“The Way It Is” was on a solo demo recording, also including “Mandolin Rain” and “The Red Plains," made by Hornsby which led to him being signed by RCA in 1985.

[5] The opening verse recounts a story taking place at a line for welfare that illustrates a divide between the rich and poor; the second verse recounts ongoing social issues from the voice of someone supporting racial segregation.

The final verse recounts the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964 "to give those who ain't got a little more", and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a victory in the civil rights movement against job discrimination, but insists that more is needed.

Hornsby's brother John said, "The song is mainly about compassion, about understanding racial and social types, and beliefs and practices that are different from your own.

"The Way It Is" evokes people to give to the poor and to protest against racial segregation, white supremacy and economic value.