Why Georgia
single
CoverWhygeorgia.jpg
ArtistJohn Mayer
AlbumRoom for Squares
B-side
ReleasedJanuary 21, 2003
Length4:28
Label
WriterJohn Mayer
ProducerJohn Alagia
Prev year2002
Next year2003

"Why Georgia" is a song by American singer-songwriter John Mayer from his first album, Room for Squares (2001). As a B-side, the Australian CD single features 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. "Why Georgia" was released as the third single from Room for Squares in January 2003.

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.'[1]

Response

Rolling Stone magazine said that the song "lifts into a melodic chorus you won't soon forget".[2] Stylus magazine praised "Why Georgia," saying of the single, "pure pop guitar lines resonate."[3] PopMatters bemoaned that on songs like "Why Georgia", Mayer sounds just like Dave Matthews.[4]

Track listings

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

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

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003)Peak
position

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)Position
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[5]21
US Triple-A (Billboard)[6]4

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesJanuary 21, 2003Hot adult contemporary · triple A radioColumbia · Aware[7]
February 17, 2003Adult contemporary radio[8]
March 31, 2003Contemporary hit radio[9]
AustraliaJune 23, 2003CD[10]

Cover versions

In 2004, saxophonist Gerald Albright covered the song from the album "Kickin' It Up".[11][12]

References

  1. ^ Small, Mark (2005). "John Mayer '98: Running with the Big Dogs" Berklee.edu. Retrieved on April 23, 2007.
  2. ^ Decurtis, Anthony (December 6, 2001), "John Mayer". Rolling Stone. (883/884):152
  3. ^ Blanford, Roxanne (September 1, 2003). "Room For Squares" Archived January 9, 2016 at the Wayback Machine Stylus Magazine Retrieved November 19, 2007
  4. ^ Thompson, Jason "Same As the Old Boss" PopMatters.com Retrieved November 19, 2007
  5. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 22.
  6. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 47.
  7. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1487. January 17, 2003. p. 24.
  8. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1491. February 14, 2003. p. 28.
  9. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1497. March 28, 2003. p. 22.
  10. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 23rd June 2003". ARIA. June 23, 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original on July 6, 2003. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  11. ^ "Kickin' It Up overview". Smooth-jazz.de
  12. ^ "Gerald Albright Biography". VerveMusicGroup.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2010.