As It Should Be
Song Meaning
The lyrics present a stark, almost clinical observation of a relationship's end. There's no explicit narrative of conflict, just a quiet, resigned acceptance of separation. The dominant tone is one of detached finality, a sense of things falling into place as they were always meant to. It feels less like a dramatic breakup and more like a natural, albeit somber, conclusion. The core tension seems to lie in the contrast between the implied past connection and the present state of being apart. The repeated phrase "as it should be" acts as a refrain, attempting to legitimize the separation, but it carries an undercurrent of melancholy. This suggests a struggle to reconcile the ideal of what was with the reality of what is, or perhaps a forced justification for an unwanted outcome. The most striking aspect of the writing is its deliberate sparseness. The lack of specific details about the relationship or the reasons for its dissolution forces the listener to focus on the emotional residue. The instrumental breaks, rather than offering catharsis, seem to underscore the emptiness, amplifying the quiet despair that permeates the track. This minimalist approach amplifies the feeling of inevitability. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their ability to evoke a profound sense of loss through absence. By withholding explicit narrative, the song invites the listener to project their own experiences of endings onto its bare structure. The quiet resignation and the repeated, almost ritualistic, assertion that this is how things ought to be create a hauntingly relatable portrait of moving on, or perhaps, being forced to.

Lyrics
[Instrumental]
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Credits
- Writers
- Bill Frisell