Lil Uzi Vert isn’t exactly known for being a philosopher. Usually, we associate the Philly rapper with high-energy mosh pits, diamond forehead implants, and a flow that moves faster than a Lamborghini on the I-95. But then there’s that one track. You know the one. Even if you aren't a die-hard rap fan, the way life goes lyrics have probably found their way into your subconscious at some point since 2017. It’s a song about the universal experience of getting your heart absolutely ripped out of your chest and realizing, with a sort of numb shock, that the world hasn't stopped spinning.
It’s weirdly comforting.
The track, tucked away on Luv Is Rage 2, wasn't just another hit; it became a generational anthem for resilience. It’s been years, and yet, the song still pulls massive numbers on streaming platforms. Why? Because Uzi tapped into a specific kind of "emo-rap" vulnerability that felt more honest than the hyper-masculine bravado usually found in the charts. He wasn't just saying he was sad. He was saying he was moving on, even if he didn't want to.
The Oh Wonder Connection and That Iconic Sample
A huge part of why the song works is the skeleton it’s built on. If the melody sounds familiar, that’s because it’s lifted—with total respect—from the indie-pop duo Oh Wonder. Their song "Landslide" provides the backbone. Specifically, the chorus of "Landslide" is what Uzi interpolates for his own hook.
When Josephine Vander Gucht and Anthony West wrote those lines, they were thinking about support and steadying oneself. Uzi took that energy and applied it to the aftermath of his high-profile breakup with Brittany Byrd. It’s a fascinating bit of musical alchemy. You take a polite, melodic British indie track and transform it into a trap-influenced meditation on heartbreak.
The core message of the way life goes lyrics is summarized in that repetitive, almost hypnotic mantra: "I know it hurts sometimes but you'll get over it / You'll find another life to live / I swear that you'll get over it." It sounds like something a best friend tells you at 3:00 AM when you're crying over a pint of ice cream. It’s simple. It’s blunt. It’s true.
Breaking Down the Verse: More Than Just "I'm Sad"
People often dismiss Uzi as a "mumble rapper," but if you actually sit with the verses here, there’s a lot of narrative nuance. He’s oscillating between ego and agony. One minute he’s bragging about his wealth ("I’m the youngest in charge"), and the next he’s admitting that he can’t even look at his ex because the pain is too sharp.
- The Struggle of Relapse: He mentions "I like that girl too much, I wish I never met her." That’s a heavy sentiment. It’s the realization that some experiences, while beautiful, carry a cost that feels too high in retrospect.
- The Role of Materialism: There’s a constant mention of "Goyard" and "Raris." In the context of the song, these aren't just flexes. They feel like distractions. He’s trying to buy his way out of a mood, and the lyrics suggest it isn't working as well as he hoped.
- The Nikki Minaj Factor: We can't talk about this song without mentioning the remix. Minaj added a layer of "grown-woman" perspective to the track. While Uzi sounded like he was drowning in the middle of the storm, Nicki sounded like she had already made it to the shore. Her verse added a different texture to the "way life goes" philosophy, focusing on self-worth and moving on with a bit of "boss" energy.
Honestly, the original version feels more intimate. It’s just Uzi and his thoughts. The way he drags out certain syllables—that melodic whining he’s perfected—makes the lyrics feel more like a diary entry than a polished studio recording.
Why We Can't Stop Quoting the Chorus
There’s a psychological reason this song stuck. According to various musicologists and cultural critics, "The Way Life Goes" belongs to a sub-genre of music that functions as "auditory catharsis."
When you’re going through a rough patch, hearing someone else acknowledge that "it hurts sometimes" validates your feelings. But the song doesn't let you stay in the pit. It forces you to look at the "other life to live." It’s a weirdly optimistic breakup song. Most heartbreak tracks are about the end of the world. This one is about the day after the world ended.
Think about the structure. The beat, produced by Don Cannon and Ike Beats, is surprisingly upbeat. It’s got a bounce to it. This creates a "sonic dissonance." You have sad, reflective lyrics sitting on top of a beat that makes you want to nod your head. This mirrors real life. You might be dying inside, but you still have to go to work, you still have to walk the dog, and the sun still comes up. That’s just the way life goes.
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The Cultural Impact and the "Emo-Rap" Wave
Uzi, along with late artists like Juice WRLD and Lil Peep, redefined what it meant to be a rapper in the late 2010s. They broke the "tough guy" mold. By being open about mental health and romantic failure, they gave a whole generation of listeners permission to feel things.
The way life goes lyrics served as a blueprint for this. It wasn't about being a victim; it was about the inevitability of change.
I remember when the music video dropped. Directed by Daps, it featured Uzi tied to a tree in a forest while a wolf circled him. It was metaphorical and strange, but it captured that feeling of being trapped by your own emotions while the world (the wolf) waits for you to stumble. It’s a vivid image that perfectly matches the "stuck" feeling described in the verses.
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Common Misconceptions About the Song
- It’s just about Brittany Byrd: While she was the muse, the song is broader. It’s about the loss of any major pillar in your life.
- It’s a "sad" song: Not really. If you listen to the end, it’s a "recovery" song. It’s about the transition from pain to acceptance.
- The lyrics are simple: They are, but that’s the point. Complex metaphors often obscure the raw emotion. Uzi chose the shortest path to the listener's heart.
How to Actually Apply the "Way Life Goes" Philosophy
It’s easy to just listen to the song and feel a bit better, but there’s a deeper takeaway if you’re actually struggling with a "life goes on" moment. The song teaches us a few things about emotional endurance.
First, acknowledge the hurt. Don't "alpha" your way through it. Uzi literally says it hurts. That’s the first step to it not hurting anymore. Second, recognize that your current state isn't your permanent state. The "other life to live" isn't a metaphor; it’s a literal description of your future self who has moved past this moment.
Third, find your own "Landslide." For Uzi, it was a song by Oh Wonder. For you, it might be a hobby, a friend, or a different piece of art. Find the thing that anchors you when your internal world is messy.
Actionable Steps for Moving Forward
If you’re currently stuck on the loop of the way life goes lyrics because you’re actually going through it, here’s how to use the song’s energy to actually get to the "other side":
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- Audit Your "Sad" Playlists: It’s okay to wallow for a bit, but eventually, you need to transition to music that has that "Uzi bounce." Move from the purely acoustic tear-jerkers to tracks that acknowledge the pain but keep a tempo above 90 BPM.
- Define Your "Other Life": Write down three things you want to do once the "hurting sometimes" part is over. What does that new life look like?
- Practice Radical Acceptance: The phrase "that’s just the way life goes" is a form of Stoicism. You can't control the breakup or the loss, but you can control your realization that it is a natural part of the human cycle.
- Connect with the Source: Go back and listen to "Landslide" by Oh Wonder. Sometimes hearing the original inspiration for a song gives you a fresh perspective on the finished product. It shows you how something sad can be rebuilt into something powerful.
Life is messy. People leave. Jobs disappear. Things break. But as Uzi reminds us every time that chorus kicks in, you’re going to get over it. You always do. That’s the only way it can go.