Bruce Hornsby - The Way It Is | The story behind the song | Top 2000 a gogo

Bruce Hornsby tells the story behind the song 'The Way It Is'. A short documentary by Top 2000 a gogo (Dutch Public TV) from 2014.

[@darkhalo0868]

When this song came out in '86 I was a senior in High School.. I'm black, I come from a mostly all black high school. I'm a teen of the 80's and in the 70's I grew up on R&B. It's in my DNA. But Fortunately for me I'm a lover of GOOD MUSIC AND GOOD MUSICIANSHIP. I've never just listen to one genre of music. Even as a kid I was listening to Steely Dan, Led Zepplin, The Police, U2 just to name a few. Some of my friends thought I was strange because I listen to Pop and rock, but I was better for it. So when Hip Hop got going I would tell my friends that these samples come from a lot of Pop and Rock songs. I took pride in that. So now I'm not so strange but astute when it comes to music according to my friends. I'm such a Bruce Hornsby fan. He's an AMAZING MUSICIAN. In this country today we need more like him.

[@raymodramsawak7463]

You must be around 54 years now,

[@darkhalo0868]

@@raymodramsawak7463 Yes sir if I'm lucky enough to see April this year.

[@raymodramsawak7463]

Well,,,,dts just da way it it friend

[@craigusselman546]

I was just starting school 6 years old I loved then and it always takes be back to my childood very nostalgic.

[@MarcAnthem]

I can relate to this so, so much. Its good to know others have had the same experience as myself.

[@ProphetsOfRockTV]

Thank you 2Pac for sampling such an incredible song, that was first introduction to this. The man transcended Hip Hop.

[@fakeytube6698]

"Sampling", ripping off hooks.

[@lebronjames5711]

imagine bruce and 2pac on stage singing this song live today damn that would be amazing man RIP Pac

[@donnajernigan5821]

🙌🏼

[@makavelidadon77777]

🔥🔥

[@Augfordpdoggie]

who cares about 2pac geez. he could never write something like this. why not adore Bruce the writer of the song, as opposed to a fake gangster?

[@douglaswilson2355]

I met Bruce in Williamsburg, VA around 1990. I was working in a store and had the pleasure of waiting on him and has family. One of the nicest guys in the world.

[@WeRHisPoem]

Neat. Really like this song! Trying to learn it on my electric keyboard before I die from cancer. :/

[@DarcieGlam]

This is the best series - I am totally loving it.

[@Capt.Gagan.Boparai]

Bruce is one of the most underrated singers of 80’s..man his talent is unreal..!!

[@dizmop]

To me, he's not a particularly exceptional singer but as a songwriter and mucisian..... he's second to none, this is a beautiful, timeless classic

[@jerrachavez8421]

He has at least a 2 active reach!! Long fingers! Great great pianist! Love you Bruce!

[@diogomori9624]

This guy is an insanely skilled pianist. Amazing.

[@leo29hornsfan]

He’s without a doubt the best to ever play that instrument and even Elton John said it himself. Love billy Joel but Bruce was the best to ever do it and people also don’t know is that he could have played in the nba because he was that good. Yes he was extremely good at basketball and would have been an all star

[@WeRHisPoem]

Yeah, amazing!!!!Wish I could play like him!!!!! Working on it....;)

[@vocalpro]

This guy is a beautiful writer. Songs like mandolin rain are just gorgeous. This song defined my youth and I'm grateful for it. Also one of the biggest influences in becoming a piano player. Eternally grateful to Bruce for his contribution to my life musically. Love to meet him one day.

[@melissadavis225]

Awesome story

[@Ron71997]

The lyrics hit so much harder as you get older, as a younger person when I originally heard this song....I had no idea what it was all about. Brilliantly written with such a profound message. Brings a tear to my eye now!

[@oakwoodfarm2478]

This song is a timeless masterpiece... With an unmistakable hook that grabs anyone with a heart....

[@sidpheasant7585]

The art-inspiring Holy Spirit will do that...

[@thepowerstation2702]

Bruce Hornsby in my humble opinion is one of the best song writers. ✌️ 💖 🙏 Levent 🦁

[@moow950]

Best piano riff ever!!

