The song opens with muted electric guitar and delicate fiddle, creating space for Shires’ voice—simultaneously intimate and resolute. A lyric like
> “Spent a year looking inward and healing… I felt my heart sprouting feathers”
reveals both vulnerability and growth, an emotional core shaped by the wreckage she mentions: *“Nobody’s Girl is what came after the wreckage, the silence, the rebuilding”*[1][2].
Produced with Lawrence Rothman in Nashville and Los Angeles, the sound blends quiet reflection with subtle expansiveness—Shires on fiddle, tenor guitar, and ukulele, backed by a roster of veteran session musicians. It’s both soft and spacious, honoring her Americana roots while charting new terrain[3].
The Taylor G. Kelly–directed video visually echoes the song’s emotional landscape. Set against dusty Nashville streets and sunrise-lit scenery, it complements the simmering tension without overshadowing the performance[1]. Reddit shares from fans describe it as “really love this song,” marking a strong positive split among indie listeners[4].
Final Verdict:
“A Way It Goes” is Amanda Shires at her most reflective yet determined—proof that healing can be powerful, not just quiet. It’s a rich, layered comeback, equally thoughtful and assured, and a strong opener for *Nobody’s Girl*.
Sources:
- Pulse of Radio via 99.7 The Wolf — album announcement, video credit, and “wreckage” quote.
- BrooklynVegan — discusses origin post-divorce, producer, and recording locations.
- Stereogum — mentions Rothman production details and multi-instrumentalism.
- Reddit /r/indieheads — fan reaction: “really love this song.”
