The Way It Has to Be
Wendy Matthews · 1991
43 min · 9 tracks · pop music
An emotional blend of pop melodies and soulful vocals that resonate with themes of love and heartache.
Top tracks — play these first
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If You're Ready (Come Go With Me) — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its inviting melody and upbeat rhythm, encapsulating Matthews' signature style while encouraging listeners to engage with her emotive storytelling.
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Bitter Fruit — With its haunting lyrics and rich vocal delivery, this track explores themes of grief and loss, showcasing Matthews’ ability to convey deep emotion through her music.
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Sweet Fire of Love — A standout ballad that highlights Matthews’ vocal prowess and lyrical depth, capturing the complexities of romantic love with both passion and vulnerability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and emotional vocals but follows familiar pop structures.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that build emotional intensity, particularly in the choruses.
- The album closes with a ballad that gradually fades out, leaving a lingering sense of resolution.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- heartfelt ballads for reflection
- emotional resonance with love themes
- soothing sounds for quiet moments
- intimate listening during solitude
Maybe skip if you
- fast-paced party atmosphere seekers
- listeners who prefer upbeat tempos
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Wendy Matthews released The Way It Has to Be as her second studio album in 1991, following her successful debut, Émigré. At this point, Matthews had already established herself in the Australian music scene, blending pop and soul influences to create a distinct sound that resonated with audiences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sarah McLachlan· Tori Amos· Sheryl Crow
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 If You're Ready (Come Go With Me) 4:50
- 2 As We Speak 4:35
- 3 Token Angels 4:22
- 4 I Didn't Take Your Man 6:03
- 5 Until You Say 4:36
- 6 Bitter Fruit 5:23
- 7 Doomsday Lullaby 4:41
- 8 Take Your Time 3:06
- 9 Sweet Fire of Love 6:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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