Ain't That Just the Way

"Ain't That Just the Way" is a song written by Bruce Belland, Glen Larson and Stu Phillips. American model, actress and singer Barbi Benton originally recorded it for release as the B-side of her 1975 single "The Reverend Bob". It became a major hit in Scandinavia, especially in Sweden, topping the Swedish singles chart for 10 weeks in 1977. It also topped the charts in Finland. In 1978, it appeared on her album with the same name, released only in Scandinavia. The song was performed in the McCloud TV series.[1] In 1996, Lutricia McNeal's cover of "Ain't That Just the Way" became a hit in Europe and New Zealand.

"Ain't That Just the Way"
Single by Barbi Benton
A-side"The Reverend Bob"
Released1975 (1975)
Length2:55
LabelPlayboy
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Stu Phillips
Barbi Benton singles chronology
"Roll You Like a Wheel"
(1975)		 "Ain't That Just the Way"
(1975)		 "Staying Power"
(1976)

Charts
Chart (1976–1977) Peak
position
Finland[2] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[3] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[4] 1

Lutricia McNeal version
"Ain't That Just the Way"
Single by Lutricia McNeal
from the album My Side of Town
ReleasedNovember 1996 (1996-11)
Length3:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Daniel Bäckström
  • Daniel Papalexis
  • Josef Svedlund
  • Rami Yacoub
Lutricia McNeal singles chronology
"Ain't That Just the Way"
(1996)		 "My Side of Town"
(1997)
Music video
"Ain't That Just the Way" on YouTube

American singer Lutricia McNeal released her version of "Ain't That Just the Way" as her debut single in November 1996. It was included on her debut album, My Side of Town, in 1997. The single became a hit in Europe, topping the Swedish Singles Chart on the week of November 15, 1996, and reaching the top five in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It also found success in New Zealand, peaking at number two for four weeks and becoming McNeal's highest-charting single in the country until 1999, when "My Side of Town" reached number one.

In 2020, McNeal re-recorded her vocals for "Ain't That Just the Way", which were used in a new version of this song, recorded by German DJ Charming Horses and released on 13 March 2020.

Background and release

Lutricia McNeal first came to notice as the lead singer of Swedish dance act Rob'n'Raz. Their 1993-hit "In Command" went to number one in Sweden. In 1995 their manager, Jonas Siljemark, convinced McNeal to try some solo recordings for his own Siljemark label. She recorded an cover on Barbi Benton's 1975 song "Ain't That Just the Way", which topped the Swedish Singles Chart for 10 weeks in 1977.

After peaking at number one in Sweden in 1996, "Ain't That Just the Way" was picked up by Dutch radio programmers early in 1997. It sold 55,000 units there, then the record broke into neighboring Germany. Later, it gained popularity in Belgium, Austria and Switzerland.[5] In November 1997 "Ain't That Just the Way" debuted and peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, and in April 1998 it reached number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart for four consecutive weeks.

McNeal won the Best Newcomer award for "Ain't That Just The Way" at the 1997 Swedish Dance Awards.[6]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that McNeal "earns high marks on her first single if only for not falling into the trap of mimicking Mary J. Blige or Brandy like nearly every other jeep-soul diva in waiting. Instead, she aims to forge her own original path, belting with little attitude and absolutely no affectation. The result is a wonderfully charming, instantly infectious recording that leaves you hankering for more. For trend followers, the groove chugs at a spirited hip hop pace, blossoming into a full-bodied pop sing-along at the chorus. It's anyone's guess which format will climb aboard first—and it hardly matters since this smacks with across-the-board appeal."[7] Adrian Thrills from Daily Mail viewed it as "sassy", adding that the singer is "mixing the soulful swagger of Donna Summer with a flapper-girl elegance reminiscent of the Pointer Sisters".[8]

Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented that American-born McNeal "had to travel over-seas to follow her star, but based on this debut single, that star is about to follow her home. Originally from Oklahoma City, she wound up in Sweden where she fell in love, got married, and also hit the top of the charts. That success has since spread to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This song is next set to hit the streets in the U.S.A. and the UK. It's easy to get caught up in the flow of this cool entry."[9] Pan-European magazine Music & Media noted that the singer's cover "features an urban soul sound which is finding favour in playlist meetings at CHR, rock and dance stations alike."[10] Dave Fawbert from ShortList complimented the song as a "great little tune".[11]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Ain't That Just the Way" was directed by Swedish director and photographer Patric Ullaeus.

Track listing

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[45] Gold 25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[46] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[47] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] Platinum 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Silver 200,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Europe November 1996 CD
[50]
Austria March 26, 1997 CNR Music [17]
Benelux
France
Germany
Switzerland
United States November 11, 1997
[51]
Japan April 22, 1998 CD Sony [52]

Other versions

References
  1. "McCloud (TV Series)". Internet Movie Database (in Swedish). 1975. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
  2. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4. Suuri suomalainen listakirja. Helsinki: Tammi. p. 152. ISBN 951-31-2504-1.
  3. "Barbi Benton – Ain't That Just the Way (That Life Goes Down)". VG-lista.
  4. "Barbi Benton – Ain't That Just the Way (That Life Goes Down)". Singles Top 100.
  5. "Radio is Just The Way for diva McNeal" (PDF). Music & Media. January 24, 1998. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  6. "Veterans acts scoop Swedish Dance Awards" (PDF). Music & Media. April 19, 1997. p. 6. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  7. Flick, Larry (December 13, 1997). "New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  8. Thrills, Adrian (July 17, 1998). "Spirited Crows soar ever higher; It's Friday! Music!". Daily Mail.
  9. Sholin, Dave (November 14, 1997). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 2181. p. 54. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  10. "Airborne" (PDF). Music & Media. December 6, 1997. p. 17. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  11. Fawbert, Dave (November 17, 2017). "Old Music Friday: reviewing all the tunes released 20 years ago today". ShortList. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  12. "Lutricia McNeal – Ain't That Just the Way" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  13. "Lutricia McNeal – Ain't That Just the Way" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  14. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 44. November 1, 1997. p. 16.
  15. "Lutricia McNeal: Ain't That Just the Way" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
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  18. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 9. February 28, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
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  31. "Rhythmic Airplay". Billboard. February 21, 1998. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
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  33. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1997" (in German). Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  34. "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. 7. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
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  46. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lutricia McNeal; 'Ain't That Just the Way')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  47. "Dutch single certifications – Lutricia McNeal – Ain't That Just the Way" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 2, 2019. Enter Ain't That Just the Way in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1998 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
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  51. "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1223. November 14, 1997. pp. 36, 42.
  52. "ルトリシア・マクニール" [Lutricia McNeal]. Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
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  54. "Som en sång" (in Swedish). Svensk mediedatabas. 1977. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  55. "Dance with Me" (in Swedish). Svensk mediedatabas. 2002. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
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