Have It All

Album: Know (2018)
Charted: 90
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Co-written by Jason Mraz with David Hodges, Jacob Kasher, and Andrew Wells, this song draws inspiration from a religious encounter that the singer had in Southeast Asia.

    May you have auspiciousness and causes of success

    Mraz explained to Genius: "This lyric is the origin of the song. It was bestowed to me by a Buddhist monk while visiting Myanmar back in 2012. The monk bowed and said 'Tashi delek' which can be translated to mean 'may you have auspiciousness and causes of success.' Inspired by this gracious message I took to my journal and expounded on the idea with the following lines and verses."
  • Mraz said in a press release: "'Have It All' stood out as a song with a hopeful message to help me heal and move forward; a song with a message of generosity – the antithesis of despondency; a song bestowed to me by translating a message from a monk. It's a blessing disguised as a rap song and it's meant to be paid-forward and shared."
  • A video was shot for the song with performing arts students from Mraz's hometown of Richmond. A documentary film was later released detailing the creative process behind the song and its visual.

    "It's a movie about one song, but also how that one song reflects almost every song of my career," Mraz told ET. "And also how that one song's music video was made through a collaborative experience with two nonprofits in Richmond, Virginia, which is my hometown. It's honestly less about me and more about shining a light on tomorrow's artists."

Comments: 2

  • Vic From Omaha Is My Hearing Twin from UsaI heard that exact same thing just last night and had to immediately look up the song. I was disappointed when I found out it was an oddly pronounced way of emphasizing the wrong syllable of "*esteemed* guest." Lol.
  • Vic from Omaha"May you be treated like an Epstein guest"!!!! Beautiful song. A little ironic in light of things, though
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Amanda Palmer

Amanda PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Call us crazy, but we like it when an artist comes around who doesn't mesh with the status quo.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.