Dream Life Of Rand Mcnally
Jason Mraz Lyrics


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Who is he, Mr. Rand McNally?
I had I dream that mystery was me. Now who else could I be?

I dreamed I went to England and met the spice girls there for tea
They lost one more they're down from four to my favorite number three
But they're still quite spicy as the orange flavor
And oh so nice to do me the favor and lick my icing under the table now
But I gotta leave town mr. Nally, just as scary spice was about to go down on me
And don't ask how mr. Nally and give up the towel mr. Nally and run.

I dreamed I went to Singapore got bored and robbed a liquor store
What for? Nobody knows I only took a couple of Marlboros
Oh but that was all they needed and the criminal was soon defeated
And now in jail I'm waiting for my punishment of caining
So I gotta think fast mr nally watch your ass, wake up and laugh and run

Better Mr run, mr rand, mr mac, mr nally
Mr run, mr man, you got the knack for the rally And run.

I had a chance to visit the north pole but it was way too cold to smoke
Oh my nose was freezing I should could use some coughing and wheezing
So I tried it anyway and the place went up in flames
How was I suppose to know you could catch fire to the snow
Oh lord way to go mr nally, way to go, now you're melting the poles mr nally so run.

I jumped ship in NYC and headed south to Washington DC
Didn't think I'd go there but played some shows there fancy lucky me
But it is really slow there with our new president on TV
Too many politicians and liberal Christians they're all set out for me
Singing cast your vote mr nally, castrate your vote, no you don't, just run

I thumbed a ride across the prairie, I got hitched in Vegas, yep, I got married
To a lady who loved me she thought it's be funny to gamble all my money
And I got stranded without my clothes, a little bit of fear and loathing heart attack
I got chased by the rat pack once in a flashback. Singing viva Las Vegas.

I settled down in San Diego and smoked a joint with java joe
And with a grin he took me in spilling coffee on his chin
And I played my show there and I met my bros there
And with my throw pillow they kindly let me make my bed there
There's one more thing before I go there's never been any place like this home





For once in a lifetime maybe I'd be foolish not to stay

Overall Meaning

In Jason Mraz's song Dream Life Of Rand McNally, he poses a question about the identity of the titular character, wondering who he is, as if Rand McNally were a person embodying a spirit of adventure and exploration, similar to that of Robinson Crusoe. Mraz then reveals that he had a dream where he was Rand McNally, a person who has seen and experienced all there is to see in the world, and who has had encounters with famous individuals like the Spice Girls. The lyrics go on to describe a series of dreamlike events that Rand McNally experienced, jumping from country to country and experiencing both highs and lows.


The song is a reflection of the human need for adventure and exploring possible outlets that one has access to. The character of Rand McNally symbolizes the curious spirit of an individual yearning to discover as much as they can, with Mraz driving the point home through his lyrics. There are accompanying themes of uncertainty, as seen in the lines, "But they're still quite spicy as the orange flavor / And oh so nice to do me the favor and lick my icing under the table now / But I gotta leave town mr. Nally, just as scary spice was about to go down on me," where Mraz's portrayal of the situation paints an image of being caught off guard and needing to leave as a form of escape.


Line by Line Meaning

Who is he, Mr. Rand McNally?
The singer wonders about the identity of Mr. Rand McNally, likely a metaphorical figure for someone who is well-traveled or wise.


I had I dream that mystery was me. Now who else could I be?
The singer has had a dream where they themselves are the mystery figure, suggesting a strong sense of individuality and self-discovery.


I dreamed I went to England and met the spice girls there for tea
The singer dreams of having a meeting with the Spice Girls, potentially representing a desire to interact with popular or powerful icons.


They lost one more they're down from four to my favorite number three
The group of Spice Girls is reduced by one member, but the remaining three are still of interest or importance to the artist.


But they're still quite spicy as the orange flavor
The three remaining Spice Girls are still enjoyable or entertaining to the artist, likely due to their energetic personalities or exciting music.


And oh so nice to do me the favor and lick my icing under the table now
The singer is imagining a sexual encounter with the Spice Girls, or perhaps the idea of being actively pursued by women in general.


But I gotta leave town mr. Nally, just as scary spice was about to go down on me
The fantasy becomes uncomfortable or fear-inducing for the singer, leading them to feel the need to leave the situation and perhaps regroup.


And don't ask how mr. Nally and give up the towel mr. Nally and run.
The artist is talking to Mr. Rand McNally, telling him to stay alert and always be prepared to change course or avoid danger.


