In 2003, he won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for the 2002 single "Your Body Is a Wonderland" from the album Room for Squares.
In February 2005, he was awarded the Song of the Year Grammy for his song Daughters, which he composed while in the shower, from the album Heavier Things. In winning the award, he beat out such contenders as Alicia Keys, and Kanye West. He dedicated this award to his grandmother, Annie Hoffman, who died in May 2004. He also won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, for which Elvis Costello, Prince and Seal were also nominated. In 2007, John won 2 Grammys, one for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, for the song "Waiting On The World To Change," and also Best Pop Vocal Album for his album Continuum.
To date, Mayer has toured with many groups, including Maroon 5, Guster, Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, Teitur, Ben Folds, and Sheryl Crow.
In 2004, Mayer worked with hip hop artist and producer Kanye West, appearing both on Go and Kanye West's Bittersweet (released in the summer of 2007 as an iTunes pre-order bonus track to the album Graduation) and received praise from rap heavyweights like Jay-Z and Nelly. When asked about his ubiquitous presence in the hip hop community, he said, "It's not music out there right now. That's why, to me, hip-hop is where rock used to be."
It was around this time that he began hinting at a change in his musical interests, announcing that he was "closing up shop on acoustic sensitivity." In 2005, he began a string of collaborations with various blues artists, including Buddy Guy, BB King, Eric Clapton and jazz artist John Scofield. He also toured with the legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, which included a show at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.
Although Mayer has maintained a reputation for being a sensitive singer-songwriter, he is also an accomplished guitarist influenced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Freddie King and B.B. King. In this regard, he has released an album with his band The John Mayer Trio Try!, which features a blues-rock style reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix.
In September 2006, Mayer released his third studio album, Continuum. The album, written and produced exclusively by Mayer (with the help of Steve Jordan from the John Mayer Trio) is a culmination of Mayer's growth as an artist and continues with the blues-rock style that he began to flirt with on Try!.
Also notable is John Mayer's various adaptations in style. He always maintained a blues tone, he introduced a rockier edge. However, in Continuum, he adopts a calmer genre, returning to his previous styles.
On November 17, 2009, Mayer's fourth studio album, Battle Studies, was released and debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart. The album consists of 11 tracks with a total time of 45 minutes. The first single from the album, "Who Says", was released on September 24, 2009 in advance of album, and was followed on October 19 by the single "Heartbreak Warfare" and the single "Half of My Heart" released on June 21, 2010. Despite the album's commercial success, critics were mixed with their praise; while some reviews were glowing, calling it his "most adventurous", others called the album "safe" and noted that "Mayer the singer-songwriter and Mayer the man about town sometimes seem disconnected, like they don't even belong in the same body.
Following his recovery from vocal surgery, Mayer returned to the studio. On June 18, 2013, Mayer announced from his Facebook page that his sixth album, Paradise Valley, would be released on August 13, 2013. On the same day, he released a lyric video for the new album's first single, "Paper Doll", on his YouTube page. The release date was later changed to August 20, 2013. "Who You Love" featuring Katy Perry followed as the album's third single and a music video was released on December 17, 2013 for the song. The album, which also includes a collaboration with Frank Ocean, was met with positive reviews from music critics. Mayer embarked on a tour, his first in three years, in support of Born and Raised and Paradise Valley. The American leg of the tour ran from July to December 2013 with Interscope recording artist Phillip Phillips serving as support act. The tour will visit Australia in April 2014.
Love Is a Verb
John Mayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It ain't a thing
It's not something you own
It's not something you scream
When you show me love
I don't need your words
Yeah love ain't a thing
Love ain't a thing
Love is a verb
Love ain't a crutch
It ain't an excuse
No you can't get through love
On just a pile of I-O-Us
Love ain't a drug
Despite what you've heard
Yeah love ain't a thing
Love is a verb
Love ain't a thing
Love is a verb
So you gotta show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
That love is a verb
You gotta show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
That love is a verb
Love ain't a thing
Love is a verb
In John Mayer's song "Love Is a Verb," the singer explains that love is not a thing or an object that one possesses, but rather an action, a verb that is shown through actions, not just words. He suggests that words are not enough to express love, and that one needs to demonstrate it through physical gestures such as affection, care, and kindness. The song emphasizes that love is not a crutch to rely on, nor an excuse for past wrongdoings that can be remedied by an insincere "I'm sorry" or a gift. It's something that one must earn through consistent, genuine effort and dedication.
Mayer believes that love is not a drug, either. Despite what some might have heard, love does not provide a temporary high that fades away over time. Instead, it is an ongoing process that requires patience, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Both parties involved must work together to create a healthy and loving relationship that lasts. Through this song, Mayer encourages listeners to take proactive steps in demonstrating their love, showing their partners that it's not just a thing that they have, but an action that they are committed to taking.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is a verb
Love is an action that requires effort and intentionality, rather than just a passive thing that you possess or receive.
It ain't a thing
Love is not a tangible or material object that can be acquired or traded for.
It's not something you own
Love cannot be possessed or controlled, as it is a mutual feeling that comes from within.
It's not something you scream
Love is not expressed in loud or dramatic ways, as it is a subtle and genuine feeling that is shown through actions, not just words.
When you show me love
When you demonstrate your affection and care for me, without the need for grand gestures or words, that's when I truly feel loved.
I don't need your words
Words alone cannot convey the depth and sincerity of love, as actions speak louder than words.
Love ain't a crutch
Love is not a means to an end, nor is it a way to fill a void or dependency in your life.
It ain't an excuse
Love shouldn't be used as a way to justify bad behavior or as a way to avoid taking responsibility for one's actions.
No you can't get through love
You can't experience love in a meaningful way by just exchanging material items, as love requires a deeper connection and commitment.
On just a pile of I-O-Us
Love cannot be measured or repaid with just money or promises, as it requires genuine effort and sincerity to maintain.
Love ain't a drug
Love is not an addiction or a crutch for emotional stability, as it should be a healthy and fulfilling aspect of one's life.
Despite what you've heard
Love is often portrayed as a temporary or fleeting feeling, but in reality, it has the potential to last a lifetime when nurtured and valued.
So you gotta show, show, show me
To truly express your love, you need to actively demonstrate it through consistent actions that show your commitment and devotion.
That love is a verb
Love is not just a feeling, it is something that requires action, effort, and dedication in order to be meaningful and fulfilling.
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: JOHN MAYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind