Cole co-wrote every song on the album, and also worked with a number of producers and writers, including Ron Fair, Sean Garrett, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Polow da Don, John Legend, Alicia Keys and Kanye West.

The fourth single "Love" was the album's best-performing song on the Hot 100, spending nineteen weeks on the chart and becoming Cole's first top 20 hit in the US.

The Way It Is was Cole's longest-charting album on the Billboard 200, remaining on the chart for sixty-four weeks in total and eventually selling over 1.6 million copies.

Around the age of 12-13, Cole managed to convince American rapper MC Hammer into giving her a backup vocal slot and a chance to record with him.

[3] Once she caught her then boyfriend cheating on her with another woman, she got in her car and drove for nine hours to Los Angeles, California to further pursue her music career according to her biography page on her website.

[5] While explaining her life struggles and career beginnings, Cole said, "I was 21, He signed me after he heard half a song, Ron took me to Jimmy Iovine that next week, and then 'I Changed My Mind' came out.

[6][7] The album served as a "light at the end of the tunnel" for Cole and was the culmination of years of trials and tribulations, along with emotional drama.

[13] "You've Changed" was written by Cole, Leonard Huggins, Rich Shelton and Ron Fair while being produced by the latter two alongside Kevin Veney and Loren Hill.

[17][18] The Way It Is was released on June 21, 2005 through A&M Records in Italy,[19] Japan,[20] and the United States (alongside Imani Entertainment) with twelve tracks.

[28] She also served as opening act on five dates for Kanye West's Touch the Sky Tour (2005–06), performing from October 31, 2005 to February 28, 2006 on both halves of the American and European legs.

[43] The song's Benny Boom-directed accompanying music video featured American singer Tyrese as Cole's love interest.

He felt that "from the opener, the album seems to be set up like a linear narrative about a crumbling relationship, but it doesn't quite play out that way, with the scenes shuffled out of order.

"[6] Janet Tzou, writing for Entertainment Weekly found that "Cole certainly nails all the basics on The Way It Is: big-name guest talent and husky ballads lamenting those tricky matters of the heart.

[46] Brolin Winning of Rhapsody said that The Way It Is showcases Cole's "strong vocals" and "struggle-filled" lyricism, with "deep songs" about infidelity, heartbreak and true love.

[54] Barry Walters of Rolling Stone gave a positive review, saying that Cole "rides the album's multiple peaks with a rare mix of street smarts and chops.

[52] Rondell Conway of Vibe wrote Cole's "ability to belt to her heart's content saves the album from its inconsistent production.

"[53] Amy Linden of Village Voice declared that the album "buoys honest, rugged, unpitying good-girl-gone-wrong anthems with the de rigueur hip hop atmospherics.

[62][63] The album was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 14, 2006 for sales exceeding one million copies.

[66] In the United Kingdom, The Way It Is reached a peak position of 184 on the UK Albums Chart, signifying its reception to the European music markets.

[68] Impressively, it maintained its presence on the R&B chart for a total of 17 weeks, indicating sustained popularity and resonating with a significant audience for an extended period.

[71] Via her Instagram page, American singer Ari Lennox named The Way It Is as "one of the most phenomenal debut albums ever", continuing with "This joint is a classic and forever cranks!"

[72] Web publication Rated R&B celebrated The Way It Is's fifteenth anniversary and highlighted its two singles "(I Just Want It) To Be Over" and "Love", along with Cole's breakthrough performance of "I Should Have Cheated" at the 2005 Vibe Awards and complimented four other songs from the album.