I think it's amazing how the lead singer was so inspired by the story that he kept looking into it and coming up with the song. And then knowing that the couples kids listened to the song and put 2&2 together and realized the song was about their parents and loved it. To me, thats awesome and inspiring.
That's how song writing was meant to be. All through the centuries, news and local legends were immortalized through song. In Ireland during the beginning of the troubles the queen of england ordered the irish bards to be eliminated because they stirred up too much passion against the crown. The beatles wrote a number of songs by simply reading headlines in the newspapers. "12,000 holes in blackburn lancashire" and so on. Even the song Mellow Yellow by Donovan was inspired by the news... "electrical banana" was a slang term for a ...ahem... battery operated boyfriend. I dont know what inspires writers today except not much..... now we have AI doing the writing. A terrible affliction to art if there ever was one.
There is no way AI could write a song like this, a memorial to a forever young old couple that will always be loved and dearly missed by their family and friends.
This is a great example of how smaller news stations should generate content. A great local legend that deserved to be digged deeper into and retold. Fantastic piece and a bit of history here.
Female, 28 years old, this has been one of my favorite song for so many years. It played on shuffle on my phone tonight on my drive home, and I suddenly felt compelled to look up what the meaning was when I got home. I've been crying ever since. Glad this couple was together when they met their end. My heart goes out to anybody with family members experiencing Alzheimer's or dementia. ❤️❤️
It probably felt like a never-ending joyful roadtrip, just constantly reminding them of all their previous good times while traveling together. They were in their own personal bliss. Very poetic..
I’m 75 and an old time rock and roller. I heard this song on my Pandora mix and was immediately drawn in. Now I play it on my guitar and a piano version. Love it.
@@knock4banquetmeals It's not the meaning of the song that they couldn't figure out, it was the facts of the story behind it. Did you guess that it was about two old people just taking off, driving around?
I loved this song. My three year old daughter used to cry inconsolably whenever she heard it. When I asked why, she told me, “Because Mommy, they died”.
I always loved this song! Not knowing the story behind it, I interpreted it as a group of middle-aged friends chasing a mirage in the distance. Longing for that period of time when they were less stressed and had few responsibilities. Their desire leads them to drive to a fantasy place that only they know exists. It felt like an anthem for the over-whelmed. On that level I relate to the song even more now that I am 20 years older and have kids (and a lot more responsibilities). I looked up the lyrics meaning for the first time today. I learned the fascinating story about this couple and how they inspired one of my favorite songs. I was concerned about their family's thoughts on this song. I'm so happy to hear that they view the song positively as a tribute to the decreased couple. It puts a positive spin on a tragic story. After all, nobody will ever know what the mirage they were chasing looked like.
I'm an atheist, but still, it's nice to think that maybe they did find the mirage they were chasing. A mirage that turned out to not only be a real place, but one in which they can drive around forever in eternal bliss.
The first time I heard this song, I had to pull off the road to listen. I quickly scrambled to write down as many of the lyrics I could. Of course, when the song was over, there was no info on the group or the name of the song. This song , to me, was so profound that it shook me. The lyrics, the tone, the chorus. So awesome.!!!!
It is not only a tribute to that couple, it is a tribute to any one that have gone thru Alzheimer, Mental Dementia and others mental disorders that comes with old age, and sometimes surprises at early age. We are having a big family reunion on jun 9th, 2018. And I am learning how to play and my niece is going to sing it. My cousin Wanda whose father, we call him Junior, 75 years old was diagnosed with Alzheimer 5 years ago is the one organizing the activity. I know by fact in my heart gut feeling is to see her father reunite with all his family and test how his mental acuteness is doing. My Mother, his sister is 94, she is being diagnosed with Old Dementia. Two different diseases: Alzheimer "lagoons" are permanent some of them, on Old Dementia, it is temporary, their thoughts come and go, and come back to the present. The song The Way is a tribute, also, to the people that take care of family members with that terrible disease that is Alzheimer Disease. I knew about the story about 5 years ago, and then I felt inlove with the song even more.