[@richardoki8320]

Said hey, little boy, you can't go where the others go 'Cause you don't look like they do’ I’ve felt like that boy my whole life. When this song was released it was a moment in time that will live forever.

[@uncletony6210]

why have you felt that way?

[@lobitome]

Still one of my favorite 80's songs.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

I hadn't even listened properly to this classic, I honestly don't know how I missed it, Im so glad I found this

[@fivestring65ify]

This guy is a musical genius.

[@garryfimister6878]

Love this song and everything Bruce Hornsby has recorded.

[@aaronlove5516]

Saw Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers last night & was lucky to hear him play this song. It's even more poignant and important right now than it was 20 years ago.

[@samuelmarlow1969]

Bruce is such an accomplished musician- underrated in the UK!

[@GuilhermeSilva-rp2it]

It will be always important, I guess things did not get better so since then...

[@mikeharris6131]

@@samuelmarlow1969 Written in the mid 80’s. Yes, it’s relevance over the decades sadly still exits

[@rjjcms1]

I remember hearing it on the radio one day in late July 1986 when it was just becoming a hit in the UK. It was one of those stop what you're doing and take a listen to this songs. I always thought that as well as being about racism,segregation in the US especially the south and how far we'd come - or not - in terms of both legislative and social progress in the two decades since the Civil Rights protests and reforms of the 60s,that as we sought to pick up the pieces of the economic turmoil of the early-and-mid 80s recession amid the Thatcher and Reagan years it was also about the way those shuffling unemployed,the downtrodden and those who've fallen on hard times get treated as easy targets by some in our society who see fit to stigmatise,blame and vent their prejudices on them; like the guy depicted in the first verse there were some people for who behaving as he did was a kind of sport,as often as not accompanied by a side serving of colour prejudice.

[@claytonlapatak3845]

@@rjjcms1. Well said , " just don't believe them"....

[@derekstocker6661]

Well done Bruce, great song and what super piano playing, I was impressed with the Tupac version as well and thought it went very well and was a great salute to you.RIP Tupac.

[@GuilhermeSilva-rp2it]

Bruce: In 1986, this song was a huge hit here in Rio de Janeiro (in the whole country, I guess), it was played everytime on the radio. Your records were not available here, so, when I cousin of mine went to the US in 1990, I asked him to buy me The way it is and A night on the town, that I own and listen to this day. A few years ago, I bought also Spirit Trail. I love those 3 records, and The way it is is certainly an iconic song (Gee, that Jeer Garcia solo o Find the river is fucking awesome).Greetings from Rio

[@coolcat6303]

Guilherme Silva That’s great that you were able to get a hold of few of his records. Make sure to get Bruce’s 2nd album - “Scenes from the Southside” as well. It’s every bit the equal of “The way it Is”.

[@andycollinsofficial]

Great song, such depth.

[@julietteoscaralphanovember2223]

I've always loved this song. I think Bruce Hornsby is a fantastic piano player. He doesn't get as much credit as he deserves. He's so very talented. I didn't know he was in Williamsburg, I first heard the song while in Williamsburg visiting friends!

[@Beun007]

Also on my playlist! Iconic! Makes me always happy, even on a shitty days! That piano music! This is really above anything!

[@ValdemarGonzalez]

I just stumbled across these stories .... about how songs came about .... how they were created .... in the voice of the artist themselves..... thank you for creating and posting these very informative, historical interviews. They are truly priceless.

[@stefflmrk]

THE most memorable song to me, it brings back soooooo many memories. THIS song is a legend! Thanks Bruce Hornsby 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤗 Heard first on a flight from Frankfurt-Los Angeles in 1988, i was hooked at age 16. THANK YOU.

[@MeiZu0606]

i love the song that just the way it is!! 👏👏👏

[@gofdajungle]

Hi, I'm horny and that was corny

[@xaraxen]

Some tunes should never change

[@FacheChanteDeux]

When you write a good song it resonates.

