The song's meaning is not immediately clear; it could, with equal validity, be about coming to terms with a relationship, or with a person's own self-perception. At his February 28, 2007, show at Madison Square Garden, Mayer introduced "Clarity" as a song written about the first few seconds after waking up in the morning when you don't remember about all of the problems and worries in your life.
At the "Soundstage with Buddy Guy" concert, Mayer explained the song as one of the best he's done, in that it's the best in portraying his thoughts and feelings.
"Clarity" peaked at #13 on the "Billboard" Adult Top 40 chart.
Clarity
John Mayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I worry, I throw my fear around
But this morning
There's a calm I can't explain
The rock candy's melted, only diamonds now remain, oh
By the time I recognize this moment
This moment will be gone
That it somehow lingered on, well I got is oh
And I will wait to find
If this will last forever
And I will wait to find
If this will last forever
And I will pay no mind
When it won't and it won't because it can't
It just can't (It's not supposed to)
Was there a second of time I looked around?
Did I sail through or drop my anchor down?
Was anything enough to kiss the ground
And say I'm here now?
And she is here now, oh
So much wasted in the afternoon
So much sacred in the month of June
How 'bout you?
And I will wait to find
If this will last forever (yeah)
And I will wait to find
That it wont, and it won't and it won't
And I will pay no mind
Worried 'bout no rainy weather (yeah)
And I will waste no time
Remaining in our lives together
In John Mayer's song Clarity, the singer expresses their struggle with anxiety and fear in the first two lines. They worry so much, they feel as if they weigh three times their own body and they throw their fear around. However, in the morning there's a sense of calm that they cannot explain. The metaphor of rock candy melting suggests that something sweet, perhaps childhood innocence or naivety, has dissipated and all that remains is something more precious and valuable, represented by diamonds.
The singer then reflects on the fleeting nature of moments in life. They know that by the time they recognize something important, it may already be gone. Yet, they choose to bend the light, pretending that the moment lingers on. They are willing to wait and see if this moment of clarity and calmness will last forever, but they also acknowledge that some things are not meant to last forever, which is why they will pay no mind when it won't last. They ask themselves if they were present in that moment, or did it pass by them without notice. They reflect on the wasted and sacred moments in life and question the listener about their own experiences. Ultimately, they vow to waste no time and remain together with their loved ones.
Overall, the song Clarity is a contemplative and introspective piece that explores themes of anxiety, fear, fleeting moments in life and the importance of being present. It acknowledges that some things are transitory in nature, but that doesn't detract from their beauty or value.
Line by Line Meaning
I worry, I weigh three times my body
I am consumed by worry, causing me to feel heavy with anxiety and unable to move forward
I worry, I throw my fear around
My fear takes over, causing me to become irrational and unpredictable
But this morning, There's a calm I can't explain
Despite my typical anxiety, I am currently feeling a sense of peace that is unexplainable
The rock candy's melted, only diamonds now remain, oh
I have let go of frivolous things and am focusing on the more valuable and long-lasting aspects of life
By the time I recognize this moment, This moment will be gone
I am aware that the current moment is fleeting and will soon be gone, making it all the more precious
But I will bend the light pretending, That it somehow lingered on, well I got is oh
I will hold onto the memory of this moment and try to make it last longer than it actually did
And I will wait to find, If this will last forever
I am hopeful that this moment will never end and will continue to bring me happiness
And I will pay no mind, When it won't and it won't because it can't, It just can't (It's not supposed to)
I will accept when this moment eventually passes, as it is not meant to last forever
Was there a second of time I looked around?
Did I take the time to appreciate and be present in the moment?
Did I sail through or drop my anchor down?
Did I fully engage with what was happening around me, or did I just let it pass me by?
Was anything enough to kiss the ground, And say I'm here now?
Did I have a moment of realization that I am alive and present in this specific moment?
And she is here now, oh
The presence of someone special in my life makes me appreciate this moment even more
So much wasted in the afternoon
I regret how much time I have wasted in the past
So much sacred in the month of June
I recognize that there are beautiful and special moments in life, especially during the month of June
How 'bout you?
Do you see and appreciate the beauty in life as well?
And I will pay no mind, Worried 'bout no rainy weather (yeah)
I will not let minor obstacles or life's hardships detract from living in the present moment
And I will waste no time, Remaining in our lives together
I will cherish the people in my life and make the most of our time together
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: John Clayton Mayer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patriciapnicolau
Anyone in 2024? ❤
@olawaleoliver8459
NO I WILL NOT SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR OF!
@lilililika1074
Amoooo!❤
@Emezie
I am very sad that they cut out my favorite part of the song for this radio edit. Everyone should go listen to the album version and scream along to the ending. Hurry, before the sacred month of June ends.
@paulallenscard8553
I love the ending to the album version as well, but I do wish they had kept the “ooohs” in during the song’s outro on the album too. That melody fits so well over the chord progression
@mintythekid119
Yeah this ending version is actually touchy!
@fabim13131
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRgxgdf2esE&ab_channel=MayerFan
@charlieheigstein3060
Seven years later
@fivestring65ify
@@user-db7db1hn6y I love everything about it.
@phidam6624
Mayer said he wrote this song about the first FEW seconds when you wake up and don’t remember your problems and issues.
As everyone’s day goes on, reality hits you with work, school, or any troubles