@@davecarsley8773 Go back and read his post, especially the first sentence. The point is that it's relatable for other folks too who are experiencing the loss of loved ones to Alzheimer's. He posted something very tragic and heartfelt, and your response was thoughtless and callous.
@@riggs20 Sorry Josephine. What you're saying was said, is not what was said. You're inferring what you want from a comment; i'm taking what was said at face value.
A wonderful song about two people in love. May they never be forgotten. Lovely to see the family members talking about this. And how awesome is it that they like the song?!!
This song always gave me the chills as a child. I thought they abandoned their young children and left, and the line "they'll never grow old and grey" hinted at a sad ending for the couple. I'm glad that the family liked the song. It much give them comfort that their parents and grandparents were immortalized in this way.
My great grandma has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's for about 3 or 4 years now, this song really tugs on my heart strings, and I won't go into details, but things have been bad lately. I hope, like this song, that at least she's happy right now.
I always knew this song had a darker meaning when it first came out, but I've always loved it. I hope Lela and Raymond truly are happier where they are today.
Gosh. What a gorgeous tribute. Next time I hear this I'm gonna think about this loving couple cruising down the road and enjoying the summer. Together forever
When I heard The Way for the first time it was on either MTV or VH-1. I immediately loved it. It was ominous but I still was enthralled by the calypso sound intertwined with a great beat. Later I found out about the couple. That only made it more special. It is a song of songs in my book. RIP to the beautiful couple. They are swinging to it in Heaven!
Finally I have an answer! I loved the song the moment I heard it, but knew there was something dark about it. Closure finally knowing the story behind the song! Great job!
Wow...that's all i can say...i never ever had any idea that's what the song was about...god bless that old couple in heaven.. Its so cool that the family has accepted the song too.i always thought it was about some young people out living it up...goin to listen to it again with a different perspective now.
Wao, I just got caught looking for the lyrics, saw this little report and I got a flow of feelings running out of my heart. I thought it was inspired on young couples who became troubled by the the difficulties of of being parents or simply tired of their lifes. I am really impressed by the soul of the composer. You had a beautiful soul, I love that song even more now
everytime a heard this song, my head started picturing it, now that I know the story behind the song I love it even more.....its a beautiful and sad story at the same time.
When I was little I always thought that this song was about a young couple that left their home while their children were asleep in their beds abandoning them. I had no idea what the lyrics meant I misheard a few of them all I knew was listening to the song made me sad. I am so happy that it was about an elderly couple trying to enjoy life living life to the fullest. May they both rest in peace they will forever be remembered forever be missed.
Beautiful and sad at the same time i was a kid and it was my favorite song i never thought it was a real story of them two love birds i bet they never regret anything before they left RIP 🙏
Tripped out to hear what this song is actually about after all these years (2017). I was 21 yrs old when this song came out and i thought it was just a song about a couple generation X'rs carelessly setting out on a journey to kill boredom
RandysCandy77 My son told me about it. He’s a musician in Austin and had met the band. I think it’s a great song and has always been one of my favorites..
RandysCandy77 Yeah, I also thought it was about young people. I thought it was about young people never getting old and grey because they overdosed on drugs.
I was 12 years old (in 1999) when I kind of found out what this was about because I was obsessed with Fastball at the time and they did an interview on MuchMusic where they explained the inspiration/meaning of the song. Though I thought I remember them saying it was a song about their friends who disappeared then were later found dead at the bottom of a cave. And I remember thinking how could they write that about someone they knew. At that age it really disturbed me to find out the bright summery song was really about death. I was upset about it for a while. lol Anyway I think a year or 2 ago I looked up the meaning again and saw it was about this couple, no one they knew, and the circumstances different than I thought.
Wow. I first heard this song while backpacking round Australia in the late 90s. Instantly sends me back to those days.. now hearing the story behind it.. incredible.
I live 30 miles north of Temple, Texas. They couldve driven right by my house on the way to Arkansas. That is just crazy, man. I knew this song was based on a true story, but I didnt know just how close to home it hit.