[@neilburns8869]

Just a great song as simple as that. The Way It Is has and always will be a classic for many more years to come. Thank you to Bruce Hornsby for creating such an easy listening and beautiful musical experience.

[@sidpheasant7585]

It's not simple, except to the Holy Spirit, who knows how to inspire, reach, cleanse, heal, enlighten - we don't already realise it, but that's not so bad, as the wondrous good has been done anyway.

[@diorme7510]

I was at a festival years ago and saw a huge group forming around a stage. We made our way over and not knowing who they were saw Bruce Hornsby and the Range come out on stage and they played and just blew everyone away. He smiled at me too and I never will forget that. Thanks Bruce ♥

[@diorme7510]

@Hawk Holloway Bruce Hornsby & the Range · 09/05/1986 · Calder Plaza, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. This is listed in concert catalogue...so not sure!

[@creatinotionchannel2680]

Great song and fantastic back story. Thanks for sharing this.

[@jevinday]

so beautiful. it always makes me really happy when i see a white person from the south who hates racism. i love how he embraced the hip hop community's love for the song. some artists get mad and start to sue when people sample their music. Hornsby is incredible. his fingers glide along that piano like a kid on a slip-n-slide

[@ellieblair3087]

A song as relevant today as when it was written. The utmost respect to Bruce Hornsby for giving us this story in the truth of words and music. We are one on this earth.

[@TruckaBrotha12]

Thank you so much for this perfect song Bruce! I've always painted a picture with your vivid words on this record #Classic

[@12jsteve]

How time flies - loved this album and had it on cassette in my car. Great memories!

[@Ystadcop]

What tremendous videos you produce. Thanks.

[@AngelicusImmortus]

Truly Iconic song. Amazingly I was about 9/10yrs old when i bought it, upon its release. still listen to that old vinyl.

[@enriquetheprofessor]

I love this guy! Great lyricist and singer. His voice is very underrated--it has layers of pop, country, and soul.

[@MountbattenMusicVideos]

Bruce Hornsby keeps going strong.

[@jeffweber8244]

I remember buying this CD in 86. With all the English influenced pop music out then, which I still love, this CD sounded like a 70s throwback.

[@phoenixmoon3]

love this series a lot. SO much fun.

[@Top2000agogo]

Thank you!

[@StevenMcFlyJunior]

How odd is it how this song still is fitting today, now, more then ever ...

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

no it isnt, racism is 99% eradicated, thankfully this song is less relevant than ever

[@RampartPh]

this was a hit in the Philippines too. along w/ mandolin rain and every little kiss. to this day it's in my rotation whenever i'm on the road.

[@lhart99]

Fuck Yeah! This is one of my all-time favorite songs. And the album is one of the greatest pop albums, too.

[@raycope2086]

Thank you Bruce. A track that I always loved and will continue to do do mate. I wish you rainbows.

[@DBMe33]

Decent dude. I didnt know he was from Va. I always got Canadian vibes from Bruce. 🤔 Even without the lyrics & context, the music always got to me. Its one of those songs where the music somehow replicates the same message as the lyrics. Music is magical. 🎶👏🏼✌🏽

[@uncletony6210]

"Canadian vibes"...a little more humility, a little less edgy, a little more open minded?

[@bobjohnson205]

@@uncletony6210 A little less racist, maybe! lol

[@uncletony6210]

@@bobjohnson205 Yes, strike "more open-minded" and replace with "less racist."

[@RemyRAD]

I've always loved Bruce Hornsby. From the moment I heard him. And considering. I was living in northern Virginia. He was right down the road a few miles. And he's the real deal.. He was all about following his heart. Filled with fairness and the American dream for all. A true artist goes into the studio. To give birth. To a part of themselves. And just like giving birth to a little person. These songs. Have a tendency to grow. And take on a life of their very own. Which many artists like Bruce Hornsby are surprised by and delighted by. Knowing the people. Had heard and felt their message. And the unity of Americans they are trying to bring forth. With the power of music and real actual, Human Beings. Coming together. I mean who wants to fight somebody else because they look different or believe in something different? Aren't we into the New Millennia? Aren't we now living in the Future? Aren't we supposed to be better than this? Who's doing this? Why are they doing this? And who's going to stop them from doing this? From destroying everything for everyone based on a irrational construct. But they don't think it's irrational. Therefore they want to force it upon everybody.. Here and abroad. Everybody's gone nuts and incredibly frustrated. So everybody needs to Lash Out and point the finger of blame across the street. It's their fault! Let's attack them! And after everything is rubble. Without Barney. They can smoke a couple of cigars. And try and figure out what to do later. Maybe tomorrow? Better still, next week. We can put it off for a couple more months. We'll get to it next year. I have to sell my property and retire. Yeah but what about us? Hello? Hello? Operator? Operator? What's an operator? RemyRAD

