Background and production
Mayer suggested in an interview with the magazine Performing Songwriter that "Gravity" was the song he was always trying to write, using the example of "Come Back to Bed" (from Heavier Things) as being an early attempt at "writing Gravity". Along with "Vultures", the song is one of only two songs featured on the John Mayer Trio's debut album, Try!, that carried over into the release of Continuum. Alicia Keys provides background vocals at the end of the song.
Gravity
John Mayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And gravity wants to bring me down
Oh, I'll never know
What makes this man, with all the love that his heart can stand
Dream of ways to throw it all away
Whoa, whoaGravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down
Oh, twice as much ain't twice as good
And can't sustain like one half could
It's wanting more that's gonna send me to my knees
Oh, twice as much ain't twice as good
And can't sustain like one half could
It's wanting more that's gonna send me to my knees
Whoa, whoa
Gravity, stay the hell away from me
Whoa, whoa
Gravity has taken better men than me
Now how can that be?
Just keep me where the light is
Just keep me where the light is
Just keep me where the light is
Come on, keep me where the light is
Come on, keep me where the light is
Come on, keep me where, now, keep me where the light is
John Mayer's song "Gravity" is a powerful and emotional piece that showcases the serious themes of temptation, addiction, and self-doubt. The singer bemoans the fact that he's often at war with himself, and he can feel the weight of "gravity" bearing down on him. Mayer acknowledges that though he has all the love he could ever want, he's still tempted to throw it all away. He recognizes that the need for more can be overwhelming and that it can lead him to his knees if he's not careful.
The lyrics suggest that even the strongest men can succumb to the pull of Gravity. It's a force that can chip away at one's resilience and desire to do good in the world. The final lines plead for some kind of reprieve: "Just keep me where the light is." The light symbolizes everything from goodness to hope—anything that can offset the negative forces that are dragging the singer down.
Line by Line Meaning
Gravity is working against me
The force of gravity is making things difficult for me.
And gravity wants to bring me down
Gravity is trying to drag me down and make me feel negative.
Oh, I'll never know
I cannot understand why I feel this way.
What makes this man, with all the love that his heart can stand
What drives a person who has the capacity to love so deeply.
Dream of ways to throw it all away
Why someone would contemplate giving up everything they love.
Whoa, whoa
An expression of surprise, disbelief, and confusion.
Oh, twice as much ain't twice as good
More is not always better in life.
And can't sustain like one half could
Too much of something can be unsustainable, unlike a moderate amount.
It's wanting more that's gonna send me to my knees
The desire for excessive things may take a toll on me.
Gravity, stay the hell away from me
I do not want to feel weighed down by negativity.
Gravity has taken better men than me
Even stronger people have been affected by the negative force of gravity.
Now how can that be?
This occurrence is confusing and difficult to comprehend.
Just keep me where the light is
Help me stay in a positive, optimistic place in life.
Come on, keep me where the light is
Encouraging someone to stay in the light and avoid darkness.
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: John Mayer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hosiutsi
[Verse 1]
It's not a silly little moment
It's not the storm before the calm
This is the deep and dyin' breath of
This love that we've been workin' on
Can't seem to hold you like I want to
So I can feel you in my arms
Nobody's gonna come and save ya
We pulled too many false alarms
[Chorus]
We're goin' down
And you can see it too
We're goin' down
And you know that we're doomed
My dear, we're slow dancin' in a burnin' room
[Verse 2]
I was the one you always dreamed of
You were the one I tried to draw
How dare you say it's nothin' to me?
Baby, you're the only light I ever saw
I'll make the most of all the sadness
You'll be a bitch, because you can
You'll try to hit me, just to hurt me
So you leave me feelin' dirty
'Cause you can't understand
[Chorus]
We're goin' down
And you can see it, too
We're goin' down
And you know that we're doomed
My dear, we're slow dancin' in a burnin' room
[Bridge]
Go cry about it, why don't you?
Go cry about it, why don't you?
Go cry about it, why don't you?
[Chorus]
My dear, we're slow dancin' in a burnin' room
[Post-Chorus]
Burnin' room
Burnin' room
Burnin' room
Burnin' room
[Outro]
Don't you think we oughta know by now?
Don't you think we shoulda learned somehow?
Don't you think we oughta know by now?
Don't you think we shoulda learned somehow?
Don't you think we oughta know by now?
Don't you think we shoulda learned somehow?
@7cloudsRock
What's your perfect breakfast?
@ShamenaMuqah-ke5gq
Your thoughts
@christiebetts-fi7qj
Today French toast with strawberries and little sausages sounds good
@TaniaScott-kk6oc
Bacon and scrambled eggs hashbrowns creamy spaghetti sausages and toast and maybe a tomato
@Frannyor25
You knew exactly what was needed this morning ❤
@HgSilva-mg3ou
Nice production!
@jenraminax
This is so nice 💗
@willmpet
I can see John Mayer sleeping with his guitar.
@emmabovaraune3775
Gravity is stronger we're only human after all. The light's in you don't worry
@hosiutsi
[Verse 1]
It's not a silly little moment
It's not the storm before the calm
This is the deep and dyin' breath of
This love that we've been workin' on
Can't seem to hold you like I want to
So I can feel you in my arms
Nobody's gonna come and save ya
We pulled too many false alarms
[Chorus]
We're goin' down
And you can see it too
We're goin' down
And you know that we're doomed
My dear, we're slow dancin' in a burnin' room
[Verse 2]
I was the one you always dreamed of
You were the one I tried to draw
How dare you say it's nothin' to me?
Baby, you're the only light I ever saw
I'll make the most of all the sadness
You'll be a bitch, because you can
You'll try to hit me, just to hurt me
So you leave me feelin' dirty
'Cause you can't understand
[Chorus]
We're goin' down
And you can see it, too
We're goin' down
And you know that we're doomed
My dear, we're slow dancin' in a burnin' room
[Bridge]
Go cry about it, why don't you?
Go cry about it, why don't you?
Go cry about it, why don't you?
[Chorus]
My dear, we're slow dancin' in a burnin' room
[Post-Chorus]
Burnin' room
Burnin' room
Burnin' room
Burnin' room
[Outro]
Don't you think we oughta know by now?
Don't you think we shoulda learned somehow?
Don't you think we oughta know by now?
Don't you think we shoulda learned somehow?
Don't you think we oughta know by now?
Don't you think we shoulda learned somehow?