I'm was driving coast to coast from Canada. Heard it on radio somewhere on west coast. Loved it. 20 years later, sitting in my backyard in brampton, don't, Canada, my neighbour was playing it. On cassette. It it every jukebox in town after that. Its #1 on my playlist still at 59 yrs.of age.
CHILEDOUG KIZERIAN when i first heard it as a kid i cried n felt emotional on that song with out knowing the story behind it now it makes sense how it can be a emotional song
I’ve heard this song hundreds of times. Heard it on the way home tonight from the coast. That’s how I got here. Going learn this song this week. Great song. Sad but beautiful backstory.
Great song, great band. I had heard the story but had no idea the family was aware of the origin. I am so glad that it has brought them comfort in the wake of this tragic event.
Wow! As someone who works in the news industry I'm amazed by the way this story was put together. Austin is a small market and I really wasn't expecting much from this story but you guys nailed it in a 5 minute piece. Great story telling, i loved it. One of my favorite songs and this piece added to it.
I was 12 when this song came out and I've always loved it. I kind of hear it as a sequel to Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road." It's like it's the same couple some 60 years later, in their 80s, knowing that the end of their lives are near, and deciding to go out for one last ride. They're going out on their own terms. The "road" is their idea of Heaven, "It's always summer, they'll never get cold, never get hungry, never get old and gray..."
12 year old me interpreted this song as men going off to work long hours, away from home. i never questioned 12 year old me. mind blown a bit after this video
In 2008 I was putting together a classic blues, country and rock trio. We did alot of standard stuff from the 40s-80s eras. The guitar player suggested we find some 90s material. I remembered this song from the 90s. Learned it without knowing the backstory. After a couple months I found out on a fluke. Knowing changed my whole attitude. It went from being a great song that everyone knew to a deeply touching song that everyone felt.
I remember thinking this song was just ok when I was a kid, but the older I get, the more I love it! Especially now that I know what inspired it! I play drums in a band, and while we mostly do songs we wrote, we do covers sometimes as well. I’m definitely gonna see about us playing this number one of these days!
Think I discovered the song through a music thread in a forum. Absolutely fell in love with it, I hear it all the time. A friend heard it from me years ago and he still thinks about me when he hears it, particularly after I told him the backstory. Just know that the song and the story are well loved even here in Mexico.
La última tarde qué comparti con mi madre salió esa canción en una emisora de la radio😭😭😭nunca la olvidaré, ella un par de horas después partió a la presencia del Señor 😪🦋
I heard the song way way before the story… and after knowing the story for some time now, I weep like a crazy man… how sad but how liberating at the same time❤️❤️❤️ I love you both😭
I remember hearing this for the 1st time on the radio at work in Scotland. It stopped me in my tracks. Still one of my all time favourite tracks today.
My parents and me moved to temple in 98 This was one of the first songs I list to on the radio. It was catchy and i looked forward to hearing it . Then the music video brought it to life. And just now in 2024 am I hearing that the story it’s from temple. The same town I moved to back in 1998.
such a unique and fascinating story, i clicked on this after looking up the song. I don't think i can hear the song without thinking of the legend of Lela and Raymond now.
Great song, a tribute to eternal youthfulness. To be honest I didn't know what the song was really about, or that it was based on a true story. Like many others here, I always thought it was a middle aged couple deciding to leave behind their dull everyday lives and go on a never ending adventure. Nice to know the true story behind it, even though it's much sadder.
Can't believe alot of people didn't quite know what it was about since it was clear in the lyrics what the inspiration behind it was. Though in all fairness I thought it was about a group of teens that went on an adventure and passed away before they reached their destination so they would be on that adventure forever always happy. "You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere". At the time when I was a kid I got emotional from the song not because of the lyrics but because of the melody and feel of it.
This song takes me back to childhood, reminds me me of summer. It was on a lot on the station I listened to. Sad what it's about but amazing that it's a tribute.
I was still in high school and that song came out and I vividly remember it. I'm so glad that they have at least some kind of closure and they have a tribute to their loved ones. The way they died was definitely tragic but at least we have this. They will live on forever in this song. Rest in peace to the both of them and my condolences to their families. I never knew the real truth behind those lyrics and now I know I'm never going to hear that song the same way again.
