Music Review: Travie McCoy & Jason Mraz "Rough Water"

Travie McCoy & Jason Mraz

Rough Water

Album: 2013

Year: N/A

         Travie McCoy  clings to a struggling relationship in the  backhanded   “Rough Water.”

              A genial guitar opens the single, setting an adoring tone. Jason Mraz sings the chorus. He needs her to promise to stay with him forever. Their on-again, off-again relationship will face more hurdles ahead. He will be there for her. She is someone who he holds dear.  (“Hey oh, never let go of me (Never let go)/Hold tight, it’s gonna get hard to breathe (Hold tight, hold tight)/Never never let you drown (never), even if we’re going down (Going down)/Hey oh, never let go of me/When I’m sinking.”)

            McCoy forgives for her broadcasting their private problems. He’s not at all pleased it happened. However, as long as she doesn’t do it again, he’ll be fine. Besides, he cheated on her years ago. She has to keep in mind that he loves her. At this point, it’s the only reason he gave her a second chance. He says he will be the best boyfriend. She only has to remember to be as equally devoted to him. He tells her not to be upset  by his his conditions. She has to be aware that there are rules and they must be followed. (“Loose lips sink ships that’s what someone told me/But this boat will stay afloat for as long as you hold me/We been through rough water anytime it was tougher/But the fact I came back to remind you I love ya/And if that’s not enough, well I can one up ya/I pinky promise touch thumbs I’ll never make you suffer/And all I ask in return is some reciprocation/I’ll be your oxygen when you’re running out of patience/So take a deep breath, and hold it tight/My heart is yours just reassure me that you’ll hold it right/Don’t be offended, I’m just the cautious type/To always be around and hold you down and never under, like.”)

           Mraz sings the chorus again.

          He says they are soulmates. They may have a tumultous love, which is misunderstood. Some people call them dramatic. Others have said they are toxic. However, he adds they are just like Jack and Rose in Titanic. He would die for her. If he ever does something wrong, she has to think of what he’s telling her now. (“This is my message in a bottle, I hope that you receive it/If it washes up at your feet then open it and read it/To whom it may concern, insert your name here/It’s destiny that we were both born in the same year/Three months apart, but on the same sphere/Staring at the sun, inhaling the same air/This type of love we got, they’ll never get it/I’ll be the Leo DiCaprio to your Kate Winslet/Sometimes I panic but I never take it for granted/I’ll hold you ‘til my lips turn blue like Jack in Titanic/And if I lose my grip, then just promise me this/You’ll keep my love in a locket and always rock it, like.”)

          Mraz sings the chorus again.

          In the bridge, McCoy first thought he was better off finding someone else and their relationship was worth saving. However, they started talking again. He didn’t expect her to answer the phone. But she did. He figured since they worked it out, they are now a couple people would ship on a television show. (“There’s times where like/We find it hard/To hold on to something/That was never meant to be held onto/But you let it go/If it comes back it was meant to be/If not, just let it be/C’mon.”)

         Mraz sings the chorus one more time to end the single.

         McCoy’s autocratic rap uses her apology as a way to get the upper hand.  After everything, she put him through, she’s lucky they are even back together. It’s also given him leverage. For her mistake, she has to perfect from now on or he will end the relationship.

        Titanic, although a classic, it’s also a movie that teen listeners would’ve grasped two generations ago. It is also dates McCoy, given it what he consider the top love story of all time. Squeezing in a reference to Noah and Allie from the Notebook would’ve made sense.

      Mraz’s sweet-tempered vocals are sensitive, realizing some fault has been done on his part. He is what McCoy is unable to be: a selfless boyfriend. His chorus is a half-song wasted.

                The lordly  “Rough Water” sets vague terms and applies  impossible conditions for the subordinate in the relationship, which is the woman.