“Gravity” is about not only being happy with what one has but also about not giving in to societal pressures to get more, more, and more.

When one looks at the economic landscape, rife as it with racism, intolerance, and patriarchal concepts, capitalism in the 21st century seems to be all about amassing as much as possible as quickly as possible from as many sources as possible while getting the better of as many people as possible without any care about them thereafter. John Mayer’s song “Gravity,” however,” says that, “… Twice as much ain’t twice as good and can’t sustain like one-half could.” Mayer explains that he feels that “Gravity” is the most important song he’s ever written. He says that he’ll sing it every day of his life. This is most likely not only a cautionary tale to folks who exhibit greed but also a reminder to himself to stay grounded so that “gravity doesn’t work against him.” The idea is that if someone isn’t constantly striving to slake the thirst of “there will never be “enough,” then gravity won’t exert as much influence over that someone. Mayer says that the song just came to him in its entirety while he was showering one day while living in Los Angeles.

Keeping It

Mayer told NPR’s “Morning Edition” in 2007 that he thought human beings were better at attaining things than keeping them. The subtext is that they want to attain but put less emphasis on keeping what they’ve attained. Mayer also says that there are things in his life that are weighed down by gravity because of things he’s lost. For example, he says that he wishes he’d never had to do rehab and that he also wishes that he’d never had to go through a divorce. In the case of the former, he lost time from his life because of having been in rehab. In the case of the latter, he lost his marriage.

Other Media

The song is popular in the soundtracks of television dramas. “House, M.D.,” in particular, has used the song no fewer than five times over its eight seasons. “Criminal Minds” and “NUMB3RS” are two police procedurals that used the song as well. Because it’s a well-known and catchy blues tune that appeared on the Billboard 100, contestants on reality shows that feature singing or dancing, such as “So, You Think You Can Dance” and “The Masked Singer,” have chosen the song.

Lyrics

Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down

Oh, I’ll never know
What makes this man, with all the love that his heart can stand
Dream of ways to throw it all away

Whoa, whoa
Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down

Oh, twice as much ain’t twice as good
And can’t sustain like one half could
It’s wanting more that’s gonna send me to my knees

Oh, twice as much ain’t twice as good
And can’t sustain like one half could
It’s wanting more that’s gonna send me to my knees

Whoa, whoa
Gravity, stay the hell away from me
Whoa, whoa
Gravity has taken better men than me
Now how can that be?

Just keep me where the light is
Just keep me where the light is
Just keep me where the light is
Come on, keep me where the light is
Come on, keep me where the light is
Come on, keep me where, now, keep me where the light is

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: John Mayer

Gravity lyrics © Reach Music Publishing

Listeners of music from the 2000’s, might also appreciate the song Bleed it Out by Linkin Park