Another part of the story is what happens to people at the end of their lives. This couple was fortunate to maintain their independence in their own home---- they had family nearby who loved them, and allowed them to do what they loved doing, and that's the way to live and that's the way to die. That's the way. Lots of folks have no one. My Uncle volunteered for years at a care facility and went to about 50 funerals of folks he hardly knew because, he said, no one else would. He called them 'the forgotten people'.
Very sad and yet, so interesting at the same time. If anything, the song and this news story does a great job of memorializing the Howards. God be with the family. I can't begin to imagine the tragedy of it.
When I first listened to this song many years ago, I wasn’t aware of the story behind it. I always just pictured two people that were tired of where they were and drove off to find whatever it is they were looking for and just assumed they had found it. If you’re together and you’re happy, the search could go on forever.
I never knew this was a REAL story when my daughter and I played it constantly as we were driving from CA to HOUSTON in 2004 - where she lives today with husband and 2 little boys! Might have to take another road trip with all the planes grounded!
I think it's amazing how the lead singer was so inspired by the story that he kept looking into it and coming up with the song. And then knowing that the couples kids listened to the song and put 2&2 together and realized the song was about their parents and loved it. To me, thats awesome and inspiring.
Without a doubt
That's how song writing was meant to be. All through the centuries, news and local legends were immortalized through song.
In Ireland during the beginning of the troubles the queen of england ordered the irish bards to be eliminated because they stirred up too much passion against the crown.
The beatles wrote a number of songs by simply reading headlines in the newspapers. "12,000 holes in blackburn lancashire" and so on. Even the song Mellow Yellow by Donovan was inspired by the news... "electrical banana" was a slang term for a ...ahem... battery operated boyfriend.
I dont know what inspires writers today except not much..... now we have AI doing the writing. A terrible affliction to art if there ever was one.
There is no way AI could write a song like this, a memorial to a forever young old couple that will always be loved and dearly missed by their family and friends.
This is a great example of how smaller news stations should generate content. A great local legend that deserved to be digged deeper into and retold. Fantastic piece and a bit of history here.
News is bottom-up .generated.
Yes!
its not really a legend if it actually happened.
Mr. Ballen covered this story not too long ago.
Female, 28 years old, this has been one of my favorite song for so many years. It played on shuffle on my phone tonight on my drive home, and I suddenly felt compelled to look up what the meaning was when I got home. I've been crying ever since. Glad this couple was together when they met their end. My heart goes out to anybody with family members experiencing Alzheimer's or dementia. ❤️❤️
Beautiful ❤
I think this is one of the most brilliant songs ever. The timing, rhyming, and lyrics.
It's a perfect song 🎵
It probably felt like a never-ending joyful roadtrip, just constantly reminding them of all their previous good times while traveling together. They were in their own personal bliss. Very poetic..
That's beautiful
That is so nice, makes me want to cry. Hope you are doing well in life
I’m 75 and an old time rock and roller. I heard this song on my Pandora mix and was immediately drawn in. Now I play it on my guitar and a piano version. Love it.
Twenty one years later, and I STILL listen to that song; nice to finally know the story behind it.
Ditto.I still love the song(and video),to this day.👍❤👏
if you couldn't figure out the meaning of that song after 21 years
@@knock4banquetmeals
It's not the meaning of the song that they couldn't figure out, it was the facts of the story behind it. Did you guess that it was about two old people just taking off, driving around?
@@roberthamill2451 well I guess I'll never know where you're going without ever knowing the way
@@roberthamill2451 🎸🎸🎸🤙
I loved this song. My three year old daughter used to cry inconsolably whenever she heard it. When I asked why, she told me, “Because Mommy, they died”.
She was right.
Wow, that's incredible how your 3 year old noticed, I'm way older and just found out what the song is about.
Wow! Wise little soul.
Perceptive kid!
Smart kid! 😮
22 years later and i still love this song from my childhood.
