John Mayer is a talented singer-songwriter well known for his soulful voice and impressive guitar skills. Over the years, he has built a strong reputation with hits like Your Body Is a Wonderland and Gravity.

Mayer’s unique combination of pop, rock, and blues has earned him a loyal fan base. His albums, including Continuum and Room for Squares, have topped charts worldwide.

Last but not least, his ability to write soulful songs and perform them with raw emotion has made him one of the most respected artists in contemporary music.

About the Song

Walt Grace’s Submarine Test is a heartfelt song about pursuing dreams against all odds. The song mixes Mayer’s signature storytelling style with a deep emotional connection.

It tells the story of Walt, a man who builds a submarine to escape his small town life. The submarine symbolizes courage and the desire to find the unknown.

Read the Lyrics of Walt Grace’s Submarine Test

Verse 1

Walt Grace
Desperately hating his whole place
Dreamed to discover a new space
And buried himself alive

Inside his basement
Tongue on the side of his face meant
He’s working away on displacement
And what it would take to survive

Pre-Chorus

Because when you’re done with this world
You know the next is up to you
And his wife told his kids he was crazy
And his friends said he’d fail if he’d try

Chorus

But with the will to work hard
And a library card
He took a homemade, fan-blade
One-man submarine ride

Verse 2

That morning
The sea was mad and I mean it
Waves as big as he’d seen it
Deep in his dreams at home

From dry land
He rolled it over to wet sand
Closed the hatch up with one hand
And peddled off alone

Pre-Chorus

Cause when you’re done with this world
You know the next is up to you
And for once in his life it was quiet
As he learned how to turn in the tide

Chorus

And the sky was a flare
As he came up for air
In his homemade, fan-blade
One-man submarine ride

Verse 3

One evening
When weeks had passed since he’s leaving
The call she planned on receiving
Finally made it home

She accepted
The news she never expected
The operator connected
The call from Tokyo

Pre-Chorus

Cause when you’re done with this world
You know the next is up to you
Now his friends bring him up when they’re drinking
At the bar with his name on the side

Chorus

And they smile when they can
As they speak of the man
Who took a homemade, fan-blade
One-man submarine ride

Similar Songs Like Walt Grace’s Submarine Test

Like Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, these songs reflect on the emotional challenges and the hope that comes with perseverance.

• The Heart of Life: A gentle song that focuses on finding strength and comfort during life’s struggles, with a hopeful message.
• Stop This Train: This song is about fearing aging and wishing to stop time, filled with deep emotions and a sense of longing.
• Back to You: It is about trying to return to someone despite obstacles and the emotional journey of love and loss.
• I Will Be Found (Lost at Sea): A song about feeling lost and disconnected, but also searching for self-realization and emotional recovery.

Similar Artists Like John Mayer

These artists, like John Mayer, combine soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics, creating music that connects with deep emotion and understanding.

• Dave Matthews
  Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, Acoustic
  Top Album: Crash (1996)

• Jack Johnson
  Genre: Folk Rock, Acoustic, Pop Rock
  Top Album: In Between Dreams (2005)

• Eric Clapton
  Genre: Blues Rock, Classic Rock
  Top Album: Unplugged (1992)

• James Bay
  Genre: Pop Rock, Alternative Rock
  Top Album: Chaos and the Calm (2015)

Frequently Asked Questions

What Inspired John Mayer to Write This Song?

Mayer was inspired by a nautical-sounding guitar riff and wanted to create a story about someone building a submarine, which led to the imaginative narrative of Walt Grace.

Has the Song Inspired Any Notable Fan Theories or Discussions?

Yes, fans often debate whether Walt Grace represents John Mayer himself and discuss the song’s ambiguous ending and deeper meaning.

Has John Mayer Considered Expanding Walt Grace’s Story?

Yes, Mayer has mentioned having an outline for a longer story and has daydreamed about turning Walt Grace’s tale into a film or storybook.