Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz brings his upbeat mix of pop and rock to Phoenix on Nov. 16. His latest album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things., has spawned the hits I’m Yours and Make It Mine. We asked Mraz some questions based on the quirky title of his new CD:
Song from the new disc that you love to sing onstage? I love singing Butterfly. Right now, we’re closing our show with it because it’s such an up moment. There’s a line in it that says, "I can’t recall a better day / The sun’s coming to shine on this occasion."
Song that’s most challenging to sing? There are a few where I’m surprised I wrote them in such a high range – a song called If It Kills Me and Only Human off of the new album. Every night I slap myself and say, "OK, next album, nothing in this key."
Biggest sing-along song? I’m Yours, undoubtedly. Sometimes our sound guy up front complains that our P.A. isn’t strong enough to overpower the audience.
Cover song you sang early in your career? I used to do Land Down Under by Men at Work, and also Summer Breeze (by Seals and Crofts). I still do Summer Breeze.
Favorite singers? Mel Tormé, and on the female side, there’s a woman from Lebanon named Fairuz. It is one of the most female voices ever.
Coolest stage to sing on? Mueller College of Holistic Studies. It’s a massage school in my hometown of San Diego that felt so bad that our favorite coffee shop across the street closed down that they opened up their school to us to keep doing shows.
Best dancer you’ve seen? Rerun from the TV show What’s Happening!! Also, Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He always had some good moves.
Your rating as a dancer from 1 (low) to 10? I’m going to give myself a 6.5. I can definitely hold my own, but I’ve yet to learn the technical skill to lead a woman around the dance floor.
Would you be on Dancing With the Stars if they asked you? I would. Not anytime soon. If they’re still doing the show in 10 years, I could see myself doing that.
Dance moves you did in high school? We had a dance move called the "jenk." It fit in with the Running Man, the Humpty Dance and the Electric Slide.
Something in your music you’ve "stolen" from another artist? I stole my current guitar technique from Raul Midon, who is a brilliant blind singer-songwriter who created his own percussive style on the guitar. Singing is everyone. Anybody I hear, I want to emulate them.