I always loved this song! Not knowing the story behind it, I interpreted it as a group of middle-aged friends chasing a mirage in the distance. Longing for that period of time when they were less stressed and had few responsibilities. Their desire leads them to drive to a fantasy place that only they know exists. It felt like an anthem for the over-whelmed. On that level I relate to the song even more now that I am 20 years older and have kids (and a lot more responsibilities).
I looked up the lyrics meaning for the first time today. I learned the fascinating story about this couple and how they inspired one of my favorite songs. I was concerned about their family's thoughts on this song. I'm so happy to hear that they view the song positively as a tribute to the decreased couple. It puts a positive spin on a tragic story. After all, nobody will ever know what the mirage they were chasing looked like.
Stacey Thieme
You strike me as a sweet person. Rock on.
I'm an atheist, but still, it's nice to think that maybe they did find the mirage they were chasing. A mirage that turned out to not only be a real place, but one in which they can drive around forever in eternal bliss.
That is exactly what I thought the song was about till I heard about this couple….!🎶🙏🏻🎵
The first time I heard this song, I had to pull off the road to listen. I quickly scrambled to write down as many of the lyrics I could. Of course, when the song was over, there was no info on the group or the name of the song. This song , to me, was so profound that it shook me. The lyrics, the tone, the chorus. So awesome.!!!!
Very profound and moving.
I had nearly the same experience the first time I heard it...
I started keeping a tablet and pen in my car because I would hear a song and forget all the lyrics.
Lightening in a bottle song
As tragic as the tale is, the song is a joyful affirmation that life truly is an adventure.
Tony Scalzo is a genius
This is by far the best news broadcast I have ever watched. And, I'm watching it years after it was on the news...
It is not only a tribute to that couple, it is a tribute to any one that have gone thru Alzheimer, Mental Dementia and others mental disorders that comes with old age, and sometimes surprises at early age. We are having a big family reunion on jun 9th, 2018. And I am learning how to play and my niece is going to sing it. My cousin Wanda whose father, we call him Junior, 75 years old was diagnosed with Alzheimer 5 years ago is the one organizing the activity. I know by fact in my heart gut feeling is to see her father reunite with all his family and test how his mental acuteness is doing. My Mother, his sister is 94, she is being diagnosed with Old Dementia. Two different diseases: Alzheimer "lagoons" are permanent some of them, on Old Dementia, it is temporary, their thoughts come and go, and come back to the present. The song The Way is a tribute, also, to the people that take care of family members with that terrible disease that is Alzheimer Disease. I knew about the story about 5 years ago, and then I felt inlove with the song even more.
Pedro Quinones
But it's not a tribute to any of that. It's about Lela and Raymond Howard getting lost and dying. Why are you making stuff up?
@@davecarsley8773 Go back and read his post, especially the first sentence. The point is that it's relatable for other folks too who are experiencing the loss of loved ones to Alzheimer's. He posted something very tragic and heartfelt, and your response was thoughtless and callous.
I hope the reunion and your niece's rendition went well!
@@riggs20 Sorry Josephine. What you're saying was said, is not what was said. You're inferring what you want from a comment; i'm taking what was said at face value.
I took a nap and woke up and this song popd up on my mind. I downloaded it, get the lyrics. I never knew this was the story behind. Proud 90's kid
A wonderful song about two people in love. May they never be forgotten. Lovely to see the family members talking about this. And how awesome is it that they like the song?!!
This song always gave me the chills as a child. I thought they abandoned their young children and left, and the line "they'll never grow old and grey" hinted at a sad ending for the couple. I'm glad that the family liked the song. It much give them comfort that their parents and grandparents were immortalized in this way.
My great grandma has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's for about 3 or 4 years now, this song really tugs on my heart strings, and I won't go into details, but things have been bad lately.
I hope, like this song, that at least she's happy right now.
This song always give me chills knowing the back story. Beautiful lyrics.
I loved the song the first time I heard it not knowing why, now I know why, eternal rest to both.
it's so sweet how happy the song makes the family 🥺
I always knew this song had a darker meaning when it first came out, but I've always loved it. I hope Lela and Raymond truly are happier where they are today.
