Love for a Child
Jason Mraz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looks like Jesus and his friends involved
There's a party getting started in the yard
There's a couple getting steamy in the car parked in the drive
Was I too young to see this with my eyes?
By the pool last night, apparently
The chemicals weren't mixed properlyYou hit your head and then forgot your name
And then you woke up at the bottom by the drain
And now your altitude and memory's a shame
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of innocence
I haven't had enough, it's probably because when you're young
It's okay to be easily ignored
I like to believe it was all about love for a child
And when the house was left in shambles
Who was there to handle all the broken bits of glass
Was it mom who put my dad out on his ass or the other way around
Well I'm far too old to care about that now
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of innocence
I haven't had enough, it's probably because when you're young
It's okay to be easily ignored
I like to believe it was all about love for a child
It's kinda nice to work the floor since the divorce
I've been enjoying both my Christmases and my birthday cakes
And taking drugs and making love at far too young an age
And they never check to see my grades
What a fool I'd be to start complaining now
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of innocence
I haven't had enough, it's probably because when you're young
It's okay to be easily ignored
I like to believe it was all about love for a child
It was all about love
The song "Love For A Child" by Jason Mraz is a nostalgic and reflective piece that portrays the singer's childhood and the events that shaped him into the person he is now. The first verse talks about the various occurrences that took place in his surroundings as a child, such as the picture of Jesus and his friends on the kitchen wall, the party in the yard, and a couple being intimate in the parked car. The singer seems to question whether he was too young to comprehend these situations. He talks about a pool incident where someone hit their head and lost their memory, which makes him remember the days when they were innocent and carefree.
The chorus, "What about taking this empty cup and filling it up with a little bit more of innocence, I haven't had enough, it's probably because when you're young it's okay to be easily ignored, I like to believe it was all about love for a child" emphasizes the longing for the purity and innocence of childhood. The singer acknowledges that as children, they were often ignored, yet the singer holds on to the belief that everything that happened to them was out of love.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on the aftermath of his parent's divorce and the damage it caused to their family. He talks about how he had to grow up quickly and handle the broken mess, but he is now far too old to care about whose fault it was. The final verse discusses the singer's current state of life and how they are enjoying the freedom of adulthood after having experienced drugs and love at a young age. The singer acknowledges that they are too late to start complaining about being ignored, and he concludes that it was all about love for a child.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a picture on my kitchen wall
There is a photo hanging on the wall of my kitchen
Looks like Jesus and his friends involved
The picture appears to depict Jesus and his companions
There's a party getting started in the yard
People are beginning to have a gathering outside in the yard
There's a couple getting steamy in the car parked in the drive
A pair of people is making out in an automobile in the driveway
Was I too young to see this with my eyes?
I was probably too young to witness these events
By the pool last night, apparently
It appears that something occurred by the pool last night
The chemicals weren't mixed properly
The substances in the pool were not blended accurately
You hit your head and then forgot your name
You collided with something and lost consciousness
And then you woke up at the bottom by the drain
You regained consciousness, and you were by the drain at the bottom of the pool
And now your altitude and memory's a shame
Your mental and physical states have been impaired
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
What if we took this unoccupied vessel and filled it further
With a little bit more of innocence
With a tiny bit of purity
I haven't had enough, it's probably because when you're young
I haven't had my fill likely due to my youth
It's okay to be easily ignored
It's acceptable to be overlooked quickly
I like to believe it was all about love for a child
I prefer to think that it was all about adoration for a youngster
And when the house was left in shambles
When the house was left in disarray
Who was there to handle all the broken bits of glass
Who was present to manage all the shards of shattered material
Was it mom who put my dad out on his ass or the other way around
Did my mother kick my father out or vice versa
Well I'm far too old to care about that now
Well, I'm much too aged to concern myself with that presently
It's kinda nice to work the floor since the divorce
It is somewhat pleasant to toil on the ground following the termination of my relationship
I've been enjoying both my Christmases and my birthday cakes
I've taken pleasure in both my Christmas celebrations and birthday cakes
And taking drugs and making love at far too young an age
And engaging in drug use and sexual activity at an excessively youthful age
And they never check to see my grades
And they never examine my academic scores
What a fool I'd be to start complaining now
It would be unwise of me to begin griping at the moment
It was all about love
It was primarily a matter of affection
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Word Collections Publishing, Goo-Eyed Music
Written by: Sacha Skarbek, Jason Thomas Mraz, Martin Terefe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hannahwest5294
There′s a picture on my kitchen wall
Looks like Jesus and his friends involved
There′s a party getting started in the yard
There′s a couple getting steamy
in the car parked in the drive
was i too young to see this with my eyes
By the pool last night, apparently
The chemicals weren′t mixed properly
You hit your head and then forgot your name
And then you woke up at the bottom by the drain
And now your altitude and memory′s a shame
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of some innocence
I haven′t had enough, it′s probably
because when you′re young
It′s okay to be easily ignored
I like to believe it′s all about love for a child
And when the house was left in shambles
Who was there to handle
all the broken bits of glass
Was it mom who put my dad out on the deck
or the other way around
Well I′m far too old to care about that now
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of some innocence
I haven′t had enough, it′s probably
because when you′re young
It′s okay to be easily ignored
I′d love to believe it′s all about love for a child
It′s kinda nice to work the floor since the divorce
I′ve been enjoying both my Christmases
and my birthday cakes
And taking drugs
and making love at far too young an age
But they never check to see my grades
What a fool I′d be to start complaining now
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of some innocence
I haven′t had enough, it′s probably
because when you′re young
It′s okay to be easily ignored
I′d like to believe it′s all about love for a child
It was all about love...
@kirakuma
To be honest, Jason Mraz isn't my normal cup of tea, but the first time I really, really listened to the lyrics to this song, I teared up a bit. When I was a kid, I used to always complain that my parents were so strict and overbearing, especially concerning my grades in school. But when I think about what it'd be like if they just completely ignored me instead, that would've been much worse. I love music that makes you feel something. That's why I like this song.
@adhityawisadha5206
When I was young kid, I keep thinking maybe that was real love, the best thing my parent could share, Yeah I’d love the idea it was love for a child... though , i only heard slamming door and the broken glass , huge mess in my kitchen and living room. Oh I have no living room, I guess cause it’s where my dad slept over the night.
I know how the feeling of this song is written
@firsttenor76
This song definitely puts me into tears when I hear it or sing it. It brings back a lot of emotions that I've held in. I basically had no innocence because of several instances that took away my innocence -- too much to explain here. And, my parents, well... my real mom hates my ass because I have big enough balls to acknowledge she's nuts. My real dad left me when I was 3. My step dad is the one who's kind to me. Figure that one out. With my son, I show him as much love as possible :)
@xLime00787x
this is my favorite of all of this songs i love it!!!
@jgar12988
I sooo love this song! Thanks Json Mraz for your songs!
@bassriorio
I oftenly played this song 11 years ago. When i started my job in printing company. My boss was very sucks...this song reminds me to him.
@freddielrf6835
😂😂
@VC-xj1fs
He's such a fantastic songwriter.
@MaloEdu
I got a goosebumps every time I hear this song... it feels so good and deep
@caquado
Wow this song reminds me of being on holiday last year as it was playing by the pool everyday. god the nostalgia!