Watch Bruce Hornsby Perform Stirring ‘The Way It Is’ With BBC Concert Orchestra

The renowned keyboardist was also accompanied by the orchestra on “Cast-Off” and “The End Of The Innocence” in the Piano Room.

By Scott Bernstein Feb 1, 2024 11:36 am PST

Acclaimed keyboardist Bruce Hornsby recently swung by Maida Vale Studios in London for an appearance with the BBC Concert Orchestra on BBC Radio 2’s “Piano Room.” BBC rolled out video of Hornsby leading the orchestra on a symphonic version of “The Way It Is” from the session.

Bruce Hornsby and the BBC Concert Orchestra performed three songs to kick off Piano Room Month 2024 on Monday, January 29. After “The Way It Is” opened, the Grammy-winning artist delivered “Cast-Off,” which he wrote with Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon. The song was released on Hornsby’s Absolute Zero album in 2019. Bruce then spoke with host Vernon Kay ahead of the Don Henley co-penned “The End Of The Innocence” to close.

Advertisement

The Williamsburg, Virginia-based musician wrote “The Way It Is” to address economic inequality and the racial divide. Bruce Hornsby & The Range originally issued the song as the title track of their 1986 debut studio album. Hornsby and his former band had a hit with “The Way It Is,” which was famously sampled by rapper Tupac in “Changes.”

Richard Balcombe arranged “The Way It Is,” “Cast-Off” and “The End Of The Innocence” for the BBC Concert Orchestra. Bruce Hornsby joined Goose on the former at the Goosemas 2023 finale held at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia on December 9, 2023.

Stream the full set via bbc.co.uk and watch “The Way It Is” below:


00:00:00
BBC Music (See 2,738 videos)
Bruce Hornsby (See 83 videos)

Loading tour dates

JamBase Collections