Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Why Georgia

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Released
  
April 29, 2003

Recorded
  
2001

Label
  
Aware, Columbia

Format
  
CD single

Length
  
4:28

Genre
  
Adult alternative, acoustic rock

"Why Georgia" is the third single released by John Mayer from his first album, Room for Squares. As a B-side, the international version single featured the live version of "Why Georgia" as it appeared on Mayer's first live album, Any Given Thursday, as the single followed the live album's release. The international single was released only two months prior to Mayer's second album, Heavier Things.

Contents

Lyrics

The song is autobiographic, and touches on Mayer's experience of having a "quarterlife crisis", a phenomenon of 20-somethings. He moved to Atlanta with Clay Cook after dropping out of Berklee College of Music, and, though pursuing his dreams, had doubts if he would be successful or not. In one interview he said

I remember getting into some pretty dismal places money-wise and opportunity-wise. I kind of looked at my guitar and said, 'It's just you and me. I'll go where you take me.'

He expresses this feeling in the song's refrain:

'Cause I wonder sometimes
About the outcome
Of a still verdictless life
Am I living it right?

Response

Rolling Stone magazine said that the song "lifts into a melodic chorus you won't soon forget". Stylus magazine praised "Why Georgia," saying of the single, "pure pop guitar lines resonate." PopMatters bemoaned that on songs like "Why Georgia", Mayer sounds just like Dave Matthews.

Track listing

All songs by John Mayer unless otherwise indicated.

US version

  1. "Why Georgia" – 4:28
  2. "3x5" (Live at the X Lounge) – 5:18
  3. "No Such Thing" (Demo Version) (John Mayer & Clay Cook) – 3:51

International version

  1. "Why Georgia" – 4:28
  2. "3x5" (Live at the X Lounge)(feat. Brad Paisley) – 5:18
  3. "No Such Thing" (Demo Version) (Mayer & Cook) – 3:51
  4. "Why Georgia" (Any Given Thursday version) – 6:51
  5. "How Georgia of It" (Demo) (Drew Amato and Horny Mike) - 7:03

Personnel

  • John Mayer - vocals, guitar
  • David LaBruyere - bass
  • Nir Z - drums, loops
  • Brandon Bush - Hammond organ
  • John Alagia - percussion
  • Clay Cook - backing vocals
  • Doug Derryberry - backing vocals

    • Cover versions

    In 2004, saxophonist Gerald Albright covered the song from the album "Kickin' It Up".

    References

    Why Georgia Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA