About the song
“That’s The Way Love Goes.” Released in 1983, this song was a major hit, soaring to number one on the country charts and becoming one of the most beloved anthems of his later career. What makes the song’s story even more fascinating is its origin: it was written by the legendary Lefty Frizzell and Sanger D. Shafer, and Merle’s version, recorded a decade after Frizzell’s own, is widely considered the definitive one. Haggard took a timeless classic and, with his signature blend of honesty and melancholy, made it feel like his own personal story. It’s a masterpiece that, with its gentle melody and devastatingly simple message, remains one of the most beloved and enduring ballads in all of country music.
The lyrics of “That’s The Way Love Goes,” penned by Lefty Frizzell and Sanger D. Shafer, are a brilliant and direct chronicle of a person grappling with the painful lessons of love. The song’s strength lies in its profound emotional honesty and its beautiful simplicity. The narrator, who has been through heartbreak before, knows all too well the folly of falling in love again, yet finds himself helpless to resist. He sings of the familiar journey from a state of loneliness to the overwhelming joy of a new romance, only to face the inevitable pain of its end. It’s a song about the kind of exclusive, all-consuming pain that makes the heart ache, and the bittersweet truth that even with the knowledge of past sorrows, you can’t help but dive in once more. The repetition of the central phrase serves as a powerful, almost tragic, mantra of hopeful longing. Phrases like “That’s The Way Love Goes” and “I have waited a lifetime for your sweet love / And now my lonely waiting’s through” perfectly capture this blend of profound intimacy, bittersweet reflection, and the heart-wrenching knowledge that a happy ending is out of reach. The song speaks to the universal human experience of loving someone from afar, of holding onto a promise that can never be fulfilled, and the deep emotional ache that comes from a love that is pure but unreciprocated. It resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt the sting of a silent, unrequited affection.
Merle Haggard’s vocal performance on “That’s The Way Love Goes” is nothing short of masterful and perfectly embodies the song’s melancholic and authentic spirit. His voice, with its remarkable smoothness, a touch of weary reflection, and its effortless control, delivers the lyrics with a palpable sense of genuine emotion and raw, lived-in conviction. He doesn’t just sing the words; he inhabits the sorrow, making the listener feel every nuance of his longing, his devotion, and the profound resignation that comes with a love that can never be. The way he draws out certain words and adds a slight, delicate quaver to his voice is a perfect piece of vocal storytelling, turning a simple melody into a sermon on heartache. Haggard’s brilliance lies in his unparalleled ability to infuse such a deeply personal and emotionally charged narrative with raw, authentic feeling, connecting with audiences on a visceral, empathetic level through the sheer honesty and breathtaking control of his voice. It is a masterclass in conveying tender heartbreak and profound loss with a simple, understated grace.
The musical arrangement of “That’s The Way Love Goes” is a pristine example of the classic Bakersfield sound that Merle Haggard and his band, The Strangers, perfected, meticulously crafted to serve the powerful lyrical narrative and his exquisite vocal. It typically features a rich, gentle acoustic guitar that establishes a hypnotic, fingerpicked rhythm, often complemented by a subtle, weeping steel guitar that adds a layer of sorrowful beauty. The instrumentation is elegant and restrained, never overpowering the voice but instead providing a rich, supportive bed for his emotional delivery. The iconic fiddle melody is a stroke of genius, adding a layer of mournful beauty that perfectly mirrors the lyrical content. The production is clean, warm, and remarkably clear, ensuring that every instrumental nuance and, crucially, Merle Haggard’s incredible vocal are heard with astonishing clarity, enhancing the song’s profound emotional impact and its undeniable beauty. It’s an arrangement that feels both intimately personal and universally relatable, perfectly suited for a heartfelt lament of a love that has faded.
“That’s The Way Love Goes” resonated profoundly with audiences because its universal themes of love lost, emotional desolation, and the pain of a broken heart are deeply understood and intensely felt. It remains a cherished track in Merle Haggard’s remarkable discography, a true signature song that further cemented his legacy as a master songwriter and a country legend. It is a timeless classic, a powerful and exhilarating reminder that sometimes, the hardest truth to bear is to be That’s The Way Love Goes – Merle Haggard.
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Lyrics
I’ve been throwing horseshoes
Over my left shoulder
I’ve spent most all my life
Searching for that four-leaf clover
Yet you ran with me
Chasing my rainbows
Honey, I love you too
That’s the way love goes
That’s the way love goes, babe
That’s the music God made
For all the world to sing
It’s never old, it grows
Losing makes me sorry
You say, “Honey, now don’t worry
Don’t you know I love you too?”
And that’s the way love goes
That’s the way love goes, babe
That’s the music God made
For all the world to sing
It’s never old, it grows
Losing makes me sorry
And you say, “Honey, don’t worry
Don’t you know I love you too?”
And that’s the way love goes
