart and No. 22 on both the Dutch Pop Albums and Swiss Pop Albums charts.

References

  1. ↑ "New Singles". Music Week . 14 July 1990. p. 37.Misprinted as 9 July on source.
  2. ↑ Steve Morse (4 December 1989). "Phil Collins Shows His Serious Side". The Boston Globe . Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  3. ↑ Steve Morse (7 June 1990). "Phil Collins' 'Serious' Side Wins Respect". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  4. ↑ "Collins Fills Arco with Some Serious Fun". The Sacramento Bee . 22 September 1990. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  5. ↑ "Phil Collins interview". WEA . 1989. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  6. 1 2 "Collins' Pop Simply Fizzled at Shoreline". San Jose Mercury News . 19 September 1990. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  7. ↑ Don McLeese (30 November 1990). "Phil Collins Takes Stern, Safe Approach to "Seriously" Album". The Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  8. ↑ "Music, Comedy Interesting Mix for Phil Collins". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . 30 August 1990. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  9. ↑ Jon Pareles (2 June 1990). "Review/Pop; An Evening of Phil Collins, Seriously". The New York Times . Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  10. ↑ "D'Arby's a Borrower". San Jose Mercury News . 17 December 1989. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  11. ↑ Lennox Samuels (17 December 1989). "Slowhand's Still Firmly Ensconced in the Comfort Zone". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  12. ↑ "Reviews: Records: Pop". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . 16 December 1989. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  13. ↑ "Phil Collins – That's Just the Way It Is" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  14. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 7, no. 33. 18 August 1990. p. V. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  15. ↑ "Phil Collins – That's Just the Way It Is" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  16. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – That's Just The Way It Is". Irish Singles Chart.
  17. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 33, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  18. ↑ "Phil Collins – That's Just the Way It Is" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  19. ↑ "Phil Collins – That's Just the Way It Is". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  20. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  21. ↑
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  22. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1990". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.