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.
Serenade
John Mayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rest of us, we're born to disappear
How do I stop myself from being just a number
How do I hold my head to keep from going under
Down to the wire
I wanted water but I'll walk through the fire
If this is what it takes to take me even higher
When the world keeps testing me, testing me, testing me
How did they find me here, what do they want from me
All of these vultures hanging right outside my door
I hear them whisperin', they're tryin' to ride it out
They've never gone this long without a kill before
Down to the wire
I wanted water but I'll walk through the fire
If this is what it takes to take me even higher
Then I'll come through like I do
When the world keeps testing me, testing me, testing me
Wheels up, I got to leave this evening
Can't seem to keep these vultures
Out of my tree, sometimes he says trail
Powers is made, by power being taken
I keep on running to protect
Sometimes he says control my situation
Down to the wire
I wanted water but I'll walk through the fire
If this is what it takes to take me even higher
Then I'll come through like I do
When the world keeps testing me, testing me, testing
Whatcha gonna do about it?
Whatcha gonna do about it?
Whatcha gonna do about it?
John Mayer’s song “Serenade” is a reflection on the pressures that come along with the pursuit of success. The opening lines, “Some of us, we’re hardly ever here / The rest of us, we’re born to disappear,” create a contrast between those who achieve great success and those who fade into obscurity. Mayer is questioning how he can avoid becoming one of the many people whose potential is never realized. He asks, “How do I stop myself from being just a number / How do I hold my head to keep from going under.” Mayer is aware of the irony that, in his quest to achieve fame and fortune, he may become just another nameless face in the crowd.
The chorus of “Serenade” is an affirmation of Mayer’s determination to surmount any obstacle that comes his way. He sings, “Down to the wire / I wanted water but I'll walk through the fire / If this is what it takes to take me even higher / Then I'll come through like I do / When the world keeps testing me, testing me, testing me.” Mayer is willing to endure the trials and tribulations that come with the pursuit of success, even if it means facing criticism or ridicule from others.
Throughout “Serenade,” Mayer also expresses frustration with the constant scrutiny and pressure that comes along with being a public figure. He sings, “How did they find me here, what do they want from me / All of these vultures hanging right outside my door / I hear them whisperin', they're tryin' to ride it out / They've never gone this long without a kill before.” Mayer feels as if he is being constantly monitored and judged by others, and that people are eagerly waiting for him to fail. However, he remains steadfast in his determination to succeed.
Overall, “Serenade” is a powerful and introspective song that explores the challenges of pursuing success and staying true to oneself in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Some of us, we're hardly ever here
Some people are not fully present in life or disconnected from it.
The rest of us, we're born to disappear
Others seem to be born to never last long in this world.
How do I stop myself from being just a number
How can I avoid being reduced to just a statistic or a meaningless figure.
How do I hold my head to keep from going under
How do I keep myself from succumbing to pressures or challenges.
Down to the wire
Reaching a critical point or moment where every decision matters.
I wanted water but I'll walk through the fire
Despite craving something easy or pleasant, I am willing to endure hardship or danger.
If this is what it takes to take me even higher
If this is what it takes to reach the next level or to grow further.
Then I'll come through like I do
I will persevere and come out on the other side as I always have.
When the world keeps testing me, testing me, testing me
When the world keeps challenging me or putting me to the test.
How did they find me here, what do they want from me
Feeling attacked or pursued by others, wondering what they are after.
All of these vultures hanging right outside my door
Being surrounded by opportunistic or predatory people who are waiting for me to falter.
I hear them whisperin', they're tryin' to ride it out
Hearing people talking about me behind my back, waiting for something to happen.
They've never gone this long without a kill before
They are surprised that I have not failed or been taken down yet.
Wheels up, I got to leave this evening
I have to leave now and get out of here as soon as possible.
Can't seem to keep these vultures
I cannot seem to avoid being preyed upon by these people.
Out of my tree, sometimes he says trail
Feeling out of control and like I am losing my mind, sometimes following a path that others suggest.
Powers is made, by power being taken
Those who have power took it from someone else to begin with.
I keep on running to protect
I keep moving and fighting to protect myself and what is important to me.
Sometimes he says control my situation
Sometimes I try to take control of my own situation and make things happen on my terms.
Whatcha gonna do about it?
What are you going to do to respond to this situation or challenge?
Contributed by Violet V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sonnyvsp
At 3:50 john remembers that he's actually in love with the guitar and the songs about his guitar lmao
Jonathan Dean
lmao
UsernameStartsWithU
Damn his voice was great here!
Tigerhunter887
@Sven Svensson 2009
Sven Svensson
When was this?
Leo Paracampo
that's true!
postcardsfromj
JM sounds so so so so so good here!
De Prins Van Mokum
"Even I'm wet." 😂😂😂
Fernanda Plaisant
Oh My.. I wish he was singing to me!
Lynx The Glorified
Did anyone here that guy yell out at the the end "we get it!" While John was singing "honestly you..." 😂