[@klaseronen7535]

I love this song. Best greetings to Bruce from Finland.

[@MariaChungWilloughby]

:) I was raised in Hampton, VA...didn't know the song was about that. Hung out in Jamestown...really good childhood there. :) Yorktown beach was covered with horseshoe crabs when I was little. Love these series. :)

[@littlejoe9381]

This is one of the many songs that have been constantly playing in my head since it came out. I really appreciate this channel because I have always wanted to know from the artist/ writer the meaning of their songs and/ or the story behind it. Thanks again.

[@hennyverheij5969]

Love it! Being against racism is not strange or some thing, it;s the best a man can be.....

[@gabe_s_videos]

It should just be a common trait.

[@blobcity3591]

@@gabe_s_videos every single living human being is racist, don't be naive.

[@gabe_s_videos]

blobcity You know who usually thinks that way? Racists.

[@callithowiseeit5806]

'the best a man can be'? you've been watching those woke Gillette commercials again haven't you?

[@callithowiseeit5806]

@@gabe_s_videos yyyyyep but 'whoosh' there it goes over another naive head

[@luukbeers777]

Hope that this man comes to the Netherlands for a concert. A great song & phenomenal musician!

[@WeRHisPoem]

Great song ; fantastic talent!

[@alamaamosa3801]

Liberty thats what this song means to me equality the duality in the chord structure is metaphorically exposed.timeless

[@Augfordpdoggie]

i grew up in Newport News Virginia, about 20 miles from Williamsburg, in the 1980's and i absolutely hated it...the racism there is staggering. This is one of history's most beautiful songs

[@stevenfenley9359]

A great moment when music meant something...

[@jamescarter3196]

Still does if you're paying attention, but it's clear you're out of touch with modern music, so don't bother addressing it because you don't know the subject. You're busy pretending it's all pop crap, because you aren't bothering to know anything else. That's a very sad way to live.

[@SmartRobot-wc2fb]

@@jamescarter3196 Hey...smart ass...just name a dozen meaningful mainstream songs of last year?!

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

@@SmartRobot-wc2fb he believes that republicans are all still "racist" because the TV told him "orange man bad" he thinks hes really clever

[@harveymccluskey3270]

Love, love, love this song!!!!!!!!

[@biancanjax2010]

Love this song, but I love Mandolin Rain even more.

[@chrisalberts6071]

one the best piano chorus and solo of all time bar none

[@Jebbie1976]

Love Bruce Hornsby. Mandolin Rain is my favorite. He's such a poet. ♥

[@blackamericanlesbianprofes4357]

I love this song so much since my childhood when it was released! I would hear it on the radio all the time. Great to know the song was written in year 1984 when I was born. Thank you for posting this interview of Bruce Hornsby. :)

[@markjob7736]

1986

[@ytnsanw]

@@markjob7736 Written in 1984, released in 1986...

[@markjob7736]

@@ytnsanw Thank you

[@codzydee1870]

glad 2 pac sampled this song when i first heard it i loved it somebody bringing racism to the fore but in a song classic thank u bruce hornsby rip xox

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Saw him and the range live in 1988, fantastic gig.

[@TrishaD.Knight]

True good ledgend I love 😍 this song

[@williamwilson6499]

Got to see this live...he opened for Huey Lewis and the News in Manchester, England. Plays a mean accordion also.

