It Has To Be This Way is Senator Steven Armstrong's final boss theme in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
The lyrics cover the personal admission, almost an apology, that the singer and their opponent have to fight against each other, even though there's little fault of their own or even any real reason for fighting, as violence begets violence. It can be interpreted as Armstrong and/or Raiden coming to recognize the similarities between their personal philosophies - similarities that allow them to understand each other's motivations, but which also force them to battle to the death.
It Has To Be This Way may also be interpreted as the true theme of Samuel Rodrigues for various reasons. The song heavily emphasizes it's from the point of view of Samuel and his fight with Raiden during their final battle in the desert. His realization that only one of them can survive the encounter and change the future of the United States is clear in the lyrics "I feel new life will be born/Beneath the blood stained sand", and shows that no matter the outcome, Samuel is sure his battle with Raiden with end with change. Raiden also wields Samuel's sword during his battle with Armstrong, which may also support this theory.
Because of this, the song that plays during Samuel Rodrigues' fight, The Only Thing I Know For Real, may be also interpreted as Raiden's Theme.
The instrumental version of the song is a new composition, variation and mix of "Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Main Theme" (from minutes 2:00 to 2:40) and the "Metal Gear Solid Main Theme ." Also, few seconds of "Red Sun" at the beginning, few seconds of track number 26 (Rising Action 3) and track 29 (Open Frontier) from the same disc too, from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Soundtrack with several excerpts closing the song.
A lyricless version also acted as the overworld theme for the Shabhazabad Air Base in Pakistan in R-07.
Lyrics[]
Standing here
I realize
You are just like me
Trying to make history
But who’s to judge
The right from wrong
When our guard is down
I think we’ll both agree
That violence breeds violence
But in the end it has to be this way
I’ve carved my own path
You followed your wrath
But maybe we’re both the same
The world has turned
And so many have burned
But nobody is to blame
Yet staring across this barren wasted land
I feel new life will be born
Beneath the blood stained sand
Beneath the blood stained sand
Official lyrics from Platinum Games
Credits and original composition[]
Written by: Logan Mader & Jamie Christopherson
Lyrics by: Logan Mader & Jamie Christopherson
Recorded by: Logan Mader
Produced by: Logan Mader & Jamie Christopherson
Mixed by: Logan Mader
Remixed by: Akira Takizawa & Pete Crossman
Vocals: Jimmy Gnecco
Guitars: Johnny Death & Logan Mader
Drums: Ralph Alexander
Bass: Logan Mader
Programming: Logan Mader & Jamie Christopherson