Every time I listen to it I cannot stop the tears.. I see a beautiful couple walking a paved gold road together.. 💕💕
Gosh. What a gorgeous tribute. Next time I hear this I'm gonna think about this loving couple cruising down the road and enjoying the summer. Together forever
An eternal tribute to Lela and Raymond Howard..👼
When I heard The Way for the first time it was on either MTV or VH-1. I immediately loved it.
It was ominous but I still was enthralled by the calypso sound intertwined with a great beat. Later I found out about the couple. That only made it more special. It is a song of songs in my book.
RIP to the beautiful couple.
They are swinging to it in Heaven!
Finally I have an answer! I loved the song the moment I heard it, but knew there was something dark about it. Closure finally knowing the story behind the song! Great job!
Wow...that's all i can say...i never ever had any idea that's what the song was about...god bless that old couple in heaven.. Its so cool that the family has accepted the song too.i always thought it was about some young people out living it up...goin to listen to it again with a different perspective now.
Wao, I just got caught looking for the lyrics, saw this little report and I got a flow of feelings running out of my heart. I thought it was inspired on young couples who became troubled by the the difficulties of of being parents or simply tired of their lifes. I am really impressed by the soul of the composer. You had a beautiful soul, I love that song even more now
Still one of my favorites. Wow a powerful backstory.
everytime a heard this song, my head started picturing it, now that I know the story behind the song I love it even more.....its a beautiful and sad story at the same time.
When I was little I always thought that this song was about a young couple that left their home while their children were asleep in their beds abandoning them. I had no idea what the lyrics meant I misheard a few of them all I knew was listening to the song made me sad. I am so happy that it was about an elderly couple trying to enjoy life living life to the fullest. May they both rest in peace they will forever be remembered forever be missed.
They wanted to have one last adventure together.. And they did. But how they got through Dallas...lol
Love the song, Fastball & Tony Scalzo voice and story will live on forever! An anthem in our hearts, Thank you!
Beautiful and sad at the same time i was a kid and it was my favorite song i never thought it was a real story of them two love birds i bet they never regret anything before they left RIP 🙏
Great story, an 88 year old dude and his girl saying F' everyone, let's go!!!
Michael Gatten they checked out while having fun. I hope they did not suffer one bit.
Michael Gatten Not really a great story... they both had dementia and died of dehydration
@@lordoshower3478 Actually they both died in the crash.
You only get old on the outside.
@@thehighpriestess8431 they did indeed suffer
Tripped out to hear what this song is actually about after all these years (2017). I was 21 yrs old when this song came out and i thought it was just a song about a couple generation X'rs carelessly setting out on a journey to kill boredom
RandysCandy77 My son told me about it. He’s a musician in Austin and had met the band. I think it’s a great song and has always been one of my favorites..
RandysCandy77 Another Generation X here, I just found this when I searched for the song because I loved it so much. It truly means so much more now.
RandysCandy77
Yeah, I also thought it was about young people. I thought it was about young people never getting old and grey because they overdosed on drugs.
I was 12 years old (in 1999) when I kind of found out what this was about because I was obsessed with Fastball at the time and they did an interview on MuchMusic where they explained the inspiration/meaning of the song. Though I thought I remember them saying it was a song about their friends who disappeared then were later found dead at the bottom of a cave. And I remember thinking how could they write that about someone they knew. At that age it really disturbed me to find out the bright summery song was really about death. I was upset about it for a while. lol Anyway I think a year or 2 ago I looked up the meaning again and saw it was about this couple, no one they knew, and the circumstances different than I thought.
everyone did. great song
This song is fantastically written. So eerie
Wow. I first heard this song while backpacking round Australia in the late 90s. Instantly sends me back to those days.. now hearing the story behind it.. incredible.
One of my favorite songs. I found out years ago the meaning behind the song. Because of this, I now have a tear every time this song is played.
My love to the Howards, this season. Forever. My prayers forever. A love story for all time.
This song always gave me goosebumps as a kid. I knew the meaning when it was on the charts because of pop up video. Such a haunting song. ♥️
Rosa Lee
Pop in to pop up video!
Great song, and great to hear the true story behind it after so long.
