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I said up in New York City
I try to find the man I never got to be
Oh I push down on the pavement
Find the whole thing so much harder than it seems
The only deal I ever signed
The old devil drew a dotted line
The stage was set, the words were mine
I'm not complaining
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat
It's just a phase
It's not forever
It's just a phase
And I still might have a ways to go
Every night around this time
My friends and I we treat it like a race
When I really start to break it down
When you trust a girl who knew about this place
Walking on with nothing left
Speak softly underneath my breath
Hey world you ain't seen nothing yet
Hey now, it's waiting.
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat
It's just a phase
It's not forever
It's just a phase
But I still might have a ways...yeah
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat it, repeat it, repeat after me
I try to find the man I never got to be
Oh I push down on the pavement
Find the whole thing so much harder than it seems
The only deal I ever signed
The old devil drew a dotted line
The stage was set, the words were mine
I'm not complaining
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat
It's just a phase
It's not forever
It's just a phase
And I still might have a ways to go
Every night around this time
My friends and I we treat it like a race
When I really start to break it down
When you trust a girl who knew about this place
Walking on with nothing left
Speak softly underneath my breath
Hey world you ain't seen nothing yet
Hey now, it's waiting.
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat
It's just a phase
It's not forever
It's just a phase
But I still might have a ways...yeah
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat it, repeat it, repeat after me
Lyrics submitted by Marbar7890
Track duration: 04:39
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"It's just a phase...It's not forever...but I still might have a ways to go."
On the surface, this song allows us to believe that he sees alcohol as a way to numb the pain of his uncomfortable transition through life. I also think he's trying to say that he has more to learn as things change. He's stumbling over the transitional problems he's facing, just as a drunk person (who has had a little too much whiskey, whiskey, whiskey) might stumble over obstacles that seem so simple to overcome.
This is definitely one of his deeper songs and I think it can apply to anyone who may be going through an uncomfortably awkward stage in their life.
"It's"(the song and such moments in life) (are) both melancholic yet therapeutic simultaneously.
I've thought nearly every thought and phase Mayer represented in this song, and it seems to help to me deal with the unknowingness of meaningless and the hopeful search for purpose that drapes the existence of those who live into their 30's.
It is likely the best song on Mayer's most recent album, and let's hope he gets back to expressing himself about the darks of life further on his next album(which he masterfully does on all his projects). Because, the powers that be, know, I need it...;)
I think it perfectly captures the grown up John Mayer that we seem to have found in Born & Raised. He's a little worn down, he's a little more realistic, but in his soul he's still looking for something more.
Well, at least that's how the song strikes me, and that's how I can relate to it.
My favorite lines are: It's just a phase, it's not forever, it's just a phase, but I still might have a ways to go.
We pick* up in New York City
I try to find the man I never got to be
But when* I push down on the pavement
I find the whole thing so much harder than it seems
The only deal I ever signed
No* devil drew a dotted line
The stage was set, the words were mine
I'm not complaining
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat
It's just a phase
It's not forever
It's just a phase
But* I still might have a ways to go
Every night around this time
My friends and I we treat it like a race
But* when I really start to break it down
I wouldn't trust* a girl who knew about this place
Walking home with no one* left
Speak softly underneath my breath
Hey world you ain't seen nothing yet
Great now it's raining*
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat
It's just a phase
It's not forever
It's just a phase
But I still might have a ways...yeah
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat it, repeat it, repeat after me