"How’s It Going to Be" is an emotional track that carries the unmistakable melodic signature of Third Eye Blind. Released in November 1997 as the third single from their self-titled debut album. It’s got that late-'90s alternative rock vibe, but it’s also deeply introspective. It’s an emotional piece wrapped up in a catchy melody. Kevin Cadogan, the band’s guitarist, was noodling around with an auto harp, upon hearing it, inspired Stephan Jenkins to write this song, stirring up all these nostalgic and emotional vibes. Jenkins has talked about how the song reflects the fear of losing intimacy with someone you once knew inside and out. Think about that for a second. You're close with someone, you share everything, and then one day, you’re strangers. That’s heavy. In Jenkins’ own words from an interview, “It’s emotional side of mortality.” It’s not just heartbreak; it’s the fear of fading into nothingness with someone who used to mean everything. The music video for "How’s It Going to Be" has a memorable and grounded narrative. It begins with the band waiting outside an office building. When the girlfriend shows up, they launch into a heartfelt performance right in front of her workplace. The raw emotion in their music creates a striking contrast with the mundane office setting. Eventually, security gets involved, adding a layer of tension to the video. This simple yet impactful storyline perfectly matches the song’s themes of longing and emotional disconnection. "How’s It Going to Be" was a hit. It climbed to number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became the band’s second top-ten single. That’s no small feat in the late '90s especially with the sheer volume of alternative rock bands vying for attention. People connected with the song because it wasn’t just another breakup anthem; it was about the fear of becoming irrelevant to someone you loved. Third Eye Blind was on fire during the 90s. Songs like this didn’t just play on MTV; they became part of the cultural fabric. "How’s It Going to Be" is catchy, relatable, and devastatingly honest. Even today, it feels fresh. The fear of losing someone, of becoming strangers—that’s universal. That’s what makes the song timeless.
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