About the Artist

Who Sounds Like Who
Shawn McDonald  Jonny Lang  Dave Barnes  Phil Wickham 

John Mayer opened his 2019 world tour in New Zealand with this amazing song. Hmmm…

 

07/29/21 - John Mayer's 'Sob Rock' Rules At No. 1 On Billboard's Top Album Sales Chart

Who Is He
John Mayer attended Berklee School of Music and upon finishing up his studies, moved to Atlanta to fine tune his singing, writing and playing. His debut album, Room For Squares, introduced a rare talent, who was clearly just getting started. Now, 20 million albums sales and multiple Grammys later, he is known as much for his candid interviews as he is for his prodigious talent. His songs like "Waiting On The World to Change", "Daughters", and "Gravity" prove that he has important things to say. His unique voice and stellar guitar prowess have inspired countless young singer-songwriters, looking to meld Pop, Blues and Folk.

What Are His Messages
Mayer's music started very smart, though sometimes a bit sexual. With each passing album, he has matured into a phenomenal songwriter, with a gift to transparently speak to what it's like to grow up in the spotlight and figure out who you are under the microscope of fame. "Daughters" was an unexpected hit for him, encouraging fathers to be good to their daughters so they will find the love they truly deserve. A more recent song, "Shadow Days" speaks of starting over and putting the darkness of the past behind him. In his career, his music has touched on virtually every theme imaginable, often focusing on relationships, self-betterment, and growing up. His intellectual approach to songwriting, combined with his emotional vulnerability has made him into a rare kind of superstar in Pop music.

What Does a Youthworker Need2Know
It seems Mayer has made a career out of sending mixed messages. For every beautiful, encouraging song he has written, there seems to be a controversy that follows him. He has been lambasted for many interviews in which he has said many offensive things. Your students may have read some of these things and would rightly be offended. He does, however, seem to take these things in stride and instead of fighting back, puts those experiences into his music. His most recent album is self-deprecating, taking responsibility for things he has done and said, and looking to grow from them. Songs like those are ripe with discussion topics, especially for students, who are learning themselves how to cope with regrets and grow from mistakes made.