In Defense of John Mayer

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
01/01/2015 at 19:05 • Filed to: None

John Mayer is not a great singer. That is well known. However, I noticed a lot of comments in my last post, regarding !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , that a lot of people are either unfamiliar with his work or just straight hate him. I'm here to set that record straight.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

So, I'm a fan, and I'll probably keep at it until I convert at least one individual.

Mayer is often written off to the male population due to his reputation or stigma as 'sensitive songwriter guy." It's pretty easy to understand where that comes from. With songs like, "Your Body Is A Wonderland" and especially, "Daughters." While daughters is a good song, is most definitely a song aimed at young girls; and basically is done so with no metaphor or simile.

Mayer didn't even want "Daughters" to be a single. While he was pushing for the song, "Come Back To Bed" (A bluesy 6/8 ballad), the label pushed for John to release "Daughters." His argument was literally, completely verbatim, that he would be known as 'sensitive songwriter guy." He didn't want to be pigeonholed for the remainder of his career.

However, the single was released and won a Grammy, so he did alright. The everlasting effect of 'sensitive songwriter guy' still sticks to this day.

Cracked.com wrote a piece mentioned Mayer that Whitetrashsteve commented with that made a lot of sense:

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

I've been that guitar player before, and the concerts are unreal. Anyone who's a fan of Hendrix, Clapton or SRV would be more than satisfied at a Mayer concert.

Alongside major guitar talent, which will be presented later, he certainly a talented songwriter. Yes, there are some duds, but the Beatles also released, "Eggman", "Dig It" and "Maggie Mae." If anyone wants to refute these, I'll just bring up, "Wild Honey Pie." I'm even a raging Beatles fan, but that song was shit.

Below, to showcase the guitar and lyrical talent, I have the Live in LA version of "Neon." Keep in mind watching this that this is one person, with one guitar.

Anyone who has ever played a guitar in their life knows how hard it is to play lead patterns while singing; that's why 98% of lead singer guitar-players are just strumming power chords, the automotive equivalent of just adding performance muffler: It sounds okay, but it's not any better than the average person.

For any blues fan, I can guarantee you that Mayer is one of may two or three people than can cover Hendrix properly.

Early in his career, he paired up with Clay Cook, who's now the multi-instrumentalist glue that holds together the Zac Brown Band. Below, I have an early Mayer song being sung by Clay Cook, because he's an infinitely more talented singer.

Say what you want to again, and I'll be eager to hear comments, but the guys can write quality songs.

Finally, I have, "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room." One of my personal favorites, I think it's a really good blend of great songwriting and sheer guitar talent. Have a listen through the whole thing.

This next video below will definitely be a strange one. It took me a couple listened to kind of get it. He is very, very clearly drunk of his face in this video. The singing is absolute shit, that's why I've moved the cursor to the bridge, or 5m 25sec, to showcase the solo. It just amazed me how somebody can play that well and with that much soul and feeling while be completely shitfaced at Red Rocks.

Feel free to post your opinions in the comments, I'll be really interested to hear what you guys think. Anyone who appreciates blues or just good music should enjoy this. Any guitar play should have their mind blown.

I've got plenty more song recommendations for anyone who wants to hear them.

Here's a six-door Jeep to keep it car related.

DISCUSSION (8)

Alfalfa > Jay Lauer
01/01/2015 at 19:11

The man is a beast on guitar. Sadly, being a beast on guitar isn't incredibly popular nowadays, so you don't hear that if you just listen to his radio songs.

Jay Lauer > Alfalfa
01/01/2015 at 19:14

This exactly.

He was pretty good with it early on, with "No Such Thing" which has about 43 complex chords in it, but those were acoustic pop-type songs. There just isn't much of a place for blues and guitar riffs on Top 40 anymore.

Mayer probably knows this, but already has a fan base, so just keeps doing him.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Jay Lauer
01/01/2015 at 19:42

Thank You! I'm that guitar player btw; trying to learn Neon right now, but its a bit different since I choose not to use my thumb for the bass string.

My favorite John Mayer song is when he did Ain't No Sunshine at Clapton's Crossroads:

And since you're going to bring up guitar playing, here's Gary Moore playing the hell out of Red House:

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Jay Lauer
01/01/2015 at 19:57

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Jay Lauer
01/01/2015 at 23:59

I think one of the biggest disappointments is how few guitar or even instrument based songs there are in the top 40. Drums have seem to take over the main background music.

bhardoin > Jay Lauer
01/02/2015 at 01:05

I happen to really like his singing. I've always kinda hated the production on his albums though, they always come off way too processed sounding.

Roundbadge > Jay Lauer
01/02/2015 at 08:01

I've been a fan of his guitar skills for some time. In the days when I considered becoming a pro drummer/pizza delivery guy (2000-2002), someone once asked me "what musicians would you really like to play with most?" My first answer was John Mayer.

Probably one of my favorite examples of your "play lead patterns while singing" comment can be found in his performance of "I Got A Woman" with the John Mayer Trio on the Try! album.

The following link is a performance of the same song, with the same group, but not the same recording. It still highlights what I was talking about though...

FKA-RacecaR > Jay Lauer
01/06/2015 at 12:23

He is one of the most underrated/overlooked MUSICIANS of today.