Im 62 and just recently heard it for the 1st time.. Beautiful tribute to that couple..
I love the song even more now
I read several reports of this back around the time they were doing their road trip tragic as it was. The lyrics are enchanting.
I live 30 miles north of Temple, Texas. They couldve driven right by my house on the way to Arkansas. That is just crazy, man. I knew this song was based on a true story, but I didnt know just how close to home it hit.
I'm was driving coast to coast from Canada. Heard it on radio somewhere on west coast. Loved it. 20 years later, sitting in my backyard in brampton, don't, Canada, my neighbour was playing it. On cassette. It it every jukebox in town after that. Its #1 on my playlist still at 59 yrs.of age.
Just a great song, great story, and great video. Love this song.
IT IS STILL A LOVE STORY NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT I GET TEARS OF SADNESS AND JOY
CHILEDOUG KIZERIAN when i first heard it as a kid i cried n felt emotional on that song with out knowing the story behind it now it makes sense how it can be a emotional song
So did I. A magnificent love story, dam, I thinking about Grandma and Grandpa.
It's not a love story, though it does get me emotional and has a deep impact
mizBLU aka FRWG
It's called minor chords and harmonies
I’ve heard this song hundreds of times. Heard it on the way home tonight from the coast. That’s how I got here. Going learn this song this week.
Great song. Sad but beautiful backstory.
Great song, great band. I had heard the story but had no idea the family was aware of the origin. I am so glad that it has brought them comfort in the wake of this tragic event.
Wow! This was my favorite song as a kid and I've never heard of this story or the songs meaning. I lived here my while life
Wow! As someone who works in the news industry I'm amazed by the way this story was put together. Austin is a small market and I really wasn't expecting much from this story but you guys nailed it in a 5 minute piece. Great story telling, i loved it. One of my favorite songs and this piece added to it.
Austin is a small market? Maybe 20 years ago.
Austin is a small market??? You clearly don't work in "the news industry"
I was 12 when this song came out and I've always loved it. I kind of hear it as a sequel to Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road." It's like it's the same couple some 60 years later, in their 80s, knowing that the end of their lives are near, and deciding to go out for one last ride. They're going out on their own terms. The "road" is their idea of Heaven, "It's always summer, they'll never get cold, never get hungry, never get old and gray..."
12 year old me interpreted this song as men going off to work long hours, away from home. i never questioned 12 year old me. mind blown a bit after this video
Always been my favorite song growing up, that chorus always hits me, I’d love nothing more then to play this song with fast ball.
In 2008 I was putting together a classic blues, country and rock trio. We did alot of standard stuff from the 40s-80s eras. The guitar player suggested we find some 90s material. I remembered this song from the 90s. Learned it without knowing the backstory. After a couple months I found out on a fluke. Knowing changed my whole attitude. It went from being a great song that everyone knew to a deeply touching song that everyone felt.
Sad end but an amazing tribute for a lovely couple ❤️
I never knew this song was about that old couple!! How sweet!
Wow. I love that song and had no idea of it's meaning.. Thank you for this wonderful story.. I write this with a tears in my eyes
I remember thinking this song was just ok when I was a kid, but the older I get, the more I love it! Especially now that I know what inspired it!
I play drums in a band, and while we mostly do songs we wrote, we do covers sometimes as well.
I’m definitely gonna see about us playing this number one of these days!
Think I discovered the song through a music thread in a forum. Absolutely fell in love with it, I hear it all the time. A friend heard it from me years ago and he still thinks about me when he hears it, particularly after I told him the backstory. Just know that the song and the story are well loved even here in Mexico.
2018 and learning about the story for first time. thanks!
La última tarde qué comparti con mi madre salió esa canción en una emisora de la radio😭😭😭nunca la olvidaré, ella un par de horas después partió a la presencia del Señor 😪🦋
one of the best uploads ever! love this.
Love that song..even better knowing the story behind it.
We need more songs with meaning like this
This song is on my play list.. I listened to it yesterday, and I'm going to listen to it again.
