That's Old Fashioned (That's the Way Love Should Be)

The song presents a speaker who is happy with a gentle, traditional kind of romance. Other people call these habits old-fashioned, but the speaker sees them as sincere and enjoyable. The feeling grows from shared dates and small pleasures to a clear promise of lasting commitment: the speaker imagines marrying the person they love.

Several images make this romance feel simple and personal. Holding hands at the movies and walking beneath the moon suggest familiar, tender dates. Carving initials into an oak tree symbolizes wanting love to last, while sitting together in an ice cream parlor and dancing to a favorite song shows how ordinary moments can feel special. The phrase “old fashioned” is not used as an insult here; the speaker proudly reclaims it to mean faithful and devoted.

The song contrasts a “modern changing world” that moves fast with a slower approach to love. The speaker’s preference for loving only one person is presented as a choice, not as a rule everyone must follow. The ending sounds confident about marriage, though it describes a plan rather than showing what happens next. Overall, the lyrics celebrate steady affection, while leaving room for listeners to decide whether these customs feel sweet, idealized, or simply right for this couple.