3x5
John Mayer Lyrics
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Catch you up on places I've been
You held this letter
Probably got excited, but there's nothing else inside it
Didn't have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm
In the mood to lose my way with words
Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche'
And strange how clouds that look like mountains in the sky
Are next to mountains anyway
Didn't have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it when
I'm in the mood to lose my way
But let me say
You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes
It brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
No more 3x5's
Guess you had to be there
Guess you had to be with me
Today I finally overcame
Trying to fit the world inside a picture frame
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm in the mood to
Lose my way but let me say
You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes
It brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
No more 3x5's
Just no more 3x5's
In "3x5," John Mayer writes a letter to someone, likely a friend or lover, to catch them up on the places he has been. The letter was likely anticipated and the person reading it might have been excited to learn about John's travels. However, John explains that there isn't much to share since he didn't have a camera with him on this trip. Instead, he wanted to experience the world with both his eyes and be present in the moment. He promises to tell more when he's in the "mood to lose [his] way with words."
John then describes the beauty he witnessed in the sky, specifically the "cowboy's cliche" colors and the mountains in the clouds. He reiterates that he didn't capture these experiences on film but expresses that the person reading his letter should have been there with him to witness the sunrise for themselves. John doesn't want to rely on 3x5 photos to remember his experiences anymore; he wants to live in the moment and have the memories live within him.
Overall, "3x5" is a song about the importance of being present and living life outside of a photograph. John encourages his audience to embrace the world with open eyes and create memories that can't be captured on film.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm writing you to
I am addressing this letter to you
Catch you up on places I've been
Update you on the places I've been
You held this letter
You received this letter
Probably got excited, but there's nothing else inside it
You may have been excited to receive this letter, but there is no additional content
Didn't have a camera by my side this time
I did not have a camera with me during this trip
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
I hoped to experience the world visually, without the aid of a camera
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm in the mood to lose my way with words
Perhaps I will describe the trip to you when I am feeling expressive
Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche'
Today's sky is reminiscent of a stereotypical Western landscape
And strange how clouds that look like mountains in the sky
It is curious how cloud formations can resemble mountains
Are next to mountains anyway
These clouds are juxtaposed against actual mountains
You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes
You would have enjoyed the sunrise if you were there
It brought me back to life
The sunrise was revitalizing
You'll be with me next time I go outside
I will share my future experiences with you
No more 3x5's
I will not try to capture experiences in pictures anymore
Guess you had to be there
You had to experience it firsthand to truly understand
Today I finally overcame
I have finally moved past
Trying to fit the world inside a picture frame
The attempt to capture the world in pictures
Just no more 3x5's
I will no longer try to capture experiences in pictures
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: John Clayton Mayer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind