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.
The Remedy
Jason Mraz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And behind closed eyes, I cannot make them go away
'Cause you were born on the fourth of july, freedom ring
Well, something on the surface, it stings
I said, something on the surface, well, it kinda makes me nervous
Who says that you deserve this? And what kind of god would serve this?
We will cure this dirty old disease
Well, if you've gots the poison, I've gots the remedy
The remedy is the experience
This is a dangerous liaison
I says, the comedy is that it's serious
This is a strange enough new play on words
I say the tragedy is how you're gonna spend
The rest of your nights with the light on
So shine the light on all of your friends
When it all amounts to nothing in the end
I
I won't worry my life away
Hey, oh, oh
I
I won't worry my life away
Hey, oh, oh
Well, I heard two men talking on the radio
In a crossfire kind of new reality show
Uncovering the ways to plan the next big attack
While they were counting down the ways to stab the brother in the
Be right back after this, the unavoidable kiss
Where the minty fresh death breath
Is sure to outlast this catastrophe, dance with me
'Cause if you've gots the poison, I've gots the remedy
The remedy is the experience
This is a dangerous liaison
I says the comedy is that it's serious
This is a strange enough new play on words
I say the tragedy is how you're gonna spend
The rest of your nights with the light on
So shine the light on all of your friends
When it all amounts to nothing in the end
I
I won't worry my life away
Hey, oh, oh
I (I won't, I won't, I won't)
I won't worry my life away
Hey, oh, oh
When I fall in love (i fall in love)
I take my time
There's no need to hurry when I'm making up my mind
You can turn off the sun (turn off the sun)
But I'm still gonna shine
And I'll tell you why
Because the remedy is the experience
This is a dangerous liaison
I says the comedy is that it's serious
This is a strange enough new play on words
I say the tragedy is how you're gonna spend
The rest of your nights with the light on
So shine the light on all of your friends
When it all amounts to nothing in the end
I ('cause I won't)
I won't worry my life away
Hey, oh, oh
I (I won't, I won't, I won't)
I won't worry my life away
(I won't worry my life)
I (and I won't)
I won't worry my life away (no)
I ('cause I won't, and I won't, and I won't)
I won't worry my life away
Hey, oh, oh
I (I won't, I won't, I won't)
I won't worry my life away
I (I won't, I won't, I won't)
I won't worry my life away
The song "The Remedy" by Jason Mraz has elements of social commentary and serves as a reflective commentary on the world he sees around him. Mraz is initially awed by the fireworks he sees from the freeway but they do not go away when he closes his eyes because he is haunted by the negative and threatening realities of the world. The reference to the fourth of July and freedom play into the American ideal of independence and the underlying yearning for peace.
The following verses highlight the disparities of an uncertain world where a select few plan deadly attacks while others are caught in the crossfire, but this dance of death becomes a remedy in the form of an experience. The remedy, in this case, refers to taking a different approach to life and living for the moment. The last verse reiterates this message, putting emphasis on the experience of life as a cure-all, rather than worrying about the past, future or things beyond your control. The lyrics throughout the song encourage the listener to find a way to live life without fear and to make the most of the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I saw fireworks from the freeway
I was driving on the freeway and could see fireworks shooting up into the sky.
And behind closed eyes, I cannot make them go away
Even when I close my eyes, I can still see the fireworks.
'Cause you were born on the fourth of july, freedom ring
The fireworks are symbolic of the 4th of July, a national holiday celebrating freedom.
Well, something on the surface, it stings
There is something that hurts and causes discomfort.
I said, something on the surface, well, it kinda makes me nervous
The pain is worrying and concerning.
Who says that you deserve this? And what kind of god would serve this?
Why should you have to suffer? Who would allow it to happen?
We will cure this dirty old disease
The problem will be solved and the illness will be gone.
Well, if you've gots the poison, I've gots the remedy
If you have a problem, I have a solution.
