The John Mayer Trio is the brainchild of pop sensation John Mayer, who, in … Read Full Bio ↴The John Mayer Trio is the brainchild of pop sensation John Mayer, who, in 2005, decided to move his music in a new direction teaming up with Steve Jordan, and Pino Palladino, pursuing a more blues-influenced style and paying homage to the great musicians of his childhood days. In October 2005, they toured as the opening act for The Rolling Stones on some dates.

Who Did You Think I Was
John Mayer Trio Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Who did you think I was?

[Chorus]
You've got my number but I always new the score.
Who did you think I was?

Am I the one who plays the quiet songs?
Is he the one who turns the ladies on?
Will I keep shinein' 'till my light is gone?
Who did you think I was?

[Chorus]

Here is a line that you won't understand,
I'm half of a boy but I'm twice the man,
Carry the weight of the world in the palm of my hand.

Who did you think I was?
Who did you think I was?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Who Did You Think I Was" by John Mayer Trio are a reflection of Mayer's inner desire to be seen for who he truly is. The opening lines of "I got half a smile and zero shame, I got a reflection with a different name" suggest that the persona he is projecting may not be his true self. He is essentially questioning whether his audience perceives him differently from who he really is. The subsequent lines that state "Got a brand new blues that I can't explain, Who did you think I was?" calls into question whether his audience truly understands him and his music.

The song then transitions into the morning hours with the lyrics "In the morning when the day begins, I'm makin' my mind but change it back again. I am a shifter of the shape I'm in, Who did you think I was?" This suggests that he is a complex individual and that the audience may not fully understand him. The chorus, "You've got my number but I always knew the score, Who did you think I was?" reinforces this sentiment.

The final verse, "Here is a line that you won't understand, I'm half of a boy but I'm twice the man, Carry the weight of the world in the palm of my hand, Who did you think I was?" highlights Mayer's vulnerability and his ability to handle the weight that comes with his fame. Overall, "Who Did You Think I Was" is a thought-provoking song that invites the audience to question whether they truly understand the artist and his work.

Line by Line Meaning

I got half a smile and zero shame,
I am confident and I care little what others think of me.

I got a reflection with a different name.
I embody different personas depending on the situation, but they all make up who I am.

Got a brand new blues that I can't explain.
I have newfound emotions that I cannot easily express or articulate.

Who did you think I was?
I am curious about how I am perceived by others and if their expectations match my true self.

In the morning when the day begins I'm makin' my mind but change it back again.
I am indecisive and struggle with forming concrete opinions or plans.

I am a shifter of the shape I'm in.
I adapt to my surroundings or circumstances to achieve my desired outcome.

You've got my number but I always knew the score.
Others may think they have me figured out, but I know the truth about myself and am not easily fooled.

Am I the one who plays the quiet songs? Is he the one who turns the ladies on?
I have different sides to me, some softer and introspective, while others are more outgoing and charismatic.

Will I keep shinin' 'till my light is gone?
I hope to continue making an impact on the world and living up to my potential until the end of my life.

Here is a line that you won't understand, I'm half of a boy but I'm twice the man,
I have both youthful and mature aspects to my personality, making me a complex and layered individual.

Carry the weight of the world in the palm of my hand.
I feel responsible for the world and all its problems, but in my own way, I am doing what I can to make a difference.

Who did you think I was?
I am still curious about how others see me, and I am aware that this may change over time due to my different personas and my personal growth.

Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: JOHN CLAYTON MAYER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

T T

1y↑6

I got half a smile and zero shame,
I got a reflection with a different name.
Got a brand new blues that I can't explain.
Who did you think I was?

Every morning when the day begins
I'm makin' my mind but change it back again.
I am a shifter of the shape I'm in.
Who did you think I was?

[Chorus]
You've got my number but I always new the score.
Who did you think I was?

Am I the one who plays the quiet songs?
Is he the one who turns the ladies on?
Will I keep shinein' 'till my light is gone?
Who did you think I was?

[Chorus]

Here is a line that you won't understand,
I'm half of a boy but I'm twice the man,
Carry the weight of the world in the palm of my hand.
Who did you think I was?
Who did you think I was?

