Why Georgia

"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.

"Why Georgia"
Single by John Mayer
from the album Room for Squares
B-side	"3x5" (live) "No Such Thing" (demo)
Released	January 21, 2003 (2003-01-21)
Length	4:28
Label	Columbia Aware
Songwriter(s)	John Mayer
Producer(s)	John Alagia
John Mayer singles chronology
"Your Body Is a Wonderland" (2002) "Why Georgia" (2003) "Bigger Than My Body" (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 Australia (ARIA)[5] 81 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] 23 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[7] 2 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[8] 2 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[9] 8

Year-end charts Chart (2003) Position US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[10] 21 US Triple-A (Billboard)[11] 4

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[12]	Gold	35,000‡
United States (RIAA)[13]	Gold	500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	January 21, 2003	Hot adult contemporary triple A radio	Columbia Aware	[14]
	February 17, 2003	Adult contemporary radio		[15]
	March 31, 2003	Contemporary hit radio		[16]
Australia	June 23, 2003	CD		[17]

Cover versions

In 2004, saxophonist Gerald Albright covered the song from the album "Kickin' It Up".^[18][19]