“That’s the Way (I Like It)” by KC and the Sunshine Band

Due to its lively sound and feel, “That’s the Way (I Like It)” is often interpreted as a dance number – which in fact it is. Most of the song is dominated by its catchy hook, which is based on the title and is ambiguous enough. But once you dig into the verses you can see how the Reverend Jesse Jackson and others may have been alarmed by a track like this hitting the airwaves back in the 1970s. And this is even after KC and the boys toned the lyrics down to make them more radio-friendly. For it is pretty clear, though the lyrics in and of themselves are not raunchy, that the titular “it” is an experience akin to bedroom fun.

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for KC and the Sunshine Band's That’s the Way (I Like It) at Lyrics.org.

And with that being said, there really isn’t that much more to this song. Like other of KC and the Sunshine Band’s hits, the lyrics are actually quite repetitive.

But conclusively we can say that the addressee is the intimate partner of the singer. And what he is telling her, succinctly put, is that he enjoys being with her in a romantic sense. And generally speaking yes, this track can in fact be classified as a “sex rock” song. That is to say it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the tune has a strong sensual undertone. But as Richard Finch has pointed out, its lyricism is actually mild compared to similarly-themed tracks which have been released in later years.

Lyrics of "That's the Way (I Like It)"

Facts about “That’s the Way (I Like It)”

This song was written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey (KC). He co-wrote this classic with one of his bandmates and regular songwriting partner, Richard Finch.

This track is from the KC and the Sunshine Band’s eponymous album, which was also their second. And TK Records released it as the second single from that project on 10 June 1975.

This track scored a number 1 on many prestigious American music charts, including the Billboard Hot 100. In doing so, it became the second time the band had achieved such an enviable feat. A couple of years later, the band achieved this feat again with the song “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty“.

In terms of the Hot 100, it holds the distinction of being one of only a few tracks to top the charts twice within the timespan of a month. For it was briefly knocked out of the number one position by a song entitled “Fly Robin Fly”. However, it regained it after a week and overall held down the top spot for three weeks total.

Generally speaking, “That’s the Way (I Like It)” charted in over a dozen countries and in most cases broke the top 10.

This catchy tune has gone on to have quite a pop-media presence, being featured on movies as diverse as the below:

  • “Carlito’s Way” (1993)
  •  “Space Jam” (1996)
  • “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” (2009)

And you can also say that this is KC and the Sunshine Band’s signature tune. Even the 2002 biography of Harry Wayne Casey was likewise entitled “That’s the Way I Like It”.

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