Mood:
party time!Topic: Entertainment
Tonight is the night I've been looking forward to for four months. This evening, my friend Nicole and I will be sitting fourth row at the John Mayer concert (yyyyeeeaaaahhh boy!).
Let me make it clear: I have seen John Mayer in concert more times than I can remember...in Chicago with Guster, in Cincinnti twice-once with Jack Johnson and once with the Counting Crows (I wrecked my car on the way there and still made it on time), saw him in New Orleans with Maroon 5, in Baton Rouge at the River Center, and saw him in Dallas with Colbie Caillat last summer.
Okay, so I know what he looks like. But do I know what he looks like from four measly rows away? No! And the mystery is about to be solved. Will this be the night I've been waiting for my whole life? Will it be the moment John and I lock eyes and finally fall in love? Will he see me and think I'm drunk and a horrible singer?
I think so.
Anyway, I plan on doing a review of the concert eventually, but in honor of Mayer's show tonight, I wanted to take a look back at his entire discography and pick out some favorites that I'm hoping to hear—those would be the songs I labeled in green. Yeah, I'm organized.
Inside Wants Out (EP)—1999
Let's face facts, no one heard this album until after they heard Room for Squares, so no one probably even knows this was his first. Anyway, it's quite good.
1. Back to You—Great song! It's mellow, clever, classic Mayer.
2. No Such Thing (demo)—This has to be the best version of this song, acoustic. Even though we've all heard this song a bazillion times, I like it. Best line: "Well I never lived the dreams of the prom kings and the drama queens, I'd like to think the best of me is still hiding up my sleeve."
3. My Stupid Mouth (demo)—One of my all time favorites. It's really the lyrics that get me here. Best line: "I played a quick game of chess with the salt and pepper shaker."
4. Neon—I keep saying I love all of these songs, but I really do! This song just reminds me of big cities and the people that must have grown up in them.
5. Victoria—This is the only album this song appears on, and it's really a beautiful one. Best line: "You might be asking, where is Tori tonight? Somewhere out on the highway I'm sure, she's fine."
6. Love Soon—I like the pace of this song, fast then slow, then fast then slow. A real gem.
7. Comfortable—When I saw Mayer play this song live, I had never heard it, but everyone else in the crowd knew the words. Now I know why, it's heartbreaking...and incredibly awesome! Best line: "She says the Bible is all that she reads and prefers that I not use profanity. Your mouth was so dirty."
8. Quiet—This song is like the precursor to "Home Life."
Room for Squares—2001
This is the album that introduced me to Mayer, and boy did I play the hell out of it. I still love it! Now it seems odd to listen to these pop songs, but I really love the clever lyrics on this album (and check out how different he looks on the album cover!).
1. No Such Thing—I was in 11th grade when this song came out, so it was a perfect fit for my life then. I blame my love for Mayer on the fact that we aren't that different in age.
2. Why Georgia—I can't tell you how many college road trips have involved me singing this song along the way. I love the progression, but really it just fit my life at the time. Best line: "It might be a quarter life crisis, or just the stirring in my soul."
3. My Stupid Mouth—Love it! Makes me think of all the fun dates I've been on (errr wait...).
4. Your Body is a Wonderland—Hello sexual. We've all heard this one is about the lovely Jennifer Love Hewitt, so then we found out what she was really doing last summer (ha). I enjoy hearing this song live, but it isn't a favorite.
5. Neon—Before we heard anything but acoustic guitar from Mayer, this song was a real treat with its warm electric chords.
6. City Love—Most definitely a fan of this one. It makes me think of New York City and I just love, love, love it. Best line: "Friday evening, we've been drinking, 2 AM I swear that I might propose."
7. 83—The more I listen to this song, the more I like it. Probably because the older I get, the more I wish I could be a kid.
8. 3x5—Definitely in my top five. I'm not big on taking pictures, but I am big on memories and this song explains it. Best line: "Today, skies are painted colors of the cowboy cliche."
