I am an architect
Of days that haven’t happened yet
I can’t believe a month is all it’s been
You know my paper heart
The one I fill with pencil marks
I think I might have gone and inked you in
Little by little
Inch by inch
We built a yard with a garden in the middle of it
It ain’t much
But it’s a start
You got me swaying right along
To the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
It’s so good you didn’t see
The nervous wreck I used to be
I never thought a man could feel so small
You never look at me
Like I’m a liability
I bet you never think I’ve been at all
-Face to Call Home, John Mayer
Close your eyes and clone yourself
Build your heart an army
To defend your innocence
While you do everything wrong
Don’t be scared to walk alone
Don’t be scared to like it
There’s no time that you must be home
So sleep where darkness falls
Alive in the age of worry
Smile in the age of worry
Go wild in the age of worry
And say worry, why should I care?
No your fight is not with them
Yours is with your time here
Dream your dreams but don’t pretend
Make friends with what you are
Give your heart then change your mind
You’re allowed to do it
Cause God knows it’s been done to you
And somehow you got through it
-Age of Worry, John Mayer
Admittedly, John Mayer is kind of a kook. I can’t quite put my finger on whether I think it’s all an act. However…
I listened to Room For Squares on repeat. At the time, I had three tiny children, lived in Valencia, owned a double stroller, was just starting on my path towards photography, and lived at the play area in the mall. I know every word to every song on that album. The CD didn’t leave my car stereo for a long time. It reminds me of that hazy part of my life so much…literally takes me right back. (Your body is a wonderland was where I drew the line, however.) When Continuum came out, I just felt like, nope. I was kind of over John Mayer.
When his newest release Born and Raised came out last week, I wasn’t at all excited about it. But I took a listen and I was grabbed all over again. It is always so cool when a musician is going through something similar to me. There are so many lyrics in this album that make me say, YES! YES TO THAT. Super convenient to find something to listen to that makes you think or connect. Music gets me through the day, every day – so when an album or song comes out that I can relate to, I hold on. It helps me through.
This is one of those albums.
I’m wondering if you plan on giving Continuum another try.
I wasn’t so fond of it at first either but I gave it a month or so and tried it again. It’s hard to say, but I think I like it better than Room for Squares now.
Yes! Me, too. I had a lot more respect for John Mayer after listening to this interview: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/25/153634845/john-mayer-on-world-cafe
He’s gotten wiser.
thanks for sharing these songs…!
Oh. my. gosh. I have felt the *exact* same way. I was obsessed with Room For Squares. It transports me to my senior year in high school. It’s such an amazing album. Heavier Things wasn’t quite the same… but I thought, it’s the sophomore slump. Then I got Continuum.. and it just didn’t grab me in the same way. Since then, I’ve bought each CD, but especially with “Battle Studies,” he’s lost me a little more each release along the way. Room For Squares had so much raw honesty and soul wrapped up with that great catchy melody.
I bought “Born and Raised” hoping for a re-connection to John Mayer. Now that you’ve enticed me.. I’m going to start listening right now!
one of my most favorite kooks. love. him.
Yes, give Continuum another try. “Stop This Train” alone was just so touching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BTzNX5OMN4
“So scared of getting older
I’m only good at being young
So I play the numbers game to find a way to say that life has just begun”
I’m a total dork so I’ve loved JM since Room For Squares. Just bought this record too. Love that it’s less cheese and more soul. Sounds even a little country which I love too. BTW. I loved your post below, about your outdoor space. I have a screened in porch waiting for some love. I want to sit out there in the morning and drink my coffee too. Soon. Hopefully soon. xo
moving to Montana and being out of touch with la can do that to an artist :)
I’ll have to check it out! Just like you, I loved room for squares. Loved. Saw John Mayer perform at a small club in San Francisco. Felt like we had discovered a gem. Until the rest of the world discovered him too. The next time he came to town, he played in a stadium, he got all crazy and was in the tabloids, and the magic was gone. But maybe it’s back?
Ohhh thank you for the recommendation. I am a total music person, very eclectic in my tastes, and I can not go a day without some music to inspire me. Like you, Room For Squares was on repeat in my car..at home..and it brings me right back to where I was at the time (younger, naiive, not really a GREAT place, but learning..growing).. anyway, I look forward to checking out JM’s new release. I can’t wait now! Thanks!!
I have to thank you for posting this. These songs and this album are exactly what I needed at a really hard time in my life. Thank you, thank you.
I have the same exact experience with my album. Really speaks to me in a sense that it sings about the very things I am going through personally. An album of transformation, and beautiful, too.
*that album*, not *my album*, lol. but i guess that just shows how much i connect to it, lol.