The remedy is the experience
The cure is the understanding and knowledge gained from the situation.
This is a dangerous liaison
This is a risky partnership or connection.
I says, the comedy is that it's serious
The irony is that the situation is grave and important.
This is a strange enough new play on words
The situation is an unusual and novel way of expressing something.
I say the tragedy is how you're gonna spend
The sad thing is how you will waste your time.
The rest of your nights with the light on
Your time will be spent in worry and distress, unable to sleep.
So shine the light on all of your friends
Pay attention to your friends and those who support you.
When it all amounts to nothing in the end
In the end, nothing really matters.
I won't worry my life away
I won't waste my life on worry and stress.
Well, I heard two men talking on the radio
I listened to a radio show where two men were conversing.
In a crossfire kind of new reality show
The conversation was intense and heated like a reality TV show.
Uncovering the ways to plan the next big attack
The men were discussing how to carry out a future act of aggression.
While they were counting down the ways to stab the brother in the
One of the ways they planned to attack was to harm a sibling.
Be right back after this, the unavoidable kiss
We'll be right back after this commercial break, following an unavoidable romantic moment.
Where the minty fresh death breath
The bad breath caused by death, but masked with mint.
Is sure to outlast this catastrophe, dance with me
The aftermath of a great disaster may last for a long time, so let's enjoy the moment and dance together.
Because the remedy is the experience
The cure is the knowledge and understanding gained from the situation.
When I fall in love (i fall in love)
When I start to love someone, it's all-consuming.
I take my time
I'm not in a rush to fall in love.
There's no need to hurry when I'm making up my mind
I want to make sure I make the right decision, so I'm not in a rush.
You can turn off the sun (turn off the sun)
Even if you take away the good things in life, my happiness will still shine.
But I'm still gonna shine
I'll still be happy and positive despite hardships.
And I'll tell you why
I'll explain the reason for my positivity.
I won't worry my life away
I won't waste my life on worry and stress.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Goo-Eyed Music
Written by: Graham Edwards, David Scott Alspach, Jason Thomas Mraz, Lauren Christy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@n64wilbert
@Cartoons galore 213 #15 is not big....
"'Cause you were born on the fourth of July
Freedom Ring
Well something on the surface it stings
I said, something on the surface
Well it kinda makes me nervous" = Cancer illness, Cancer Zodiac sign
"I heard two men talkin' on the radio
In a cross fire kind of new reality show
Uncovering the ways to plan the next big attack" = 911/War on Terrorism
@user-or9we4wd3l
[Verse 1:]
Well, I saw fireworks from the freeway
And behind closed eyes, I cannot make them go away
'Cause you were born on the fourth of July, freedom ring
Well, something on the surface it stinks
I said something on the surface
Well it kind of makes me nervous
To say that you deserve this
And what kind of God would serve this
We will cure this dirty old disease
[Pre-Chorus:]
Well, if you've gots the poison, I've gots the remedy
The remedy is the experience, this is a dangerous liaison
I says the comedy is that it's serious
This is a strange enough new play on words
I said, the tragedy is that you're going to spend
The rest of your nights with the light on
So shine the light on all of your friends
Well, it all amounts to nothing in the end
[Chorus:]
I, I won't worry my life away
I, I won't worry my life away
[Verse 2:]
Well, I heard two men, talking on the radio
In a crossfire kind of new reality show
Uncovering the ways to plan the next big attack
Or they were counting down the ways to stab
The brother in the be right back after this
The unavoidable kiss, with a minty fresh death-breath
Is sure to outlast this catastrophe dance with me
[Pre-Chorus:]
'Cause if you've gots the poison, I've gots the remedy
The remedy is the experience, this is a dangerous liaison
I says the comedy is that it's serious
This is a strange enough new play on words
I said, the tragedy is that you're going to spend
The rest of your nights with the light on
So shine the light on all of your friends
Well, it all amounts to nothing in the end
[Chorus:]
I, I won't worry my life away
(I won't, I won't I won't)
I, I won't worry my life away
[Bridge:]
When I fall in love now (I fall in love)
I take my time, there's no need to hurry
When I'm making up my mind
You can turn off the sun (turn off the sun)
But I'm still going to shine
And I'll tell you why
[Pre-Chorus:]
Because the remedy is the experience
this is a dangerous liaison
I says the comedy is that it's serious
This is a strange enough new play on words
I said, the tragedy is that you're going to spend
The rest of your nights with the light on
So shine the light on all of your friends
Well, it all amounts to nothing in the end
[Chorus:]
I ('cause I won't)
I won't worry my life away
I (I won't, I won't I won't)
I won't worry my life away
I won't worry my life
I (I won't)
I won't worry my life away
(I no)
I ('cause I won't, I won't, I won't)
I won't worry my life away
I (I won't, I won't I won't)
I won't worry my life away
I (I won't, I won't I won't)
I won't worry my life away
@n64wilbert
I feel like this shit cryptic...
