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Song: That's The Way
Album: Led Zeppelin III [released Oct 5, 1970 (US) | Oct 23, 1970 (UK)]
Single: N/A
Credited to: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Related Songs: N/A

Lyrics:

I don't know how I'm gonna tell you
I can't play with you no more
I don't know how I'm gonna do what mama told me
My friend, the boy next door

I can't believe what people sayin'
You gonna let your hair hang down
I'm satisfied to sit here working all day long
You're in the darker side of town

And when I'm out, I see you walkin'
Why don't your eyes see me
And could it be you've found another game to play
What did mama say to me

That's the way, oh, that's the way it oughta be, yeah, yeah
Mama said, that's the way it oughta stay, yeah, yeah

And yesterday I saw you standing by the river
And weren't those tears that filled your eyes
And all the fish that lay in dirty water dyin'
Had they gotcha hypnotized

And yesterday I saw you kissing tiny flowers
But all that lives is born to die
And so I say to you that nothing really matters
And all you do is stand and cry

I don't know what to say about it
When all your ears have turned away
but now's the time to look and look again at what you see
Is that the way it oughta stay

That's the way, that's the way it oughta be, whoa, don'tcha know, now
Mama said, mama said, That's the way it's gonna stay, yeah

Personal notes: This is one of the most beautiful acoustic songs I know, on par with Going To California. The lyrics are incredible. It's a sad song, with a number of interpretations, but the core theme seems to be that of losing a friend. It's something that happens to all of us. Thinking about how much fun you could be having together, but "when I'm out, I see you walkin, why don't your eyes see me." Sad indeed.

Interesting facts: An early working title for this song was The Boy Next Door.

Influences: None found.