That’s the Way It Is artwork

That’s the Way It Is

Céline Dion

KeyE major
Tempo94 BPM
Duration4:01

Rhodes melody, piano & acoustic guitar.

Song map

INTROClick a line to play from there
SONG NOTES

Questions about this song

Answers from our automatic transcription. Key, tempo and chord labels may contain errors.

What key is That’s the Way It Is by Céline Dion in?

This transcription starts in E major. Later key changes are detected at 2:27 (E minor); 2:48 (A major).

What tempo is That’s the Way It Is?

The estimated tempo is 94 BPM, calculated from the median spacing between detected beats. This is a summary of the transcription; timing can vary during the song.

What are the main chord progressions in That’s the Way It Is?

Recurring four-chord sequences in this transcription include E → Asus2 → A → C♯m (7 occurrences); Asus2 → A → C♯m → B (7 occurrences); A → D → F♯m7 → E (7 occurrences). These are exact chord-label matches within sections, not a complete harmonic analysis.

What are the relative chords in That’s the Way It Is?

Here are a few patterns to play with: I → IVsus2 → IV → vi in E major; IVsus2 → IV → vi → V in E major; I → IV → vi7 → V in A major. Think of Roman numerals as chord names you can take into any key. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor; in minor keys, we count from the natural-minor scale.

Does That’s the Way It Is use a well-known chord progression?

Yes! In E major: The three-chord I–IV–V progression (V → I → IV) shows up in the intro at 0:14 and 0:23. Three chords, plenty of mileage: home, a lift away, and the pull to come back. In A major: The three-chord I–IV–V progression (V → I → IV) shows up in the chorus at 2:54 and 2:59.

What time signature is That’s the Way It Is in?

The song starts in 4/4, with a short partial bar at the beginning.

How is That’s the Way It Is structured?

The detected sections are intro (0:00) → verse (0:31) → pre-chorus (0:52) → chorus (1:02) → verse (1:25) → pre-chorus (1:46) → chorus (1:56) → bridge (2:27) → chorus (2:50).

How long is this version of That’s the Way It Is?

The transcribed version lasts 4:01. Other recordings or edits may have a different duration.

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