say what you will about his lifestyle, his hairdo, even his fashion choices of late, but i have to hand it to john mayer, the lyricist. i mean, i don’t know about you, but i sure don’t want to live in a world without the knowledge that jennifer love hewitt’s body is a wonderland (she’s the one rumored to be the subject of said chart-topper).

but in all seriousness, j.mayer released an album a few months back with bit more of a twangy feel, compliments of his reincarnation as a montana-based cowboy. and while born & raised isn’t my favorite of his musical collections (spoiler alert, that title belongs to 2003’s clarity), there is one song in particular that i quite fancy. its construction is quintessential john; a sway-worthy beat complimented by lyrical pithiness. it’s short, only two minutes and change, but i can’t help but love the sentiment expressed with every strum of the guitar.

love is a verb
it’s ain’t a thing
it’s not something you own
it’s not something you scream

when you show me love
i don’t need your words
yeah love ain’t
love is a verb
love ain’t a thing
love is a verb

love ain’t a crutch
it ain’t an excuse
no you can’t get through love
on just a pile of i-o-us

love ain’t a drug
despite what you’ve heard
yeah love ain’t a thing
love is a verb
love ain’t a thing
love is a verb

so you gotta show, show, show me
show, show, show me
show, show, show me
that love is a verb

you gotta show, show, show me
show, show, show me
show, show, show me
that love is a verb

love ain’t a thing
love is a verb

“love is a verb” | born & raised | john mayer

because truly, homeboy has a point; if i’ve learned anything in my 27 years (my goodness do i use this phrase a lot, don’t i?) it’s that love ain’t a thing, babe [i can’t help but feel like there needs to be a superfulous “babe” inserted here] love is a verb.