Let’s play some good old-fashioned word association involving singer/songwriter Jason Mraz and his friend Charlie Mingroni.

Thanksgiving.

Gratitude.

       Gratitude Cafe.

              Jason Mraz.

                     “The Remedy.”

                             Charlie Mingroni.

Charlie Who?!

Charlie Mingroni, a best friend of singer/songwriter Jason Mraz got cancer at a young age. His struggles inspired the song, “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” that launched Mraz into star status. The key lyrics: I won’t worry my life away.

Other important excerpts from the beginning of the song:

I saw fireworks from the freeway and behind closed eyes I cannot make them go away
‘Cause you were born on the fourth of July, freedom ring
Now something on the surface it stings
That something on the surface it kind of makes me nervous who says that you deserve this
And what kind of god would serve this? We will cure this dirty old disease
If you’ve got the poison I’ve got the remedy
The remedy is the experience. It is a dangerous liaison
I say the comedy is that its serious. Which is a strange enough new play on words
I say the tragedy is how you’re gonna spend the rest of your nights with the light on
So shine the light on all of your friends because it all amounts to nothing…

Although the song was originally released on the 2002 album Waiting for My Rocket to Come, the newer reggae version recorded live during the singer’s “Gratitude Cafe Tour” (named for his favorite vegetarian restaurant) and featured on 2009’s Jason Mraz’s Beautiful Mess: Live On Earth is my favorite.

Below is a video of Mraz and his band performing the reggae version: