Introduction:
In 1983, country music legend Merle Haggard released his thirty-eighth studio album, titled That’s the Way Love Goes. The album marked a shift in Haggard’s sound, offering a more laid-back and introspective feel compared to some of his earlier, more driving works. Backed by his longtime band, The Strangers, Haggard delivered a collection of songs that explored themes of love, loss, regret, and resilience – themes that had always been central to his music.
“That’s the Way Love Goes”, the album’s title track, stands out as a poignant ballad that perfectly encapsulates this shift in Haggard’s artistic direction. While the exact producer of the song is unavailable, it’s likely that Haggard himself played a significant role in the production process, collaborating with longtime engineer Fuzzy Owen. “That’s the Way Love Goes” didn’t achieve the chart success of some of Haggard’s other hits, but it resonated deeply with fans and critics alike for its raw honesty and emotional depth.
The song delves into the complexities of romantic relationships, acknowledging the inevitable heartache that often accompanies love. Haggard’s signature baritone voice delivers the lyrics with a world-weary wisdom, reflecting on past mistakes and the bittersweet lessons learned. The instrumentation is simple and understated, featuring a gentle acoustic guitar and a subtle backing band, allowing Haggard’s vocals and the emotional weight of the lyrics to take center stage.
“That’s the Way Love Goes” is not a song about grand declarations of love or fairytale endings. It’s a song about the messy reality of love, the fights and the reconciliations, the joys and the sorrows. It’s a song that acknowledges that love can be a source of both immense happiness and profound pain, but that it’s a journey worth taking nonetheless.
The song’s significance extends beyond its commercial success. It serves as a testament to Haggard’s enduring legacy as a songwriter who could capture the complexities of human emotions with unparalleled honesty and vulnerability. “That’s the Way Love Goes” stands as a timeless classic in the country music canon, a song that continues to resonate with listeners of all ages who have experienced the joys and pitfalls of love.
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Lyrics:
I’ve been throwing horseshoesOver my left shoulderI’ve spent most all my lifeSearching for that four-leaf clover
Yet you ran with meChasing my rainbowsHoney, I love you tooThat’s the way love goes
That’s the way love goes, babeThat’s the music God madeFor all the world to singIt’s never old, it growsLosing makes me sorryYou say, “Honey, now don’t worryDon’t you know I love you too?”And that’s the way love goes
That’s the way love goes, babeThat’s the music God madeFor all the world to singIt’s never old, it growsLosing makes me sorryAnd you say, “Honey, don’t worryDon’t you know I love you too?”And that’s the way love goes