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.
Strange
Jason Mraz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Very cool, very cool. I grew up in Virginia.
This is the closest Ive ever played to home, so
This is very very groovy. Lets see what happens.
Strange because I believe it is my future
Staring back at me
With eyes so light
Anything else than what they could see
Oh, they are colors
That collide and scope
My heart belongs into
Magnificent ever-changing patterns do
Im wide awake at the wheel
Its oh so crazy because I can see
It could be my presence
So pleasantly deprived
Ive never seen the explained prophecies
Or anything else it should be
Oh they are troubled
And disguised behind wise eyes and wise crackin smiles
Hypnotized behind a panel
On a thirty hour drive
Im not at all what I seem
But my intentions are practical inventions
Forgot to mention Im insane by definition
Were taking pictures on the paper
No escape, the morning after I outride the wave
But all in all, it's unlikely I'll succeed
Said, all in all, it's unlikely
But all in all, it's unlikely well succeed
All in all, I said, it's unlikely
But all in all, it's unlikely I'll succeed
Ive developed a lovely distaste for your heart on my sleeve, yeah
(scatting)
We keep it simple
Keep it clean
Keep repeating the words as often as you need
Oh, think, think
Blinks like a turning signal me to
Turn, turn away oh
From anything good, people say
Oh now, I will be selective, calm, cool and collective
And listening to the voice and it's perspective
Hoping that the choices, appropriately respected
Are protecting me, are protecting me
Hey, hey, protecting me, protecting me
And I would like a little sugar in my coffee
I would like a little dream
And I'd prefer another smoke before the morning
Or anything else in between
But all in all, it's unlikely I'll succeed
Said, all in all, it's unlikely
All in all, it's unlikely well succeed
All in all, I said, it's unlikely
But all in all, it's unlikely I'll succeed
Ive developed a lovely distaste for your wide open spaces
I sense a delay
Oh, brushing my mind and scrubbing behind all the places I feel there's decay
Of information
Away, I say run, boy
(scatting)
Oh, oh we keep it
So wicked and it's wild
Your past, your former style
Oh they can make believe in
Knowing why you're leaving
Youre just wanting to be on your own
I said, you're wanting to be on your own
Yeah, you wanted to be on your own
I said, you're wanting to be on your own
In Jason Mraz's song "Strange," he contemplates his future and how it reflects his past experiences. He finds it strange that his future seems clear and inevitable, represented by the colors and patterns he sees in his mind. He feels his intentions are practical and his inventions are well-conceived, even though he admits he may be considered insane. Despite the unlikelihood of succeeding, he aims to protect himself and make choices that will benefit him. He desires a simple life with a little sugar in his coffee, a little dream, and a few more cigarettes. The song ends on a note of independence, as he declares the desire to be on his own.
The lyrics of "Strange" demonstrate Jason Mraz's introspective and thoughtful nature, as he muses on complex themes such as the nature of success, the role of intention, and the connection between past and future. The song's combination of scatting and musical poetry creates a rhythm and flow that mimics the patterns and colors he describes, adding to its dreamlike quality.
Line by Line Meaning
Strange because I believe it is my future
I feel a strong sense that the future I envision for myself is strange and inexplicable.
Staring back at me
This future seems to be looking right at me, beckoning me to follow it.
With eyes so light
The future glimmers with promise, hope and unknown possibilities.
I never dreamed it could be anything else than what they could see
I always believed the world was exactly what it appeared to be, and never contemplated that there might be anything more beyond the surface level of reality.
Oh, they are colors That collide and scope
There is a beautiful chaos and complexity to the world, with different perspectives and experiences intersecting in fascinating ways.
My heart belongs into Magnificent ever-changing patterns do
My heart is filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the kaleidoscope of patterns and possibilities that exist around me.
I'm wide awake at the wheel
I am present and fully aware of my surroundings, navigating the uncertainty of my future with clarity and purpose.
It's oh so crazy because I can see It could be my presence So pleasantly deprived
I realize that my life has been lacking in certain ways, and this strange future I see is enticing me with the promise of something better.
Oh they are troubled And disguised behind wise eyes and wise crackin smiles
The people and situations in this future seem complex and uncertain, and it's difficult to tell who or what can be trusted.
Hypnotized behind a panel On a thirty hour drive
I feel trapped and powerless, like I am driving blindly towards an uncertain destination with no way to turn back.
I'm not at all what I seem But my intentions are practical inventions Forgot to mention I'm insane by definition
Despite appearances, I am full of ideas and intentions that might seem crazy or unconventional to others.
We're taking pictures on the paper No escape, the morning after I outride the wave
I feel like I am caught in a wave of events that I can't control or escape, and that the best I can do is document what's happening around me.
But all in all, it's unlikely I'll succeed
Despite my aspirations and sense of purpose, I am aware that success may not come easily or at all.
I've developed a lovely distaste for your heart on my sleeve
I have learned to guard my emotions more closely, after experiencing the pain of being too open and trusting in the past.
We keep it simple Keep it clean Keep repeating the words as often as you need
Sometimes the best way to cope with uncertainty and chaos is to stay focused on what is essential, and to keep reminding yourself of the things that matter most.
Oh, think, think Blinks like a turning signal me to Turn, turn away oh From anything good, people say
I am torn between the desire to follow my own path and the expectations of others, who may not understand or support my goals.
Oh now, I will be selective, calm, cool and collective And listening to the voice and it's perspective Hoping that the choices, appropriately respected Are protecting me, are protecting me
I am trying to stay calm and focused, listening to my own intuition and weighing the options before me in order to make the best decisions possible.
And I would like a little sugar in my coffee I would like a little dream And I'd prefer another smoke before the morning Or anything else in between
Even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, I still value the simple pleasures of life and the chance to relax and enjoy myself.
I sense a delay Oh, brushing my mind and scrubbing behind all the places I feel there's decay Of information Away, I say run, boy
Despite feeling uncertain and vulnerable, I know that I have to keep moving forward and pushing through any obstacles that arise.
Oh they can make believe in Knowing why you're leaving You're just wanting to be on your own I said, you're wanting to be on your own Yeah, you wanted to be on your own
Others may judge or misunderstand my choices and motivations, but ultimately I know what I want and need for myself, and that is to be independent and true to my own vision.
Contributed by Luke T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Luis Gartner
Every couple of months for the past 5-6 years i come back to this song, it feels like a room you can relax and get yourself together, maybe have a drink and forget about the outside for a little while.
Hoping a pleasant enough future for you all.
Ngọc Đinh Hồng
cheer
Plottoberry
One of the first songs I heard by Jason. I ALWAYS sing along, but it's so hard. He goes up and down with his voice.
OhJustCommenting
I'll always love your music Jason. :)
Meduteja
Love jason mraz <3 He never writes bad songs
gsummer14
luv how this song opens up it just pulls me into the song!
Abraham Mayorga
The song that got me hooked to Jason was "prettiest friend" ever since I heard that song I've been his biggest fan. this song lies within my favorites
Brian Dang
Been listening to it since 2011, I have finally mastered the whole song playing and singing!!!!!!@@
alejandro ariel reyes martinez
Do a tutorial jajaja
Karandeep Jhand
This is my favourite, please why does this not have more views we must share the joy, the happiness and the AWEOSMENESSS of Jason Mraz :) I love this guy