Pedro Yago

4y↑6

I got half a smile and zero shame,
I got a reflection with a different name.
Got a brand new blues that I can't explain.
Who did you think I was?
In the morning when the day begins
I'm makin' my mind but change it back again.
I am a shifter of the shape I'm in.
Who did you think I was?
You've got my number but I always new the score.
Who did you think I was?
Am I the one who plays the quiet songs?
Is he the one who turns the ladies on?
Will I keep shinein' 'till my light is gone?
Who did you think I was?
You've got my number but I always new the score.
Who did you think I was?
Here is a line that you won't understand,
I'm half of a boy but I'm twice the man,
Carry the weight of the world in the palm of my hand.
Who did you think I was?
Who did you think I was?

All comments from YouTube:

Tigran Does Music Stuff

5y↑840

And now I suddenly have the insatiable desire to start a blues rock trio of my own.

Derek Bravo

4y↑7

Tigran Does Music Stuff for sure! Me too

Tim.S

4y↑15

Do it! I started one recently and its the best thing ive done in a looong time.

rivolver ocelot

3y↑6

Do it I'll watch

Jamario Petitte

3y↑2

same

Possibly

3y↑5

You should lmao, not a lot of mainstream blues rock trios out there. Atleast the ones that I don't know of lol.

19 More Replies...

Carlos M

8y↑396

This guy is the "virtuoso" of THIS time. Awesome performances, specially those with the "Trio" (without a "second", "third" guitarrist, without keybords, nothing ). In the future will be considered a GuitarHero, I have no doubts. He masters his instrument as few NEVER did before - he is very versatile and skilled musician and composer.

Derek Bravo

Carlos M amen

Anthony Navarrete

4y↑15

This aged well

João Magalhães

4y↑3

@Anthony Navarrete Ikr

Batman

3y↑8

I liked the trio ones as well but I found it curious that they sound the most "busy" out of all the performances from this show even if they contained fewer musicians than the last set.

Gabriel Ramon

3y↑8

@Batman I think the trio setting just allows for more interplay between the musicians since there is so much more space left to play around with compared to a large full band. I don’t mind hearing John, Pino, and Steve go off a bit. Fun to listen to

1 More Replies...

Benzel

1y↑69

That Power of Soul riff is such a hitter

Antony Parker

Power to Love* ;)

Benzel

@Antony Parker it's been called both ;]

belladonna2007

13y↑98

Hes surprisingly good in concert. I may not like everything on his albums but he is definitely a talented musician.

Paychek2822

Not much of a surprise. There all top notch musicians

Andy Clark

3y↑31

I get goosebumps every time I watch this. An awesome musician and guitarist accompanied by an awesome musician and drummer and an awesome musician and bass player. What a trio. It must have been an incredible gig to be at. Just fantastic.

A W

2y↑27

Love this. The John Mayer trio are awesome. The whole ' where the light is ' album and dvd is the best concert by miles .

Jimmy Supafly

4y↑164

If this doesn't confirm for you that Mayer is an absolute monster on guitar, I want you to go learn this song but make sure you are jumping up and down like the Energizer Bunny while you play it. After that come back and tell me you still feel the same way. Mayer is a top 10 guitarist easily. Really think about how easy it is to fill 10 spots too. I'm not even saying they have to still be alive either. Think about that .

The Honest Truth

3y↑15

Mayer is top 3 of all time.

Aside from the fact that he can sing like nobody's business.... his tech is just insane. He doesn't make mistakes

Jake

3y↑17

Hendrix, SRV, Mayer - not in any particular order.

Benjamin Ramirez

2y↑5

@Jake SRV* xD but i agree totally

Jake

@Benjamin Ramirez Auto correct apparently

freezyymeezyy

he is definitly in my top 5 thats for sure!

7 More Replies...

bloobloobie

13y↑24

One of the most talented musicians the world has to offer today.

Matheus Gaspar

still

ClarkKasheta

2y↑22

The way Steve Jordan leans into this fill (physically and musically) is pure musicianship. 1:43

Alexander Druganov

47w↑10

Perfect and absolute classic fill by Pino at 1:00

Enrique Ferreira

5y↑92

This is the hardest song to sing and play at the same time!

