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.
Song For A Friend
Jason Mraz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But don't let it all go to your head
'Cause I bet if you all had it all figured out
Then you'd never get out of bed
Well, no doubt
Of all the thing's that I've read what he wrote me
It's now sounding like the man I was hoping
To be
'Cause it keeps getting easier he'll see
He's the reason that I'm laughing
Even if there's no one else
He said, you've got to love yourself
You say, you shouldn't mumble when you speak
But keep your tongue up in your cheek
And if you stumble on to something better
Remember that it's humble that you seek
You got all the skill you need
Individuality
You got something
They call it gumption
They call it anything you want
Because when you play the fool now
You're only fooling everyone else
You're learning to love yourself
Yes you are, you are, yes you, you, you
And there's no price to pay, no, no
When you're givin' what you take
That's why it's easy to thank you
You, you
You, you, you
Let's say you take a break from our day
And gettin' back to the old garage
Because life's too short anyway
But at least it's better then average
As long as you got me
And I got yo, you know we'll got a lot to go around
I'll be your friend, your other brother
Another love to come and comfort you
And I'll keep reminding
If it's the only thing I ever do
I will always love you
You, you, you
You
(It's true my love, it's true, it's you I love, it's you I love, it's you, it's you I love)
(It's true my love, it's true, my love, it's true, it's you I love)
(It's you I love, it's you I love, it's you, it's you I love)
Oh, it's you I love
(It's you I love, it's you I love, it's you, it's you I love)
(It's true my love, it's true, my love, it's true, it's you I love)
(It's you I love, it's you I love, it's you, it's you I love) (it's you I love, I love, I love)
It's you I love, I love, I love
It's you I love, I love, I love
It's you I love, I love, I love
Climb up over the top
Survey the state of the soul
You've got to find out for yourself whether or not you're truly trying
Why not give it a shot?
Shake it, take control, inevitably wind up
Find out for yourself all the strengths you have inside still rising
Climb up over the top
Survey the state of the soul
You've got to find out for yourself whether or not you're truly trying
Why not give it a shot?
Shake it, take control, inevitably wind up
Find out for yourself all the strengths you have inside still rising
Climb up over the top
Survey the state of the soul
You've got to find out for yourself whether or not you're truly trying
(Why not give it a shot?) Oh, it's you I love
(Shake it, take control, inevitably wind up) Oh it's you I love
(Find out for yourself all the strengths you have inside still rising)
Climb up over the top
Survey the state of the soul
You've got to find out for yourself whether or not you're truly trying
Why not give it a shot?
Shake it, take control and inevitably wind up
And find out for yourself all the strengths that you have inside of you
In Jason Mraz's Song For A Friend, the lyrics talk about the importance of self-love and acceptance. The singer acknowledges the magic in their friend but advises them not to let it go to their head because figuring everything out would make it difficult to leave their bed. The singer explains that they keep it real because it just keeps getting easier; their friend is the reason they are happy even when there is no one else around. They encourage their friend to love themselves, mumble when they speak, and keep their tongue in their cheek even when they stumble upon something better because humility is necessary. The singer recognizes the friend's gumption and individuality; they have everything they need and are learning to love themselves.
The friend is encouraged to take a break from daily life and go back to the old garage because life is too short. They have someone who will always love them, who will remind them to find the strength inside to keep rising. The lyrics suggest that one must survey the state of their soul and find out whether they are truly trying; giving it a shot and taking control with strength will eventually lead to finding their true self.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you're magic he said
Your friend thinks highly of you and your abilities.
But don't let it all go to your head
Your friend cautions you not to let your talent inflate your ego.
'Cause I bet if you all had it all figured out
If we knew everything, we wouldn't have a reason to continue trying.
Then you'd never get out of bed
We need to be challenged to get up and face the day.
Well, no doubt
Certainly, without a doubt.
Of all the thing's that I've read what he wrote me
Your friend encouraged you with what he wrote or said to you.
It's now sounding like the man I was hoping
Your friend inspires you to be a better person.
To be
To become who you want to be, inspired by your friend.
I keep on keeping it real
You keep things true, honest, and authentic.
'Cause it keeps getting easier he'll see
The more you keep things real, the easier it becomes to live life.
He's the reason that I'm laughing
Your friend brings happiness in your life.
Even if there's no one else
Your friend is enough to make you happy.
He said, you've got to love yourself
Your friend reminds you that self-love is important.
You say, you shouldn't mumble when you speak
Your friend gives you advice on how to communicate effectively.
But keep your tongue up in your cheek
Your friend advises you to add humor and wit to your conversations.
And if you stumble on to something better
If you discover something great, embrace it fully.
Remember that it's humble that you seek
Stay humble and grateful even in the face of success.
You got all the skill you need
You have all the tools necessary to succeed.
Individuality
Embrace and celebrate your unique qualities and traits.
You got something
You possess something special within yourself.
They call it gumption
Your unique quality that sets you apart is referred to as gumption.
They call it anything you want
Your special quality may have different names or interpretations.
Because when you play the fool now
When you act foolish, it reflects badly on you.
You're only fooling everyone else
No one else is buying your act of foolishness.
You're learning to love yourself
Through the process of self-discovery, you are learning to love yourself.
And there's no price to pay, no, no
There is no negative consequence for loving yourself.
When you're givin' what you take
When you give love, you receive love in return.
That's why it's easy to thank you
You are grateful because it is easy to be thankful for what you receive.
Let's say you take a break from our day
Take a break from life's stress and worries.
And gettin' back to the old garage
Spend time doing things you love and enjoy.
Because life's too short anyway
Life is brief, so live it fully and joyfully.
But at least it's better then average
Even if life is not perfect, it is still enjoyable.
As long as you got me
As long as you have your friend, you will be ok.
And I got yo, you know we'll got a lot to go around
Your friendship is valuable and there is plenty to share.
I'll be your friend, your other brother
Your friend will be there for you, like a sibling.
Another love to come and comfort you
Your friend's love will always be there to comfort and support you.
And I'll keep reminding
Your friend will continue to encourage you.
If it's the only thing I ever do
Reminding and encouraging you will be the most important thing your friend does.
I will always love you
Your friend will always love and support you.
Climb up over the top
Overcome challenges and obstacles.
Survey the state of the soul
Understand your innermost self.
You've got to find out for yourself whether or not you're truly trying
You must determine if you are truly doing your best.
Why not give it a shot?
Take a chance and try your hardest.
Shake it, take control, inevitably wind up
Take charge of your life and choose your own path.
Find out for yourself all the strengths you have inside still rising
Realize and utilize the many strengths you possess within yourself.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Goo-Eyed Music, Fintage House Publishing
Written by: Dan Wilson, Dennis Morris, Eric Hinojosa, Jason Mraz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind