The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Well I guess I'll treat her right
I guess I'll treat her right more this time
I'll try not to rely
Try not to rely on the perfect line
And I see no boundaries
Except for the ones I'm in
And I don't expect you to overcome them
For that's my job description
In a world of players and private eyes
Unless you realize this
There's a whole lot you could miss
Do you know which one I am
I am the cigarette smoking man
Once an hour I light the flower
And burn baby burn
When is it your turn
Lord tell me when the sun goes down
Cause I feel much better then anyway
Well I see much much better then anyway
Well I feel exposed
Although I feel at home
Dressed as a black plastic rose
All flowing head shoulders knees and toes
We dance, we dance, we play, we rant and rave
Oh this childlike wildlife is flooring me
Oh this childlike wildlife is flooring me
Early in the morning
Late in the evening
Evening, we kinda get delirious
Breaking from the seriousness
I try not to get disoriented
Having chewed too many up on my side
Is it any wonder how I missed your smile
Is it any wonder how I write
Pages layered upon pages
Which to no one else but me can be accounted for
For this moment's sake
I do not become me
For path, tunnels or straightaways
I do not watch as often as I should
So instead I sketch my life a comfortable creature
Slow and beautifully
Ooo, the smells and tastes of the past nights
Well, they're still locked up in my gentle jaw
Not that I am wanting them to go
Just that they are
And I'm very much aware
The madness of slow motion as you move your legs to walk
I'm very much aware
Of this madness when you talk
This childlike wildlife is flooring me
Oh this childlike wildlife is flooring me
We dance, we play
Oh lord, we rant and rave
We dance and we play always
I guess I'll treat her right more this time
I'll try not to rely
Try not to rely on the perfect line
And I see no boundaries
Except for the ones I'm in
And I don't expect you to overcome them
For that's my job description
In a world of players and private eyes
Unless you realize this
There's a whole lot you could miss
Do you know which one I am
I am the cigarette smoking man
Once an hour I light the flower
And burn baby burn
When is it your turn
Lord tell me when the sun goes down
Cause I feel much better then anyway
Well I see much much better then anyway
Well I feel exposed
Although I feel at home
Dressed as a black plastic rose
All flowing head shoulders knees and toes
We dance, we dance, we play, we rant and rave
Oh this childlike wildlife is flooring me
Oh this childlike wildlife is flooring me
Early in the morning
Late in the evening
Evening, we kinda get delirious
Breaking from the seriousness
I try not to get disoriented
Having chewed too many up on my side
Is it any wonder how I missed your smile
Is it any wonder how I write
Pages layered upon pages
Which to no one else but me can be accounted for
For this moment's sake
I do not become me
For path, tunnels or straightaways
I do not watch as often as I should
So instead I sketch my life a comfortable creature
Slow and beautifully
Ooo, the smells and tastes of the past nights
Well, they're still locked up in my gentle jaw
Not that I am wanting them to go
Just that they are
And I'm very much aware
The madness of slow motion as you move your legs to walk
I'm very much aware
Of this madness when you talk
This childlike wildlife is flooring me
Oh this childlike wildlife is flooring me
We dance, we play
Oh lord, we rant and rave
We dance and we play always
Lyrics submitted by DMBphan41
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I respect your interpretations, but I took a different approach. I think by the title, "Childlike Wildlife", Mraz is referring to the night life, or the club/concert-scene if you will. If you've ever been to a concert, well, you know could be compared to 'wildlife'. And it is rather 'childlike' because most clubs are filled with young people.
Mraz is reflecting on the madness of night life. It FLOORS him. Essentially, I feel this song is about being in a club and trying to find what makes you important and special enough to be noticed by a girl or group of people. You may say the wrong thing to a girl one night, but the next night, 'you'll treat her right next time and try not rely on the perfect line'. This song (or poem at this point) is the inner dialogue of someone in a world where most of the action is certainly happening outside.
Conceivably, I could go explain line by line, but I implore you make your own interpretation.