[@coolcat6303]

William Wilson That’s awesome. Huey actually helped Bruce land a record contract & he even produced his first album. He also sang on “Down the Road Tonight” & played harmonica on “Defenders of the Flag”.

[@MrGL1973]

You forgot to mention that both Bruce and Huey performed a song titled "Jacob's Ladder".

[@coolcat6303]

@@MrGL1973 I actually didn't forget about that one. Bruce wrote "Jacob's Ladder" but I don't think he or Huey ever performed it together on each others albums. They just did their own seperate versions of it. Great song too.

[@stephenbrasher]

It was a big hit in the UK, but got probably it's largest response as the background music to the Saturday football results. :)

[@ericscottstevens]

Virginia is lucky to get Bruce Hornsby. Yet they also have Dave Matthews (even though Dave was born in SA), his family being ancestral to Charlottesville.

[@mikef-gi2dg]

Really filled out my understanding of the song. Kick A Piano!

[@smalltownusa3124]

People are just people. We all bleed red. Many people of all colors gave it all to correct the wrongs of the past. THAT is what should celebrated and continued. Who doesn't know and love this song?

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

how enlighted, were you forced to watch "roots" as a kid too?

[@smalltownusa3124]

@@hallucinatedovens8414 I've never seen 'Roots'.

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

@@smalltownusa3124 what still needs to be done to correct the wrongs or the past?

[@smalltownusa3124]

@@hallucinatedovens8414 Stop concentrating on them. Those people are dead. Treat all people with dignity. No one should be treated differently (good or bad) because of skin color. No one should expect to be treated differently because of skin color. All people should be the best they can be and be judged by their actions. If you're a sweetheart, it isn't because of color. If you're a jerk, it isn't because of skin color. No one owes anyone anything other than common decency. We all owe that to everyone. What does a smile, kindness or politeness cost? Nothing. This isn't hard.

[@mauricedorreboom5388]

I heard somewhere that Bruce recorded a demo and on that tape was this song. So they invited him to talk about a recording contract and they said, well we want to talk about this song "The Way It Is" Bruce started appologising, yeah ... we had to fill out the tape, so sorry about that one. They answered, well ... get used to it quickly, because we think it should be your first single.

[@bartbroadnax5154]

But it wasn't his first single. "Every Little Kiss" was released first (reaching #37 on the top 40 charts), then "The Way It Is" (#1), then "Mandolin Rain" (#4), then they re-released "Every Little Kiss," which then went to #11. I am honored to call him a good acquaintance.

[@jamesgretsch4894]

This is a nice song.

[@macsnafu]

Never mind the lyrics, Bruce created such a smooth, shimmering sound with that combination of synth and piano. That's what sold the song.

[@jamescarter3196]

No, the lyrics are great too and it's too bad you feel the need to downplay that for some reason.

[@macsnafu]

@@jamescarter3196 You're assuming that I think the lyrics are bad, when in fact the problem is that the lyrics are political. The sentiment about ending poverty and racism is fine, but certain lines imply political solutions that I disagree with because I don't believe they effectively work. Most especially the line: 'They passed a law in '64 to give those who ain't got a little more'. That's always grated on me. Do you want me to go in full political/economic argument mode to explain what's wrong with that line? And if I really want to get technical, the emphasis of the lyrics are that it really IS just *the way it is*, and the line "Ah, but don't you believe them" sounds too much like a tacked on afterthought with little musical weight attached to it. So it's not just a matter of the lyrics, but how they're supported or emphasized by the music. Even good lyrics can be mangled musically. It's not that I don't like the song, I really do, so please don't misunderstand me. But if you want reasons, there you go.

[@728huey]

I Remer first hearing this, and while I thought the lyrics were incredibly deep and meaningful in a pop song, what made me love the song so much was the piano arrangements in it. I would have listened to this over and over again even if it were just an instrumental track.

[@kb9072]

Love this song when it came out. I was young and just liked the melody. Then 2Pac used it and I loved his song. Many years later I discovered what the lyrics meant so sat down and really listened to it. This is a GREAT SONG. Came out well before it was fashionable to be non racist.

[@michaelwong2885]

God bless Hornsby!

