Emerging in 1971, amidst the burgeoning wave of feminist movements, Carly Simon’s debut single, “That’s The Way I Always Heard It Should Be,” resonated deeply with a generation of women yearning for a shift in societal expectations. This self-assured and playfully defiant song, composed by Simon and Jacob Brackman, challenged traditional notions of gender roles and relationships, making it an unexpected feminist anthem of the early 1970s.
Musically, “That’s The Way I Always Heard It Should Be” falls under the umbrella of folk-pop, a genre known for its introspective lyrics and catchy melodies. The song features a gentle acoustic guitar strumming pattern, punctuated by a light percussion section and Simon’s signature piano playing. This understated arrangement allows the song’s lyrical message to take center stage.
Lyrically, the song subverts expectations. The narrator, a confident and independent woman, expresses her desire for a committed relationship but on her own terms. Lines like “Well, OK / It’s time we moved in together / And raised a family of our own / You and me,” delivered in Simon’s clear and direct vocals, establish the foundation of the relationship. However, the playful defiance emerges in the subsequent line, “Well, that’s the way I always heard it should be / You want to marry me / We’ll marry.” Here, the power dynamic shifts, with the narrator placing the ball in the man’s court and subtly challenging the traditional expectation of the man proposing.
“That’s The Way I Always Heard It Should Be” wasn’t explicitly political, but its subtle subversion of gender roles spoke volumes to a generation of women questioning traditional societal expectations. The song became a surprise hit, reaching number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and solidifying Simon’s position as a rising star.
The song’s enduring legacy lies in its ability to capture the changing social landscape of the early 1970s. “That’s The Way I Always Heard It Should Be” transcends its pop single status, becoming a cultural touchstone and an anthem for women seeking equality and a voice in defining their own relationships.
Tam Le