I am driving up 85 in the
Kind of morning that lasts all afternoon
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

[Chorus]
Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?
Why, why Georgia, why?

I rent a room and I fill the spaces with
Wood in 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

[Chorus]

So what, so I've got a smile on
But it's hiding the quiet superstitions in my head
Don't believe me
Don't 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 the price I have to pay
Still "everything happens for a reason"
Is no reason not to ask myself

[Chorus]



Lyrics submitted by Ice

Track duration: 04:29

"Why Georgia" as written by John Mayer

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Why Georgia song meanings
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66 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment: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
    Flag crystalclear2589on December 28, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:totally me. 25 and still trying to figure it out. love this song! older john mayer is great
    Flag musicismylife13on November 26, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think everyone has a "Georgia" or a place or situation you chose to go into but still think, "What the hell am I doing?" There's always an uncertainty about your decision and people will always question you, "Why?"

    It's a rite of passage as you grow up and leave the nest, so to speak.

    One of my favorite John Mayer songs.
    Flag yapinon January 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:okay so i know that this song is actually talking about georgia the state, but my name's georgia and whenever im having a bad day, or i've done something wrong i sing this song to myself...
    Flag georgia6789on January 30, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment: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.
    Flag thetaldichon January 06, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment: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.
    Flag logeson August 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:As far as I know, this song isn't about a girl just due to the fact that he talks about driving on 85. Anyone who lives in Georgia is very familiar with insterstate 85.
    Flag CLJx3on June 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:Notice the commas; it could be written "Why? Why Georgia? Why?" I think it is more of a "Why here? Why now? Why this place?" kind of comment. That place just happened to be Georgia (a personal touch). He believes that "everything happens for a reason", but he's trying to figure out what that reason is and what the final verdict will be--is he living it right? There's a reason he moved to Georgia, there's a reason this happened and such and such happened, but what is that reason exactly? Maybe his circumstances were such that it felt like uncontrollable events practically drew him to this place. Now he's wondering why. Also, he could literally be asking Georgia (the state), "Why am I here Georgia? Why was I lead here? Am I living it right?"
    Flag sam98034on February 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To every 20 something who has no idea what their gonna do with their life from this point forward... this songs for you.
    Flag quarterlifecrisison May 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i like this song because i can identify... great to listen to while actually driving down 85!
    Flag xrobin1234on May 05, 2008   Link

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