I dreamed I went to Singapore got bored and robbed a liquor store
The artist dreams of engaging in a petty theft, perhaps motivated by boredom or a lack of purpose.


What for? Nobody knows I only took a couple of Marlboros
The heist was seemingly pointless and did not yield any significant gain or reward for the artist.


Oh but that was all they needed and the criminal was soon defeated
The theft was quickly stopped or prevented by the authorities, suggesting that the singer was not a skilled or successful criminal.


And now in jail I'm waiting for my punishment of caining
The artist has been apprehended and is anticipating a harsh physical punishment for their actions.


So I gotta think fast mr nally watch your ass, wake up and laugh and run
The singer is again warning Mr. Rand McNally to be aware of danger and to always be ready to flee if necessary.


Better Mr run, mr rand, mr mac, mr nally
The singer is urging Mr. Rand McNally to keep running and to not let obstacles or setbacks hold him back.


Mr run, mr man, you got the knack for the rally And run.
The repeated calls to run suggest a strong sense of urgency and momentum, as if the singer is always on the move and looking for new experiences.


I had a chance to visit the north pole but it was way too cold to smoke
The artist had an opportunity to visit an exotic or remote location, but the inhospitable environment made it difficult or unpleasant to enjoy certain activities.


Oh my nose was freezing I should could use some coughing and wheezing
The artist's experience at the north pole was uncomfortable and possibly even painful, marked by difficulty breathing and discomfort in their extremities.


So I tried it anyway and the place went up in flames
Despite the difficulties of their situation, the singer takes risks and follows their curiosity, leading to a potential disaster or mishap.


How was I suppose to know you could catch fire to the snow
The singer is surprised or confused by the outcome of their actions, highlighting their lack of foresight or critical thinking.


Oh lord way to go mr nally, way to go, now you're melting the poles mr nally so run.
The artist again directs Mr. Rand McNally to stay alert and avoid damaging or dangerous situations.


I jumped ship in NYC and headed south to Washington DC
The artist departs from a situation or environment, leaving behind a sense of familiarity or comfort.


Didn't think I'd go there but played some shows there fancy lucky me
Despite not planning to visit Washington DC, the artist performs some shows in the area and seems to enjoy the experience.


But it is really slow there with our new president on TV
The singer is critical of the current political climate, which may be inhibiting their creativity or sense of freedom.


Too many politicians and liberal Christians they're all set out for me
The artist feels oppressed or targeted by certain groups, suggesting a sense of opposition to authority or mainstream values.


Singing cast your vote mr nally, castrate your vote, no you don't, just run
The singer uses the act of voting as a metaphor for taking action or making a change, but then quickly dismisses it as futile or unnecessary.


I thumbed a ride across the prairie, I got hitched in Vegas, yep, I got married
The singer recounts a series of adventures or experiences, including a marriage that seems to have been impulsive and reckless.


To a lady who loved me she thought it's be funny to gamble all my money
The singer's spouse or partner is portrayed as irresponsible or insensitive, taking advantage of their emotions and potentially causing financial stress or hardship.


And I got stranded without my clothes, a little bit of fear and loathing heart attack
The artist has been left vulnerable or exposed by their partner's actions, leading to feelings of panic or anxiety.


I got chased by the rat pack once in a flashback. Singing viva Las Vegas.
The artist remembers a time when they were pursued or threatened by a powerful group, using the lyrics of a famous song to illustrate their experience.


I settled down in San Diego and smoked a joint with java joe
The singer finds a sense of peace or stability in San Diego, perhaps after a series of chaotic or challenging experiences.


And with a grin he took me in spilling coffee on his chin
The singer finds a sense of camaraderie or friendship with Java Joe, who is portrayed as a warm and friendly person.


And I played my show there and I met my bros there
The artist seems to have found a sense of belonging or purpose in San Diego, potentially through performing music and making friends.


And with my throw pillow they kindly let me make my bed there
The artist is welcomed into a community or group, finding comfort and hospitality in the space they are given to rest.


There's one more thing before I go there's never been any place like this home
The artist reflects on the many experiences they have had, suggesting that they have found a sense of home or belonging in their life's journey.


For once in a lifetime maybe I'd be foolish not to stay
The singer recognizes the value of their current situation and suggests that they may want to stay where they are, rather than continuing to search for new experiences.




Lyrics © GOO EYED MUSIC
Written by: JASON THOMAS MRAZ

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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