1. Tonight, Not Again – Waiting for my Rocket to Come
A lesser known song, Tonight, Not Again starts slow but really picks up after about a minute or so. A decent showing of Jason Mraz’s lyrical talent, this song concentrates on his range, especially during the chorus. This is a great example of why Jason Mraz is so good, his ability to move from something slow and sentimental to active and loving.
2. Make it Mine – We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things
An upbeat song, the first track off of his newest album, Make it Mine is a lyrical masterpiece about….well….happiness. A staple of any Mraz play list, Make it Mine allows for his lyrics to be lain over a full orchestra in the background for the first time on an album.
3. Clockwatching – Mr. A-Z
Perhaps one of his best examples of lyrical excellence, Clockwatching talks about the desire for things to happen and not get stuck in the moment. Another “light” song with just a hint of sexual undertones (if you choose to read into it that way), Clockwatching is quite reminiscent of a summer’s day spent in a field.
4. Geek in the Pink – Mr. A-Z
Something different from everything else (well, except perhaps The Dynamo of Volition which I have decided to not include in this list because so much of what I say here applies to that song as well), here Jason Mraz shows his Hip-Hop side quite clearly. With various short interventions or a more pop/rock esc performance, Mraz likes to show off his ability to write excellent lyrics that he says at a rate that would rival that of mainstream hip-hop only artists.
5. I’m Yours (From the Casa Nova Sessions) – We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
Jason Mraz’s most known song, you have probably heard this song on the radio more times then you care to count. One of the “new” love songs of our time, this particular version, guitar only, is one of the most romantic but good pop/folk songs I have ever heard. While the normal version of this song will have you loving the lyrics and falling for Jason Mraz, this acoustic version will make you love his music.
6. Life is Wonderful – Mr. A-Z
Another example of Jason Mraz’s lyrical genius, Mraz’s quiet and soft pop/folk mixture in this song is highlighted by various life “miseries” or interesting facts that he points out throughout the song. A song about how perhaps comparison is the only way things have meaning, it’s a must listen to song.
7. Sleeping to Dream – Tonight Not Again (Live)
Although the first live song on this list, don’t be mistaken. Jason Mraz is a phenomenal performer, and arguably just as good (if not better) in concert than in the studio. This song in particular is another of his better love songs. There is not much else to say about this one except that if you listen to it with your significant other, it could easily become “your” song.
8. Halfway Home – Jason Mraz Live at Java Joe’s
A song which is quite hard to find, and is only on his live album, is still a must listen. A funk/pop mix of his skills, Halfway Home falls into a different category of music that is hard to classify. All that I can say about this song it is a great story telling/journey song about going from upset to being “fine” with what goes on in life.
9. You and I Both – Waiting For My Rocket to Come
Another of Jason Mraz’s best known songs, I see this as the precursor to “I’m Yours” simply because of its themes about love and about giving yourself up to a girl’s mercy while hoping that feelings are reciprocated. An additional piece to this song that I like is how it quickly moves from talking about why Jason Mraz and some girl would make a great couple to Jason quickly attempting to rationalize why he hasn’t received a call back. It is such a quick move which immediately prompts another idea, just remembering the good times.
10. Worldplay (Live) – Geekin’ Out Across the Galaxy – EP
Without a doubt the best of Jason Mraz’s lyrical ability. Don’t get me wrong, he is both a great singer and a great guitar player, but there is nothing better than listening to his lyrics and rhymes. Possibly Mraz’s best song, no other has come close to his masterpiece manifested in Worplay. If you wanted to, it would be quite easy to see Wordplay as Jason Mraz’s song about all the rest of his music. Wordplay serves as an overarching song that encompasses most of the other things he does musically. My personal favorite, Jason Mraz stuns me every time I hear this song.
Bonus Song:
The Remedy (I Won’t Worry) – Waiting For My Rocket to Come
Originally, I decided simply to not include this song because it was so overplayed as soon as Jason Mraz got big, but I feel it is worth a mention simply because it still is Jason Mraz and still is quite good, give it a listen.
