The Heart Of Life is the fifth song on John Mayer's third studio album, Continuum. It runs 3:19 minutes in length. The song features Mayer playing a finger-picked guitar line played on his signature Fender Stratocaster and is double tracked with Mayer playing the lead part and solo on a Fender Telecaster. In live performances, Mayer is often known to play only the rhythm part, leaving his backing band to play the leads.

The song's lyrics denote an optimistic tone. The song's chorus is a good example: Pain throws your heart to the ground. Love turns the whole thing around. No, it won't alll go the way it should But, I know the heart of life is good.

this is the entire songtext:

John Mayer - the heart of life

I hate to see you cry

Lying there in that position

There's things you need to hear

so turn off your tears

and listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground

love turns the whole thing around

no it wont all go the way

it should

but I know the heart of life is good

You know it's nothin' new

bad news never had good timing

then the circle of your friends will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground

love turns the whole thing around

no it won't all go the way

it should

But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground

love turns the whole thing around

fear is a friend who is

misunderstood

but I know the heart of life is good

I know it's good, I know it's good

oh i know it's good

oh i do i do i do

oh i know its good