9. Love Song for No One—I love the lyrics for this song, but I really can't get into the melody.
10. Back to You—This is the song all my ex boyfriends are singing.
11. Great Indoors—Reminds me of "Home Life" and "Quiet."
12. Not Myself—Eh.
13. St. Patrick's Day—Love! This song is nearly the preview to "Wheel," but I love the concept. The music reminds me of "City Love." Best line: "In the dark, on the phone, you tell me the names of your brothers and your favorite colors, I'm learning you."
Any Given Thursday (Live in Birmingham)—2003
This came out when I was a senior in high school. I remember coming to school on mornings of newspaper publication (around 6 am) and putting this CD on. Ah, memories. I'm not huge on live albums, but this one flows nicely...and he says funny things between the songs, which is my favorite part of seeing someone live.
{DISC 1}
1. 3x5—This version has a long intro that clearly confuses the audience until it gets into a few familiar riffs.
2. No Such Thing—I still like this song! Is it weird that because this album was recorded in Birmingham, every time I drive through it I think of John Mayer? Don't answer that.
3. Back to You—My ex-boyfriends are still singing this one.
4. City Love—And I still love this song.
5. Something's Missing—This was our first time hearing this song, and my first time falling in love with it! Best line: "You never know when it starts, until there's fog around the glass inside your summer heart."
6. Lenny/Man on the Side—Yet another debut! And this goes to the top of my Mayer chart. This is the sweetest song...EVER! Not to mention the great blues guitar he's got going on. Best line: "I fell in love with the dream that I built of you, playing the part of the queen."
7. Message in a Bottle—The remake...but still good.
8. Love Song for No One—Still just okay.
{DISC 2}
1. Why Georgia (full version)—The opening of this version is awesome. In fact, it makes me like the song even more.
2. Your Body is a Wonderland—The best part of hearing this live is everyone giggling and screaming when he says "bubblegum tongue."
3. My Stupid Mouth—John, call me.
4. Covered in Rain—SERIOUSLY. This has got to be my number 1 Mayer song, or a damn close 1.5. It's sweet, depressing, and it's got awesome guitar. I love singing to this one, no matter how horrible I sound. Best line: "Tonight we're gonna order in, drinking wine and watching CNN. It's dark I know, but then again, it's the brightest thing I got."
5. 83 (medley)—This one is still a great song, but Mayer adds in some "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" which makes it even better. Who knew?
6. Comfortable—Awwww.
7. Neon—This song sounds best live, I hate to say it, but it's true.
Heavier Things—2003
This might be my favorite album of Mayer's. Odd, I know—there wasn't much hype for this one and it didn't have many real hit records. Regardless, I love it. I've listened to it the most out of all my Mayer albums. PS. How cute is he on the cover with his one tattoo?
1. Clarity—this would go in my top 5 songs of Mayer. Honestly, I love the tune, the lyrics; there is really nothing like cranking up this beast and driving with the windows down. Best line: "The rock candy's melted, only diamonds now remain."
2. Bigger Than My Body—Remember this song? This was released as a single and had a music video, but I don't think it really caught wind. For the Mayer fans, it's a good song, but not one of his best.
3. Something's Missing—Me likey! I think I just like the hint of blues this song carries. It's sexy, slow, but still got DAT BEAT.
4. New Deep—Not really a fan of the "new deep." I can definitely groove to the beat of this one, but the lyrics are a little cheesy. Sorry, John, call me (I'm the new deep).
5. Come Back to Bed—Oh John, no. He tried to get another "Your Body is a Wonderland" out of this song, but it didn't work.
6. Home Life—This would be the theme song if my life had a television..."think I'm gonna stay home, live myself a home life."
7. Split Screen Sadness—I have always loved this song. It's sad, even a little depressing, but I love it! Best line: "All you need is love is a lie 'cause we've had love, but we still said goodbye."
8. Daughters—Awww...how can you not love this song? It makes my heart melt. For some reason, it reminds me of David Gray. Anyone else get that vibe?
9. Only Heart—Eh.
10. Wheel—Another love. I have a "thing" about airports. I love wondering where everyone is going and who they are. Yeah, weird, I know, but then Mayer wrote a song about it. Best line: "And if you never stop when you wave goodbye, you just might find if you give it time, you might wave hello again."
Try! (John Mayer Trio)—2005
This was a real shift from the Mayer we'd heard this whole time. He joined up with Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino in concert, to create one of his worst selling albums. It isn't my favorite, but there are still some great songs on this record.
