Song – That’s The Way It’s Gonna Be

Song Notes

This song with optimistic lyrics over minor chords and an urgent bass line has been interpreted a dozen different ways. Lee Mallory’s 1966 pop single on Valiant Records, reached #1 in Amsterdam and #2 in Seattle and #86 on pop charts. It was recently re-released on the Rhino Records compilation, “Hallucinations” in all of it’s rhythmic glory.

Jose Feliciano’s version conveys the urgency of the song with a highly emotional vocal.
Pat Wictor’s slower, bluesier vibe allows for savoring the lyrics and is very satisfying.

One-stop license for Bob Gibson Funky In The Country available through Wixen Music.

LYRIC

That's The Way It's Gonna Be

If you say that all the good times are gone
If you say this rain will keep rainin’ on
I’ll walk along with my head held high
I’ll find a song and I’ll sing it to the sky
I may be wrong but I’ll live ’til I die
That’s the way it’s gonna be, wait and see

Even though you say the devil knocks at my door
If you say my ship will not reach the shore
I’ve got a will and a thousand ways
I’ve got a dream of a thousand better days
I’ve got a smile that just stays and stays
That’s the way it’s gonna be, wait and see

Even though you say the tides are all running low
If you say there’s no place else we can go
Detour is waiting for me round the bend
I won’t stay down for the count of ten
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again
That’s the way it’s gonna be, wait and see

Even though you say that all the good times are gone
Though you say this rain will keep rainin’ on
I’ll walk along with my head held high
I’ll find a song and I’ll sing it to the sky
I may be wrong but I’ll live ’til I die
That’s the way it’s gonna be, wait and see

Just you wait and see

Words & music by Bob Gibson and Phil Ochs
© Robert Josiah Music and Almo Music

That's The Way It's Gonna Be

by Chad Mitchell Trio | That's The Way It's Gonna Be

That's The Way It's Gonna Be

by Curt Beottcher | The Collected Curt Boettcher

That's The Way It's Gonna Be

by Bob Gibson | Funky In The Country

That's The Way It's Gonna Be

by Lee Mallory | That's The Way It's Gonna Be

That's The Way It's Gonna Be

by Back Porch Majority | That's The Way It's Gonna Be

Click on lead sheet image for printable PDF.