About The Song
“That’s Old Fashioned (That’s the Way Love Should Be)” was released by The Everly Brothers on April 18, 1962, as a single on Warner Bros. Records (catalog 5273). It was paired with “How Can I Meet Her?” as a double-sided release. Produced by their longtime mentor Archie Bleyer, the song runs 2:20 and features the brothers’ signature crystal-clear harmonies, gentle acoustic guitar, and a warm, mid-tempo pop-country arrangement that perfectly suits its nostalgic tone.
Written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Artie Wayne, the song was originally recorded but left unreleased by The Chordettes. Archie Bleyer, who had strong ties to both acts, gave the song to the Everly Brothers. It became their final Top 10 hit in the United States.
The lyrics celebrate old-fashioned romance in a modern world: “We hold hands in the movie show / So they say that we’re old fashioned / Or we stroll beneath the silvery moon / And we carve our initials in the old oak tree.” The narrator proudly defends traditional gestures of love — holding hands, carving initials, and taking walks — against those who call them outdated. The chorus delivers the central message with sincerity: “That’s old fashioned, that’s the way love should be.” The song presents a gentle defense of timeless values in relationships during a rapidly changing era.
The single performed strongly, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending 11 weeks on the chart. It also reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart, demonstrating its broad appeal. While it marked the end of the Everlys’ string of major Top 10 hits, it remains a fan favorite for its warm sentiment and classic sound.
The track later appeared on various compilations, including The Golden Hits of The Everly Brothers and numerous greatest hits packages. It has been praised for its elegant simplicity and the brothers’ flawless vocal blend, which gave the song a timeless, heartfelt quality.
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Lyric
… We hold hands in the movie show
So they say that we’re old fashioned
Or we stroll beneath the silvery moon
And we carve our initials in the old oak tree.
That’s old fashioned.
That’s the way love should be.
… We enjoy sitting side by side
In the booth at the ice cream parlor
Where we play the nickelodeon
And we dance when we hear our favorite melody.
That’s old fashioned.
That’s the way love should be.
… It’s a modern changing world
Everything is moving fast.
But when it comes to love I like
What they did in the past.
… I’m the kind who loves only one
So the boys say I’m old fashioned.
Let them laugh, honey I don’t mind.
I’ve made plans for a wedding day for you and me.
That’s old fashioned.
That’s the way love should be.