The Way It Is is about the narrator breaking up with his lover. Breakups are hard – even for the dumper. The song shifts between slow and chaotic sections where the narrator describes the feelings of sorrow and bluntness, respectively.
[Verse 1]
She was still sleeping, the problem will stay
One more day
Said she's not sorry the wind blows her way
Accidents happen, there's one planned today
Oh you see
[Chorus]
I wish it was not true, but that's the way it is
It's not your fault, that's the way it is
I'm sick of you, and that's the way it is
And will always be
[Verse 2]
Wednesday is over, it's over again
Said my goodbyes to the life we won't spend
Together
[Chorus]
I wish it was not true, but that's the way it is
It's not your fault, that's the way it is
I'm sick of you, and that's the way it is
[Outro]
But that's not your problem
That's not a problem
That's not my problem
That's not your problem
The Way It Is was written by Julian Casablancas.
The Way It Is was produced by Gordon Raphael.
The Strokes released The Way It Is on Tue Oct 28 2003.