[@Underhills]

The 80's were the best. That's just the way it is.

[@uncletony6210]

70s were much better.

[@Underhills]

@@uncletony6210 Nah, the 70's were just warming up to the 80's.

[@uncletony6210]

@@Underhills 70s were much more chill and less pretentious. you could be yourself.

[@Underhills]

@@uncletony6210 I beg to differ. The 60's however was chill. I'll give anyone that. But the 80's was the best. In my book anyway.

[@PinkPants]

Watching this video gave me more details about Bruce and the song

[@Ric-Phillips]

I always liked the song. Nice to see the intent matches the fleeing.

[@deepsouthNZ]

beautiful song

[@the0point]

this song was played to death in my house as a kid. great tune.

[@DJMichaelAngelo]

the Brothers In Rhythm remix of this song in the late 90's was AMAZING - well worth checking out, if you can find it!

[@TheBrainvision]

Bruce, aren't you gonna talk about the drum machine in the room?

[@smiksmagger3446]

What a boss!!

[@mrkneel5760]

Great great tune! The next “Blowing in the wind “

[@PSchmidtc]

Wow Colonial Williamsburg! Been there and love it

[@jerryaragon2187]

Una super canción.

[@Rawvitality94]

RIP Tupac

[@alejandrocorona1766]

what a genius

[@Steve-Richter]

Great song. I kind of agree with the “just get a job” line.

[@liammadden615]

Wow...I was not aware of that...

[@martymathews8163]

Accidental Genius - Brilliant!

[@sidpheasant7585]

No accident. The Holy Spirit was at work. Taking an existing talent, but raising it just that little bit higher and further...

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

It’s probably easier for an artist such as Bruce Hornsby to reflect on what is gripping an entire nation from the vantage point of an area that is not directly impacted by it. That’s possibly one of the reasons he hit pay dirt with this song the way that he did. Thinking about what he says regarding both the subject matter and how he took two solos, it was a good thing he mentioned Bruce Springsteen. Bruce had made a great success doing the same thing with his lyrics. Also, the packaging of the song itself gave him the perfect opportunity to solo that way.

[@xylezentry7354]

That's so cool that he was keen to the hip hop community.

[@callithowiseeit5806]

No he wasn't, BizMarkie tried to sample this back in the day and he threatened legal action, but he knew better by the time Tupac came along, all that 'proud to see it used' BS is from the comfortable chair of hindsight nothing more, to the Hip Hop community back then he was the first real jerk towards us, his name was mud in Hip Hop circles

[@coolcat6303]

CallitHowISeeIt. That’s funny cuz Bruce gave a recent interview where he said this: “I really liked it. Lots of rappers have used “The Way It Is:” Wyclef, E-40, Snoop. I loved what Tupac did with it. I just said, “Go go go.” That doesn’t sound like a guy who’s difficult to deal with or whose name is mud to me. And If he didn’t want one hip hop guy to use his song, I’m sure he had a good reason for it.

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

@@callithowiseeit5806 he shouldve sued, rap is the laziest music ever, cant even come up with their own hooks

[@dalelawrence85]

I hope you all noticed the bass player in the official video - Joe Puerta. Bassist and singer for the band Ambrosia, another great talent.

[@walterbaker1384]

Loving these videos. Please interview Was (not was) about Walk The Dinosaur and the 911 connection.

[@jhonhall928]

He wrote for humanity.

[@callithowiseeit5806]

Clutch the air with me

[@josealfonsobotejara3045]

The way it is clásico otros temas como mandolin rain temazo cuando lo escuche la primera vez me encantó una joya, también de the Valley road, la edad de la inocencia que también la cantó Bruce Hornsby y compuso, pero popularizado por Don Henley y ganó grammy. Un genio Bruce Hornsby sólo o & the Range.

[@danielmesery2904]

Fav

[@seancaseo84]

That trad version at the start is class

[@rogerdodger5415]

Great song! I had no idea that it was about race. STILL a great song! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😎👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@djpetenice]

I never get tired of hearing Spider Fingers play

[@dickschievink9063]

Nostalgisch ,😎