What makes The Way It Was, The Way It Is by Lou Rawls notable?

The album features the classic hit 'When a Man Loves a Woman,' which became a staple in soul music and contributed to Rawls' rise in popularity. Its blend of blues and soulful ballads resonated with audiences and helped establish Rawls as one of the key voices of the genre during the late 1960s. Released in 1969, this album marked Lou Rawls' transition from a background vocalist to a prominent solo artist. It followed his successful 1966 album 'Lou Rawls Live!' and solidified his presence in the soul music scene during a time when he was gaining significant recognition.

Who is The Way It Was, The Way It Is for?

The Way It Was, The Way It Is works well if you're into steady mid-tempo emotional flow, heartfelt vocals for intimate moments and nostalgic reflections on love.

How many songs are on The Way It Was, The Way It Is?

The Way It Was, The Way It Is has 10 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

The Way It Was, The Way It Is

Lou Rawls · 1969

34 min · 10 tracks · blues · soul

A smooth blend of soul and blues with heartfelt vocals and lush instrumentation that evokes deep emotional resonance.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo emotional flow
heartfelt vocals for intimate moments
nostalgic reflections on love
for cozy evenings

Maybe skip if you want

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer standalone singles over albums

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1969, this album marked Lou Rawls' transition from a background vocalist to a prominent solo artist. It followed his successful 1966 album 'Lou Rawls Live!' and solidified his presence in the soul music scene during a time when he was gaining significant recognition.
Stylistic neighbors: Bill Withers· Teddy Pendergrass· Isaac Hayes