Meaning of "That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" by Carly Simon

Carly Simon's "That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" explores the societal pressures and expectations surrounding marriage and starting a family. The song paints a picture of the narrator's parents' unhappy marriage, with her father sitting in the dark and her mother lost in her magazines. This sets the stage for the narrator's observation of the flaws and unhappiness that can exist within the institution of marriage. She questions the traditional notion that getting married and raising a family is the ultimate goal in life, as she sees her friends from college trapped in unhappy marriages, filled with regret and longing for what could have been. The lyrics suggest that the societal expectation of marriage and family can lead to a loss of individuality and personal fulfillment. The line "You say we'll soar like two birds through the clouds, but soon you'll cage me on your shelf" reflects the narrator's fear of losing her identity and becoming consumed by the expectations and obligations that come with marriage. Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of questioning societal norms and finding one's own path to happiness and fulfillment, rather than succumbing to societal pressures.