Verse 1: "Born on the 4th of July" = Cancer zodiac and his friend has cancer..
"It stinks" why would his birthday matter?... unless it's the Cancer metaphor
Verse 2
"I heard two men talkin' on the radio
In a cross fire kind of new reality show
Uncovering the ways to plan the next big attack" - Start of the Iraq and Afghan War
@JasonMraz
This song made me nervous. I was a coffee shop kid and I considered myself to be a little bit of a punk. I wanted to be weird and unpredictable. Then along came this collaboration with the Matrix, a songwriting team from LA that I enjoyed working with, but denounced upon hearing the formulaic pop result of our musings. I was in an acoustic trio, yet the demo of this song came out sounding like a massive radio wundersong, one which I didn’t think I’d ever be able to perform or live up to. (For example, the chorus launches before the verse lyric is even finished. I was confused by it initially and said no thank you to the idea.) Fast forward a year and I was recording the album. On the last day of tracking the drums, I came into the studio to find everyone listening to the demo of “The Remedy.” The record label had sent it and asked that we make an attempt to record it. I didn’t want to! I didn’t want to blast my friend’s inspiring story into the pop cosmos. In my early 20s this felt like “selling out,” but everyone in the studio felt differently. Bassist Stewart Myers said, “This is gonna get you on Cribs!” Someone else said, “Do one thing for the label and they’ll let you do everything else.” But it was my manager who said, “Drink your own medicine. Listen to the lyrics. Don’t worry. This is a beautiful tribute to your friend.” And they were all correct. “The Remedy” changed my life forever and taught me how to give in ways I hadn’t previously experienced or imagined. I never did get on Cribs, though.
Listen to "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" on Waiting for My Rocket to Come (Expanded Edition): https://lnk.to/wfmrtced
@conniekucani2772
Thanks for sharing this story Jason, so interesting to hear what was going on behind the scenes! I totally know what you mean - I’m an artist in my late twenties, learning to be less idealistic sometimes. If it helps at all, hearing this song on the radio made 9-year-old me fall in love with your music, and I’ve been listening to you for 20 years now!
@_ghost_pepper_
You're awesome dude 😎
@rci385
A timeless song. We love you very much, Jason!
I am wondering what the next song on the piano is going to be :-)
Sending much love your way, dear Cat!
<3 :-)
@xan28717
wow i have only been listening to kpop for a couple of years now and i suddenly remembered how much i loved your songs back then so i am revisiting them and it just so happens that you posted this comment a few hours earlier. wow i love what you said and i could say that after all these years i still love your songs the same.
@mini2005mini
歐爾而嗯嗯
@atkinschris8446
As a black man who grew up "in the hood" I gotta say this is top 50 of my favorite songs of all time
@n64wilbert
I think Verse 2 is about 911 & the War Machine ...
@leesteal4458
I feel you.
@adubrezlife
Summer 2003 G💯