Mraz released his debut album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come in 2002. The tracks "The Remedy" and "You And I Both" became his first big hits the following year. His second album, Mr. A-Z, released in 2005, peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 200 and sold over one hundred thousand copies in the US. In 2008, Mraz released his third studio album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 was a commercial success worldwide, peaking in the top ten of many international charts.
In April 2012 Mraz released his fourth studio album, Love is a Four Letter Word. The album was received with favourable reviews and debuted at number two on both the Billboard 200 and UK Album Charts. The album sold 102,000 copies in it's first week in the US, his best sales week to date.
Mraz’s international breakthrough came with the release of lead single from We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. titled “I’m Yours”. The single peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Mraz his first top ten single. The song was a huge commercial success in the US with it receiving a triple-Platinum certification from the RIAA for sales of over three million. The song was successful internationally and topped the charts in New Zealand and Norway and peaking in the top ten of multiple international charts.
Mraz was engaged to singer/songwriter and long-time close friend Tristan Prettyman. On June 7, 2011, Mraz said in an interview with the Daily Beast that he and Prettyman were no longer engaged.
Mraz lives a health-conscious lifestyle and enjoys eating mostly raw vegan foods. He owns an avocado farm in Bonsall in Northern San Diego County.
Mudhouse / Gypsy MC
Jason Mraz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We ain't got no dope,
All I've got's my forty
Ain't got nobody, baby
That I can call my shorty.
I'd like to give a shout-out to all my VIPs
And individualize, cause I'm an MC
Because my family's here
Cause I-- cause I what?
Cause I-- cause I what?
Cause I appreciate the mentality of music
I'm saving all my sentences
Unless of course, I'm smoothly spoken.
Quiet type, the kind to watch out
Nomad of the clan, I'm perpetrating the scam, sure.
I'm the boy with the fallopian voice.
Straight from the sleeve of any wizard of choice.
I got the reason to be roaming out the coverage area
Send me the bill if all my loving is scaring you
Dare you to dream the way that I believe
I got the skill to go commando in any fatigues
I got the best damn band in the music scene.
But I can also flow solo or just let it be,
Because, of the love,
Oh the self-realization is your 'if' 'and' and 'what'
But you've gotta know your name before you play at the game
Keep a level-headed check on your health and stay sane.
Adjust the tack on the track
The needle's on the record, prepared for playback
Say Jack,
Could I buy another vowel?
I need another clue
And I could also use a towel.
And how goes the medium tempo
Slaying all the teachers like the class of '84
And down low
You know my fidelity's gold
Well I would never hurt a fly with Adidas on,
I got control, I keep a clean toilet bowl
Two-thousand flushes blue and still going strong
Do I do what I do for the sake of the song
Coming through on the radio?
Naw, it's for you, this is proof
My own story's a spoof
I'll always be a Gypsy, I'll forever be aloof
And if you never get to liking me that's okay too
But you made it this far, so pay a toll at the booth.
Yes you made it this far, so pay a toll at the gate,
Yes you made it this far, now make some noise in this place,
I said we made it this far, now let's get back to the part that we sing:
(Chorus)
We ain't got no dope,
All I've got's my forty
Ain't got nobody, baby
That I can call my shorty.
True or false?
I can be a sensitive man
With sensible plans for the everyday woman
And I can keep you eating out the palm of my hand
Because the dope that we smoked was grown on my land
The words I burn, they don't come from a can
The movie in my mind will be the winner at Cannes
So take your chance
Apply for full or part-time romance
Cleverer the better, measure up to whatever
Cause it don't matter how tall
How fat or how small
Equal opportunities are open to all
The casting call line forms down the hall
All you need is ID that shows that you're legal
But people with egos, a freakshow, a syndrome,
You best not go,
You know I don't need those
If you got a problem that I really oughta read,
Then post it on the web, care of R-K-O-P.
It's easy like me but a bit less than cheesy
Go heavy on the melody and add a dash of pick
And if you can't stand the kitchen,
Get the hell out the heat,
To meet with the geek all you need is a heartbeat.
And to meet with the geek on the street
All you gotta do is know the words you sing
So everybody repeat this after me:
(Chorus)
We ain't got no dope,
All I've got's my forty
Ain't got nobody, baby
That I can call my shorty.
I'm type A Positive
And just the way I like it,
Right away I'm satisfied with my food before I try it
Can't deny it to save my life
I'm never lying
To brave this mic without the same thing twice
Is actually an act of staying up all night,
With the mood just right and the purchase of a flight
From the West Coast, to these Netherlands lights
It's Aurora Borealis's company that I'm tight with
Despite everything that you've heard
I'll admit that most are true
And I'll be keeping my word
And I will do the double-duty on the search for new verbs
And I'll report to work early to deliver the worm.
