What does The Way It Was, The Way It Is sound like?

Soulful vocals entwine with bluesy instrumentals, creating a rich tapestry of love and longing. Rooted in blues and soul. Start with "I Love You, Yes I Do".

Is The Way It Was, The Way It Is a good place to start with Lou Rawls?

Yes, The Way It Was, The Way It Is is recommended as a starting point for new Lou Rawls listeners. Soulful vocals entwine with bluesy instrumentals, creating a rich tapestry of love and longing. Released in 1969, The Way It Was, The Way It Is marked Lou Rawls' transition into mainstream popularity following his breakout hit 'Love Is a Hurtin' Thing' in 1966. This album solidified his status as a leading figure in the soul genre and showcased his ability to cover diverse material with emotional depth.

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

Soulful vocals entwine with bluesy instrumentals, creating a rich tapestry of love and longing.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Love You, Yes I Do Start here — establishes the emotional core of the album
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When a Man Loves a Woman — This rendition of the classic ballad showcases Rawls' powerful vocal delivery, elevating the song’s themes of devotion and vulnerability with an emotional weight that resonates deeply.
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Your Good Thing (Is About to End) — Rawls' interpretation transforms this track into a poignant reflection on heartbreak, blending smooth vocals with an understated yet impactful arrangement that highlights the song's narrative.
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Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) — This track stands out with its catchy hook and melancholic undertones, illustrating Rawls’ ability to balance upbeat rhythms with deeper emotional content, making it memorable.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong vocal performances and arrangements, though it follows familiar soul templates.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of lush string arrangements that complement Rawls' deep, emotive vocals across nearly all tracks.
Several songs incorporate call-and-response elements between Rawls and backing vocalists, enhancing the soulful feel of the performances.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

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

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer standalone singles over albums

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Rawls' mainstream popularity after earlier hits.
Themes: soulful heartbreak· 1960s love ballads
Career context: Released in 1969, The Way It Was, The Way It Is marked Lou Rawls' transition into mainstream popularity following his breakout hit 'Love Is a Hurtin' Thing' in 1966. This album solidified his status as a leading figure in the soul genre and showcased his ability to cover diverse material with emotional depth.
Stylistic neighbors: Bill Withers· Teddy Pendergrass· Isaac Hayes