How The Story Goes stands as a defining track from REO Speedwagon's early catalog, appearing on their 1972 album R.E.O. / T.W.O. During this period, the band was refining a sound that blended hard rock with melodic sensibilities, setting the stage for their later commercial dominance. The recording captures the group's energetic performance style and Kevin Cronin's emerging songwriting voice before they achieved widespread mainstream success. As part of their formative discography, the song exemplifies the band's transition from regional favorites to a nationally recognized act. It remains a significant song in their body of work, showcasing the raw power and harmonic depth that would characterize their subsequent evolution in the rock genre.