I heard the song way way before the story… and after knowing the story for some time now, I weep like a crazy man… how sad but how liberating at the same time❤️❤️❤️ I love you both😭
Fascinating ! 🧐… now they will live forever thru this song
I remember hearing this for the 1st time on the radio at work in Scotland. It stopped me in my tracks. Still one of my all time favourite tracks today.
Ive loved that sing from the first time i heard it..and only this evening learned the story behind its..amazing ... R.I.P LILA and RAYMOND
My parents and me moved to temple in 98
This was one of the first songs I list to on the radio. It was catchy and i looked forward to hearing it . Then the music video brought it to life.
And just now in 2024 am I hearing that the story it’s from temple. The same town I moved to back in 1998.
What a fantastic piece. Michael Perchick, this was extremely well put-together. Thank you for this.
such a unique and fascinating story, i clicked on this after looking up the song. I don't think i can hear the song without thinking of the legend of Lela and Raymond now.
Great song, a tribute to eternal youthfulness. To be honest I didn't know what the song was really about, or that it was based on a true story. Like many others here, I always thought it was a middle aged couple deciding to leave behind their dull everyday lives and go on a never ending adventure. Nice to know the true story behind it, even though it's much sadder.
Can't believe alot of people didn't quite know what it was about since it was clear in the lyrics what the inspiration behind it was. Though in all fairness I thought it was about a group of teens that went on an adventure and passed away before they reached their destination so they would be on that adventure forever always happy. "You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere". At the time when I was a kid I got emotional from the song not because of the lyrics but because of the melody and feel of it.
rbrtbrdshw especially now since it has that nostalgia factor
So you can't believe so many people didn't know what it was about, but _you_ didn't know what it was about? Got it.
Wow. Great hearing the backstory. So emotional.
No kidding, wow!!
That’s beyond interesting...
I always have loved this song
i'm crying
Just hear this at the grocery store :-) remembered it from long ago and had to look it up. Great lyrics and fitting for this story.
Love this song even more now knowing the meaning behind the song.
This song takes me back to childhood, reminds me me of summer. It was on a lot on the station I listened to. Sad what it's about but amazing that it's a tribute.
I was still in high school and that song came out and I vividly remember it. I'm so glad that they have at least some kind of closure and they have a tribute to their loved ones. The way they died was definitely tragic but at least we have this. They will live on forever in this song. Rest in peace to the both of them and my condolences to their families. I never knew the real truth behind those lyrics and now I know I'm never going to hear that song the same way again.
What a tune and band and story. Rest in peace
Another part of the story is what happens to people at the end of their lives. This couple was fortunate to maintain their independence in their own home---- they had family nearby who loved them, and allowed them to do what they loved doing, and that's the way to live and that's the way to die. That's the way.
Lots of folks have no one. My Uncle volunteered for years at a care facility and went to about 50 funerals of folks he hardly knew because, he said, no one else would. He called them 'the forgotten people'.
That is sadly so true, bless your uncle, that is a job that is definitely not for everyone. Sounds like a very nice guy
Chilling spooky but awesome story.
This is beautiful...
i'd never have guessed; wow; thanks for posting this
Enfim encontrei detalhes da história que originou inspirou a canção The Way
Very sad and yet, so interesting at the same time. If anything, the song and this news story does a great job of memorializing the Howards. God be with the family. I can't begin to imagine the tragedy of it.
Always loved this song growing up.
R.I.p. to them.🙏🏼🙏🏼
Excellent job, KVUE! I now have a much better understanding of the song and the story behind it.
😢😢😢RIP BOTH 💐💐
one of my favorite songs. I even knew it was based on truth. Love the song, and the family, having closure, is amazing. Love it
When I first listened to this song many years ago, I wasn’t aware of the story behind it. I always just pictured two people that were tired of where they were and drove off to find whatever it is they were looking for and just assumed they had found it. If you’re together and you’re happy, the search could go on forever.
Beautiful Story!❤!
I never knew this was a REAL story when my daughter and I played it constantly as we were driving from CA to HOUSTON in 2004 - where she lives today with husband and 2 little boys! Might have to take another road trip with all the planes grounded!
It seems to be more sad after I know the story. Let's be a good son and daughter!