From the back, well-covered by my buddies of East
There ain't no way in hell that I will ever have to say 'please'
And breaking all the codes on the latest machines
I'll even let you download me for free.
(Chorus)
We ain't got no dope,
All I've got's my forty
Ain't got nobody, baby
That I can call my shorty.
The lyrics to Jason Mraz's "Mudhouse/Gypsy MC" showcase the rapper's appreciation for music and his skill as an individualistic MC. He shouts out to all his VIPs before individualizing each of them. Mraz highlights his affinity for music and saving sentences, displaying his passion for the craft. He encourages the listener to know their name before participating in the game and to maintain stable mental health. Mraz makes references to other musicians, claiming he has the best band in the music scene but can flow solo or "let it be."
He emphasizes the importance of self-realization in maintaining control and self-awareness, pointing out his fidelity and honesty, stating he would "never hurt a fly with Adidas on." Mraz talks about his status as a Gypsy, always remaining aloof despite his success, but ultimately pays tribute to his fans. He concludes the song with the chorus, "We ain't got no dope, All I've got's my forty, Ain't got nobody, baby, That I can call my shorty."
Overall, "Mudhouse/Gypsy MC" is a celebration of music and individuality. Mraz presents himself as an outsider who found success on his own terms while encouraging others to do the same.
Line by Line Meaning
We ain't got no dope,
We don't have any drugs to smoke or consume.
All I've got's my forty
The only thing I have with me is a bottle of alcohol.
Ain't got nobody, baby
That I can call my shorty.
I don't have a significant other that I can call my own.
I'd like to give a shout-out to all my VIPs
And individualize, cause I'm an MC
I can because I can
Because my family's here
Cause I-- cause I what?
Cause I appreciate the mentality of music
I would like to acknowledge all my important people and personalize my message because I am a rap artist. I can do what I do because of the support of my family. Why? Because I value the spirit of music.
I'm saving all my sentences
Unless of course, I'm smoothly spoken.
I'm conserving my words and only using them when necessary, unless I have a clever way to deliver them smoothly.
Quiet type, the kind to watch out
I'm a reserved person and you should be cautious around me.
Nomad of the clan, I'm perpetrating the scam, sure.
I'm a member of a group without a permanent home and I'm pulling off a deception.
I'm the boy with the fallopian voice.
I'm a man with a high-pitched voice.
Straight from the sleeve of any wizard of choice.
My words and style are so magical that they could have come from any brilliant artist's creativity.
I got the reason to be roaming out the coverage area
Send me the bill if all my loving is scaring you
I have a good reason to be outside of the network coverage area. If my actions or attitude are too overwhelming for you, you can bill me for it.
Dare you to dream the way that I believe
I got the skill to go commando in any fatigues
I challenge you to believe in yourself and your dreams as much as I do. I have the talent to join a military operation without wearing the uniform.
I got the best damn band in the music scene.
But I can also flow solo or just let it be,
Because, of the love,
I have the best musical ensemble around. However, I can also perform alone or just let the silence speak for itself. I do it all for the love of music.
Oh the self-realization is your 'if' 'and' and 'what'
But you've gotta know your name before you play at the game
Keep a level-headed check on your health and stay sane.
Realizing your own potential is the most important factor in achieving your goals. However, it's important to know yourself before getting into the game. Take care of your health and stay sane.
Adjust the tack on the track
The needle's on the record, prepared for playback
Say Jack,
Could I buy another vowel?
I need another clue
And I could also use a towel.
Get the track lined up to play properly. The needle is on the record, ready to play back the sound. Addressing someone named Jack, I ask to buy another vowel in a game of Wheel of Fortune. I need a new hint or clue in the game and also need a towel.
And how goes the medium tempo
Slaying all the teachers like the class of '84
How is the rhythm going at a moderate pace? I'm impressing everyone, including my teachers, like the class of '84.
And down low
You know my fidelity's gold
Well I would never hurt a fly with Adidas on,
On the down-low, you know that my faithfulness can be counted on. I would never intentionally harm anyone, even with my Adidas shoes on.
I got control, I keep a clean toilet bowl
Two-thousand flushes blue and still going strong
I am in control and make sure my bathroom is clean. My toilet bowl is so clean that I've used over 2,000 flushes and the blue cleaner is still active.
Do I do what I do for the sake of the song
Coming through on the radio?
Naw, it's for you, this is proof
My own story's a spoof
Do I create my music just for the sake of the art, or to get played on the radio? No, it's for you, the listener. My music is proof that I have a personal story to tell, but it's not all serious - it's mixed with humor and satire.
I'll always be a Gypsy, I'll forever be aloof
And if you never get to liking me that's okay too
But you made it this far, so pay a toll at the booth.
