This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
I am driving up 85 in the
kind of morning that lasts all afternoon
I’m just stuck inside the gloom
4 more exits to my apartment but
I am tempted to keep the car in drive
and leave it all behind
cause I wonder sometimes
about the outcome
Of a still verdictless life
am I living it right
am I living it right
am I living it right
why, why Georgia, why
rent a room and I fill the spaces with
wood and places to make it feel like home
but all I feel’s alone
it might be a quarter life crisis
or just the stirring in my soul
either way
I wonder sometimes
about the outcome
of a still verdictless life
am I living it right
am I living it right
am I living it right
why, why Georgia, why
so what so I’ve got a smile on
It’s hiding the quiet superstitions in my head
don’t believe me
don’t you dare believe me
when I say I’ve got it down
everybody is just a stranger
but that’s the danger in going my own way
I guess it’s a price I have to pay
still everything happens for a reason
is no reason not to ask yourself if you are
living it right
are you living it right
are you living it right
why, why Georgia, why
kind of morning that lasts all afternoon
I’m just stuck inside the gloom
4 more exits to my apartment but
I am tempted to keep the car in drive
and leave it all behind
cause I wonder sometimes
about the outcome
Of a still verdictless life
am I living it right
am I living it right
am I living it right
why, why Georgia, why
rent a room and I fill the spaces with
wood and places to make it feel like home
but all I feel’s alone
it might be a quarter life crisis
or just the stirring in my soul
either way
I wonder sometimes
about the outcome
of a still verdictless life
am I living it right
am I living it right
am I living it right
why, why Georgia, why
so what so I’ve got a smile on
It’s hiding the quiet superstitions in my head
don’t believe me
don’t you dare believe me
when I say I’ve got it down
everybody is just a stranger
but that’s the danger in going my own way
I guess it’s a price I have to pay
still everything happens for a reason
is no reason not to ask yourself if you are
living it right
are you living it right
are you living it right
why, why Georgia, why
Lyrics submitted by Ice
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You know I loved this song when I was 16. It was beautiful and all my friends thought John was cute. I remember having this playing when I was learning to drive, actually. But you know what I've realized. I'm 20 now, and I can finally understand what he is saying. I think that is his art. You can love a song for it's beat and how cute the singer is, but it's when you can stop and appreciate the lyrics and their deep meaning that I think you can actually love a song. This is one of those songs.
I always thought it was "I am driving, 85 N." As in north on highway 85. Listening again, I guess he does softly say "up 85 in..."
I lived in Georgia in my mid 20s and I really relate to this song. I think it's about getting to an age where you always thought you would be an adult and have things figured out. Instead you have no idea if you're really doing what you should be doing, a "quarter-life crisis." You're stuck in traffic (which is awful on 85 during rush hour) and don't feel like your life is meaningful.
It's really interesting that so many people wonder if this is a love song written to someone named Georgia. In a way I think it is. Living in a place and being unsure if you're doing the right thing is like being in a relationship but you don't know if the person is really the love of your life. The way he makes the place seem like a person really makes the song cool for me.
"it might be a quarter life crises or just the stirring in my soul" this is real good stuff
i totally missed the meaning of the song when i first heard it but now reading the lyrics it just struck me since i've been feeling this way. Im only 2 yrs shy from graduating high school and everyone is asking me what i want to be or what i want to do after hs. my friends are finding out what they want, my family is thinking how i'll be able to go to college and what college im going to and im also going through changes, im realising things, finding out suff, and trying to just survive each day of my life. Its very stressful and is full of uncertainty but i like not knowing what'll happen and just living the now so his song totally gives me relief and calmness that helps me balance and think things out.
"don’t believe me don’t you dare believe me when I say I’ve got it down"
totally me. 25 and still trying to figure it out. love this song! older john mayer is great
John began his career in athens GA.. he used to play at a coffe bar here called "bluesky". "driving up 85" refers to interstate 85 that runs up the east coast.. and right near athens. He just kinda moved out here without really settleing in.. so i dont think he knew alot of people.. and he was taking a big risk for his music by randomly moving here. by the way if you see the video for "no such thing" its footage from a concert at the "athens theater" where he kinda started out. the rest is kinda self explanitory.. the song is basically about his doubts, fears, and other feelings as hes basically trying to make a life for himself. athens is a big college town so it was a great place for him to start.
P.S. GO DAWGS (UGA)
okay, since no one has gotten this one right yet, let me do the deed. first of all, "driving down 85" refers to Interstate 85 that runs through Atlanta, Georgia not Athens. Mayer lived in Atlanta for a while and this song is about wondering if he made the right choice moving there. he is feeling homesick and he is experiencing the self-doubt and confusion that most of us mid 20somethings go through. he felt he had to get out of whatever town he is from and for some reason he was drawn to atlanta, ga. thus, "why georiga, why?" this song is about having the balls to say "fuck that, im not going to just move back home after college like everyone else. im going to take a chance and go somewhere new, even if i know no one and its scary as hell." great song; it is the much more introspective version of "wide open spaces" by the dixie chicks.
This is an incredibly well written song. Living in Atlanta really allows you to relate more with it, but it definitely captures that 20-something moment in life. I've always considered John Mayer to be a tool, but he has moments of brilliance like this song. I don't know what it is about this song, but it strikes a chord in me. It really captures that feeling of just being frustrated and unsure of where you're going in life.
"rent a room and I fill the spaces with wood and places to make it feel like home but all I feel's alone"
Lyrics like this are truly perfect, when it comes to capturing a moment in existence. It's that feeling of being very incomplete before you venture into your actual life.
I just love this song and think it reflects where I am right now. My Georgia is North Carolina and I'm still figuring out if "I'm living it right." Wrote more about it on my blog: newyorkinanutshell.blogspot.com
This song is absolutely gorgeous - it relates so well to that feeling of being unsure about your life and where you're headed. I adore this song.