John Mayer Lyrics, Meaning & Videos

Tracing
John Mayer Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Do you ever get the feeling
That we started in the middle?
Or have you ever had the sense
That we've been lying just a little?
I mean come on
It's not like we've known ourselves that long

And I can't say I really blame you

For being bored with the beginning
Always staring at the score
To figure out who's barely winning
But don't you know
There is a reason strong move slow

And I'm okay
If you're okay with wasting time
But when you trace
You always see the bottom line

We are tracing
I hope you know
We are tracing
And if you want to know the moment
I knew that I was still alone
I found I never learned your number
I only stored it in my phone
You'd think by now
I'd know the shape of calling home

And I'm okay
If you're okay with wasting time
But when you trace
You always see the bottom line

We are tracing
I hope you know
We are tracing
Were both alone
We are tracing
We are tracing

Did you ever get the feeling
That we started in the middle?
Or have you ever had the sense
That we've been lying just a little?

I mean come on
It's not like we knew ourselves that long


Overall Meaning

In John Mayer's song "Tracing", the singer explores the possibility that he and his partner might have started their relationship in the middle, as if they've skipped over the beginning stages of getting to know each other. He questions whether they've both been lying to themselves about how well they know each other, and if they're truly alone despite being in a relationship. Mayer reflects on how they're both tracing back their steps, attempting to figure out where they went wrong or if they ever really got it right.


The lyrics suggest that they've taken shortcuts in getting to know each other, or perhaps rushed into a relationship without taking the time to really build a strong foundation. Mayer acknowledges that strong moves often move slow, and that it's okay to take things at a slower pace. However, the two seem to be tracing back their steps and finding that they may have missed key moments, such as not even knowing each other's phone numbers.


Overall, "Tracing" conveys a sense of uncertainty and insecurity in the relationship, as the couple tries to navigate their way back to a point where they feel more sure about each other. It highlights the importance of taking time to build a foundation in a relationship and not rushing into things.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you ever get the feeling
Have you ever had the sensation


That we started in the middle?
That our beginning wasn't really the beginning?


Or have you ever had the sense
Did you ever have the impression


That we've been lying just a little?
That we've been dishonest to some extent?


I mean come on
I don't blame you


It's not like we've known ourselves that long
We haven't really gotten to know each other yet


And I can't say I really blame you
I understand where you're coming from


For being bored with the beginning
For being uninterested in the start


Always staring at the score
Always trying to tally up who's ahead


To figure out who's barely winning
To figure out who's not really in the lead


But don't you know
But haven't you heard


There is a reason strong move slow
It's better to take things slow when there's substance


And I'm okay
I'm content


If you're okay with wasting time
If you don't mind spending time without direction


But when you trace
But when you look more closely


You always see the bottom line
You always end up seeing the truth


We are tracing
We are still figuring things out


I hope you know
I hope you understand


And if you want to know the moment
And if you want to know when


I knew that I was still alone
I realized I was still by myself


I found I never learned your number
I realized I didn't even know your phone number


I only stored it in my phone
I only remember it because it's saved in my device


You'd think by now
One would assume by this point


I'd know the shape of calling home
I'd know what it feels like to truly reach out to someone


We are tracing
We are still figuring things out


Were both alone
We are both lonely


We are tracing
We are still figuring things out


We are tracing
We are still figuring things out


Did you ever get the feeling
Have you ever had the sensation


That we started in the middle?
That our beginning wasn't really the beginning?


Or have you ever had the sense
Did you ever have the impression


That we've been lying just a little?
That we've been dishonest to some extent?


I mean come on
I don't blame you


It's not like we knew ourselves that long
We haven't really gotten to know each other yet


Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: MAYER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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