I will always be a free-spirited person and slightly detached from others. If you don't like me, it doesn't bother me. But if you have listened this far, please show your support by visiting my merchandise booth.
Yes you made it this far, so pay a toll at the gate,
Yes you made it this far, now make some noise in this place,
I said we made it this far, now let's get back to the part that we sing:
Congratulations, you've made it this far. Please pay the admission fee to enter the venue. You've come this far, so let's celebrate together. We've all made it to where we are now, so let's continue singing and have a good time.
True or false?
I can be a sensitive man
With sensible plans for the everyday woman
And I can keep you eating out the palm of my hand
Because the dope that we smoked was grown on my land
Can you tell if this is true or false? I have the ability to be a caring man with realistic goals for the average woman. I can easily persuade you to follow my lead because I grow my own marijuana.
The words I burn, they don't come from a can
The movie in my mind will be the winner at Cannes
So take your chance
Apply for full or part-time romance
I don't use pre-packaged phrases in my lyrics. The vision in my imagination could win at the Cannes Film Festival. Take a chance on me and apply for a full or part-time romance.
Cleverer the better, measure up to whatever
Cause it don't matter how tall
How fat or how small
Equal opportunities are open to all
The casting call line forms down the hall
All you need is ID that shows that you're legal
The more intelligent and quick-witted you are, the better. No matter your height, weight, or size, everyone has equal opportunities. The casting call line stretches down the hallway. You just need identification proving your legal age.
But people with egos, a freakshow, a syndrome,
You best not go,
You know I don't need those
If you got a problem that I really oughta read,
Then post it on the web, care of R-K-O-P.
If you have a big ego, a strange personality, or any disorder, stay away. I don't need people like that in my life. If you have an issue you think I should address, post it online and I will see it.
It's easy like me but a bit less than cheesy
Go heavy on the melody and add a dash of pick
And if you can't stand the kitchen,
Get the hell out the heat,
To meet with the geek all you need is a heartbeat.
The music I make is easy and not too cheesy. Focus on the melody and add some guitar strumming. If you can't handle the pressure, don't get involved. Anyone with a heartbeat can meet with the other music enthusiasts.
And to meet with the geek on the street
All you gotta do is know the words you sing
So everybody repeat this after me:
I'm type A Positive
And just the way I like it,
Right away I'm satisfied with my food before I try it
Can't deny it to save my life
I'm never lying
To meet other music fans, you just need to know the lyrics to the songs we sing. Repeat after me: 'I'm type A Positive and like it that way. I judge a meal before I even try it and I never lie.'
To brave this mic without the same thing twice
Is actually an act of staying up all night,
With the mood just right and the purchase of a flight
From the West Coast, to these Netherlands lights
It's Aurora Borealis's company that I'm tight with
To perform on stage without repeating myself takes a lot of effort. I stay up all night with the proper mood in order to create an unforgettable show. I traveled from the West Coast to the Netherlands, and I'm good friends with Aurora Borealis.
Despite everything that you've heard
I'll admit that most are true
And I'll be keeping my word
And I will do the double-duty on the search for new verbs
And I'll report to work early to deliver the worm.
Despite popular belief, most of the rumors about me are true. I will keep my promises and even search for new words to improve my art. I make sure to show up to work early to deliver my best performance.
From the back, well-covered by my buddies of East
There ain't no way in hell that I will ever have to say 'please'
And breaking all the codes on the latest machines
I'll even let you download me for free.
My friends from the East cover my back and I will never have to beg for help. I break all the codes on the newest technology, and I'll even let you download my music for free.
Contributed by Aaliyah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
StoneBTH
Unbelievable. This guy just keeps getting better and better. Amazing rap flow with jazzy guitar and the usual great Mraz vocals. 35 dislikes must be tone deaf.
sk
songs from the "casa nova sessions" are also great! do you know them.
I almost only listen to live songs of mr. Mraz.
His lyrics are so awesome, uplifting and funny.
I had a ticket to a show of him beginning of this year, but it got canceled 😑
Kara Goodall
@swag child Old Mraz Is The Best Mraz.
StoneBTH
I think it was off the bonus tracks from the 2008 album "We sing, we dance, we steal things"... I just never really sat and appreciated it until recently. This live informal performance is incredible... and the lyric mistake makes it that much better.
ephemeral connection
this song was written more then a decade ago
diamaresa strom
Jason is great! Only thing missing is more of Bob Schneider in this song!
Antonio Brown
All the way in 2019 and still love this video and song. Keep doing yor thang Jason Mraz love you always
scittl
why is he so amazing? I can't stop listening to his music. He's even better live. I just love him.
Beata Fabova
This is just great! Love it ♥
pennetje1
Wat een geweldige song! Word er zo vrolijk van ! Love it.