1. Who Did You Think I Was?—The opening chords to this track are off the chain. This album introduced us to another side of Mayer—the bluesy one. And I love it.
2. Good Love is on the Way—I kinda like this tune. The lyrics are classic Mayer ("I'll be lonely, but I know I'll be okay"), but it's got a blues twist.
3. Wait Until Tomorrow—A nice upbeat showcase of a signing Mayer.
4. Gravity—Ah, our introduction to this lovely piece of ace. Love, love, love it!
5. Vultures—We hear vultures again later on Continuum, but I appreciate it being on as many albums as possible. I love this song!
6. Out of My Mind—Wowza! This is that slow blues I love. I can't even describe it, but it makes this song. Best line: "If they don't tell you that you're crazy baby, Lord, they're as messed up as you is."
7. Another Kind of Green—This is the only time we hear this song and I really like it. More of a pop sound, and very catchy. Best line: "So go and drift away from me, adopt some new philosophy."
8. I Got a Woman—The cover...
9. Something's Missing—Oldie but goodie. Always.
10. Daughters—This is a nice version of Daughters. It's slow and really showcases Mayer's guitar talent.
11. Try—I can't really dig this song. It's loud and fast...I just don't know.
Continuum—2006
I'm pretty sure you'd agree with me, Continuum might be Mayer's overall best album. There's pop, there's blues, there's love, there's...more love. This is a goodie.
1. Waiting On the World to Change—I liked this song when it first came out...but now it just makes me think of voting. For Obama.
2. I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)—I love the guitar in this one, nice and funky. Lyrics are kinda queer though. Still love you John, call me.
3. Belief—Another song I can groove to.
4. Gravity—Good God Almighty, I LOVE this song! Although it arrived on Try!, I cannot and will never get enough of this song. It's Mayer blues at its best. Best line: "Gravity, stay the hell away from me, gravity has taken better men than me."
5. The Heart of Life—This is another folky song. I can't dig it.
6. Vultures—This is my jam, totally. Although it certainly sounds like a song about paparazzi, Mayer denies it. Either way, I can't connect with the lyrics, but I love the music. Best line "I hear them whispering, they're trying to write it out. They've never gone this long without a kill before."
7. Stop this Train—When this album first came out, I wasn't too sure about this song, but the more I hear it, the more I love. Best line: "One generation's led the way for fighting life out on my own."
8. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room—Wow, did I used to love this song. It's got it all, blues, country, and badass lyrics. But my boyfriend at the time ruined it for me when he sang it to me, calling me a bitch. Thanks, asshole.
9. Bold As Love—The remake. Eh.
10. Dreaming With a Broken Heart—I am a sap, a romantic...but this one is just too much for me. That's not to say I haven't listened to it after being dumped and wallowed in my sorrows.
11. In Repair—LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I can't tell you how many times I've placed my life or a relationship in the "in repair" category. I heart this song. Best line: "Stood on the corner for awhile, to wait for the wind to blow down on me, hoping it takes with it my own wings, and bring some brand new luck upon me."
12. I'm Gonna Find Another You— This song makes me think of Jessica Simpson. End of story.
13. Can't Take That Plane— Ah, the bonus track of the album. I like it, but it doesn't fit in with the rest of the songs. It's fast and loud...nope.
The Village Sessions (EP)—2007
Okay, so we've heard all the songs on this album before. But this time they're acoustic and they sound delicious. I am a real sucker for anything "unplugged" and this fits my need. Yum.
1. Waiting on the World to Change (feat. Ben Harper)—this version is better than the one on Continuum. It's acoustic and hell, it's got Ben Harper.
2. Belief—Another goodie simply because it's acoustic. You can hear the nice guitar work on this version.
3. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room—SEXY! Best line: "You try to hit me, just to hurt me, but you leave me feeling dirty."
4. Good Love is on the Way—Just like "In Repair," this song speaks to my life in weird ways and I love it. If you see me singing in my car, it's probably to this one. Best line: "Done with broken people, this is me I'm working on."
