Carly Simon's 1971 hit "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be"

Carly Simon's That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be was released in 1971 and is considered one of her signature songs. 

It was co-written by Simon and Jacob Brackman, and explores themes of societal expectations and the pressures of conforming to traditional relationships. The song was well-received, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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_{Carly Elisabeth Simon - Songwriter}

• That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be was released as Carly Simon's debut single in 1971.

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_{Carly Simon's debut single in 1971}

• The song was written by Carly Simon and Jacob Brackman.
• It explores the disillusionment and confusion surrounding societal expectations of marriage.

My father sits at night with no lights on

His cigarette glows in the dark.

The living room is still;

I walk by, no remark.

I tiptoe past the master bedroom where

My mother reads her magazines.

I hear her call sweet dreams,

But I forgot how to dream.

But you say it's time we moved in together

And raised a family of our own, you and me -

Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be:

You want to marry me, we'll marry.

My friends from college they're all married now;

They have their houses and their lawns.

They have their silent noons,

Tearful nights, angry dawns.

Their children hate them for the things they're not;

They hate themselves for what they are-

And yet they drink, they laugh,

Close the wound, hide the scar.

But you say it's time we moved in together

And raised a family of our own, you and me -

Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be:

You want to marry me, we'll marry.

You say we can keep our love alive

Babe - all I know is what I see -

The couples cling and claw

And drown in love's debris.

You say we'll soar like two birds through the clouds,

But soon you'll cage me on your shelf -

I'll never learn to be just me first

By myself.

Well O.K., it's time we moved in together

And raised a family of our own, you and me -

Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be,

You want to marry me, we'll marry,

We'll marry.