The Way Things Go (song)

"The Way Things Go"
Single by Beabadoobee
Released	19 July 2023 (2023-07-19)
Genre	Indie rock alt-pop indie folk
Length	3:07
Label	Dirty Hit
Songwriter(s)	Beatrice Laus
Producer(s)	Jacob Budgen
Beabadoobee singles chronology
"Glue Song" (2023) "The Way Things Go" (2023) "A Night to Remember" (2023)

"The Way Things Go" (stylised in all lowercase) is a song by the Filipino-English singer Beabadoobee. The song was released through Dirty Hit on 19 July 2023, as a stand-alone single. The melodic indie rock and alt-pop song with elements of indie folk was written by Beabadoobee and produced by Jacob Budgen. ^{[1] [2]}

Background and release

Beabadoobee had first revealed the song months before its release, as she performed the song during her European tour multiple times. She announced "The Way Things Go" on 4 July 2023, but no release date was announced. ^[3] On 11 July, the song's official release date was announced, which was 18 July 2023. ^[4] Instead, it was released the following day, on 19 July. ^[2]

Composition and lyrics

The song has been described as an "airy, twinkling tune with a little sass". ^[5] Lyrically, the song is an indie rock and alt-pop song with indie folk elements about expressing the inadequacy of words during a breakup. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Critical reception

Consequence 's Jo Vito called the track a "sentimental acoustic tune that captures all the candid magic of beabadoobee’s signature sound," writing that the song is "a simple tune with beautiful resonance," and further wrote that the song "almost feels like a classic acoustic ballad". ^[9] Danielle Chelosky of Uproxx called the song's lyrics more serious and impactful than her preceding single, "Glue Song", stating Beabadoobee was "mature and clever" on the song. ^[6]

Music video

Directed by Jacob Erland, the video for "The Way Things Go" was released alongside the song. ^[10] The video stars Beabadoobee and the song's producer Jacob Budgen alongside a number of ballet dancers in what NME describes as an "ornately decorated room". ^[11]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "The Way Things Go"

Chart (2023)	Peak position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [12]	20
UK Singles (OCC) [13]	86
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [14]	26

References

1. "The Way Things Go – Single by Beabadoobee". Spotify. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
2. "beabadoobee shares an elegant visual for new single "the way things go"". WXPN | Vinyl At Heart. 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
3. Carter, Emily (4 July 2023). "Beabadoobee Announces New Single, The Way Things Go". Kerrang! . Retrieved 18 February 2024.
4. O'Connor, Siobhain (11 July 2023). "Beabadoobe Has Announced The Release Date For Her New Single, 'The Way Things Go'". Dork . Retrieved 18 February 2024.
5. "Listen to new Beabadoobee song, "The Way Things Go"". 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
6. Chelosky, Danielle (18 July 2023). "Beabadoobee Is Mature And Clever On Her New Breakup Song 'The Way Things Go'". Uproxx . Retrieved 18 February 2024.
7. Fenton, Steve (2023-07-22). "Beabadoobee – The Way Things Go | Single Reviews | Music | Phonotonal" . Retrieved 2024-10-31.
8. "Beabadoobee slays again with 'The Way Things Go'". www.subu.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
9. Vito, Jo (18 July 2023). "beabadoobee Finds Solace in the Passage of Time on New Song "the way things go": Stream". Consequence . Retrieved 18 February 2024.
10. Mier, Tomás (18 July 2023). "Beabadoobee Twirls Her Way Through Healing in 'The Way Things Go' Video". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 18 February 2024.
11. Duran, Anagricel (20 July 2023). "Watch Beabadoobee find peace as a ballerina in 'The Way Things Go'". NME . Retrieved 18 February 2024.
12. "NZ Hot Singles Charts". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
13. "Beabadoobee". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 18 February 2024.
14. "Beabadoobee - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 18 February 2024.