5. I'm Gonna Find Another You—Jessica.
6. In Repair— I love it on the live albums, I love it on the studio albums, and I love it here. This album had a video with it on the making of this song, which really inspired me. It was written and recorded in a single day.
Where the Light is (Live in Los Angeles)—2008
At this point, Mayer fans waited two years to hear a full-length album. While this one is live, it was really hyped up, but also a nice collection of music. I love Los Angeles, and I love John Mayer, so it's no shocker that I love this album.
1. Neon—this version has a nice jam session in it.
2. Stop This Train—My true test for an artist is how good they are live. How close to the CD does it sound, or is it better? This is a great version of this song. Mayer, you pass.
3. In Your Atmosphere—New song! I am obsessed with this one. Of course I do, it's got sad lyrics. Best line: "I get on lost on the boulevard at night, without your voice to tell me 'I love you, take a right.'"
4. Daughters—By this point, I think this is a classic for live shows.
5. Free Fallin'—I'm not big on cover songs, but I love Mayer singing this. My parents love Tom Petty, so I grew up hearing this song. Great, great, so great!
6. Everyday I Have the Blues—Another new tune! And I dig this one. Best line: "Speaking of bad luck and trouble, well you know I had my share."
7. Wait Until Tomorrow—This song is live on two albums. I'd like to hear it acoustic. Ok, so I'd like to hear everything tomorrow.
8. Who Did You Think I Was—I still love the opening chords; makes me wanna rock my face off.
9. Come When I Call—This version is rather short for a live song, but I dig it. I just love how catchy (and true) this song is.
10. Good Love is On the Way—This is a good version of this song; his voice sounds top-notch.
11. Out of My Mind—At ten minutes long, this version of the song might just be a dream come true. There's a niiiiiice break down and build up for this song.
12. Vultures—I love it when he sings "down to the wire." Anyone else?
13. Bold As Love—Meh.
14. Waiting on the World to Change—Even though I get tired of hearing this song, I like hearing everyone sing along to it.
15. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room—How hot is this version? Pretty hot, can't lie to you guys. It's slow and his voice sounds awesome.
16. Why Georgia—He's still got it.
Battle Studies—2009
I previewed and reviewed this highly anticipated album a few months ago. But since I've had a chance to listen to it more, a few of my opinions have changed.
1. Heartbreak Warfare—I hate to say it, but I think this song might be a little too depressing for me.
2. All We Ever Do is Say Goodbye—Meh.
3. Half of My Heart (feat. Taylor Swift)—I love this song. I think I was indifferent at first, but I really like it and hey, I can relate. Best line: "Tried my best to understand all that your love can bring."
4. Who Says—I think I like the music video more than the song in this case (when does that ever happen?). It's a night out with Mayer...and boy, is it fun.
5. Perfectly Lonely—This was a favorite of mine when the album came out; it's catchy and the melody is upbeat even though it's about being alone. Well, it's still a good song, but not my favorite. I've moved on.
6. Assassin—Hello moved on! I love this song! The digital rain sound has found a place in my heart and even though this song is about a one-night-stand, let's face it: Assassinate Me. Best line: "To find the day is burning the curtains and the wine, in a little white room."
7. Crossroads—Eh. Not really digging this one like I was before. It's too doctored. I miss class Mayer...wait for it...
8. War of My Life—CLASSIC MAYER! This song reminds me of Stop This Train and I love it! The beat even sounds similar, but the singing is so steady and quiet. Sigh. Best line: "I've got a hammer and a heart of glass, I gotta know right now which walls to smash."
9. Edge of Desire—I loved this song before, but now I love it more than ever. It is the BEST song on this CD. I cannot get enough of it. Best line: "Wired and I'm tired, think I'll sleep on my clothes on the floor. Or maybe this mattress will spin on its axis and find me on yours." GOD I HOPE SO.
10. Do You Know Me—Meh.
11. Friends, Lovers or Nothing—This song doesn't do anything for me. It kind of reminds me of I'm Gonna Find Another You, which makes me think of Jessica Simpson. Gross.
Whew! If you've made it this far, congrats. I will be happy to hear any of this songs at the concert tonight, but I'd be happy if he just stood up there and jabbered away, who am I kidding? If you're going to the show tonight, look for me (I'll be the one kissing John Mayer).
