Songfacts®:

• This rootsy paean is the title track of the fifth studio album by American musician John Mayer. Produced by the singer with Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt) the record marked a change in Mayer's musical style, incorporating musical elements of folk and Americana.
• That's Mayer himself on the opening harmonica. The track also features multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz on lap steel guitarist, whilst David Crosby and Graham Nash contribute supporting vocals.
• The song finds Mayer attempting to come to terms with his true self, as he despairs that, "it gets hard to fake what I won't be."
• Mayer's parents concluded an uncontested divorce on May 27, 2009, and he addresses that heartbreak when he sings: "I still got faith. I call on both of my brothers. I got a mom, I got a dad. But they do not have each other."
• The song is reprised at the end of the album in a rootsier version with more harmonica.
• The Born and Raised album debuted at #1 in six countries:Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands and the United States. It also hit the top position on iTunes in 30 territories worldwide.