Tigran Does Music Stuff

5y↑13

Enrique Ferreira have you tried Neon? It’s even harder than this

Jaikumar venkat chari

3y↑19

@Tigran Does Music Stuff At this point did you really have to say 'Mine's bigger than your's ' ??????

iffat marufiza

3y↑2

One of the hardest yes but the hardest is still neon (i also tried this song while singing and yes it is difficult but i tried neon also and it is by far the hardest to sing while playing the guitar the right way with 2 fingers only but who did you think i was takes 2nd place on how difficult it is while singing and playing the guitar)

aarnav tonpay

2y↑12

@iffat marufiza idk man, neon's singing sort of fits with the music. I feel the hardest song to play while singing would be something where the singing is incoherent from the guitar. Edge of desire is pretty difficult like that, where you really have to concentrate to get both things sounding proper

Antoine Aquino

2y↑10

@aarnav tonpay faxx edge of desire is harder to sing and play only people who sing and play both knows it

7 More Replies...

Mc Pappy

2y↑1

The break gives me goose bumps every time. Just brilliant.

rhykko77

10y↑12

Some of my fav Mayer guitar playing ever !

Molon Labe

48w↑8

Pino is a monster on the bass I've been working on learning the bass line of this song for about a week now I just have to tighten some things up and I'll be playing this song with my band at our up coming gig. Learning this song made me appreciate the skill of the people performing it.

Ryan Spencer Lauderdale

27w

And he's using such a classic sound. P-Bass into an Ampeg.

Faure Dueñas

2y↑2

Simply great! To have a current reference like this super group is a huge motivation!

m ww

1y↑4

Complex tempos. Rhythm and lead WHILE singing. He's a MASTER.

Someone Special

2y↑5

This is one of many reasons why I prefer to listen to him live rather than the studio recordings.

Linda X

12y↑3

LOVE IT

T T

1y↑6

Bia Rutherford

6y↑15

Estou viciada nessa música em pleno 2017 quase 2018

hbkguilherme

5y↑1

2019 BR

Alecsander Harrison

@hbkguilherme 2020 hihi

Marinita

9y↑153

We need this back.

Marinita

7y↑1

thank you 😍

1 More Replies...

Pingüino Surf

4y↑4

...buenísimo trío!!!!!!! ...los tres me encanta lo que hacen en esta rolita...

Pedro Romero

5y↑39

Best drum & bass ever

Fidel Rivera

3y↑15

Very SRV vibe to this great song! I love it. What a showman

Anne Mosher

43w

Get "where the light is" john mayer live in los angeles, it won't disappoint!!! W O N D E R F U L!!!!

Darren Lim

1y↑8

Fuckin best trio ever. I am a drummer and a guitarist but Pino Palladino is just out of this world!

Pedro Yago

4y↑6

Jeremy Thornton

5y↑4

This is killer!

mesa41141

2y↑1

Man, what a group!!

joe mahma

12y↑6

my favorite version. check out his pedals compared to jack whites live set up. yet both artists blow my mind.

me

2y↑36

Pino's lick at 1:00 get's me every single time

Austin Cox

43w

bro me too it gets me just right 😓

Sylvie Guilbert

5y↑2

OMG...this is all I am able to say...I am Hypnotized!!!!! Luv this!!

Clara

11y↑8

Cara foda !

Mc Pappy

2y↑2

Somebody please explain the time signature to me? This song would be hard as hell to do. Mayer really is the total package.

luuk341

2y↑1

Its 4/4 but the Rhythm makes it follow the beat on 2 bars and then 2 on the offbeat I think

Daniel C

What a rockstar

Sujaya Narula

2y↑5

This is such a pretty Guitar 😍

Michael Zervas

2y↑4

Hendrix's tribute guitar from Monterrey Pop festival.

Sairam R

1y↑1

@Michael Zervas such a good looking strat looks like it's been made out of love

LilTum Or

3y↑124

I’ve been waiting so long for this video to be available in my country

Megan Lee

Asia?

Ningsangjemba Walling

@Megan Lee Yeah

Ningsangjemba Walling

This and why Georgia

teevee tvdesign

next time better move…

2 More Replies...

Devon Hayes

13y↑2

Amazing.

Jamie Payet Official

Wow! I’m just completely blown away!

L. H.

6y↑6

Power to Love!!!

jules Palliser

2y↑1

This song almost excites me too much - its so edgy and melodic. Fu..kin great!

JstinStinny

27w

We need more JM Trio in this world.

Jackson Simmons

3y↑1

This is my favorite song

Toddobvious

2y↑1

If the other guys in the band aren’t pretty then you know they are badasses

inspirationalguy

gotta love this trio

Paul Gerlach

2y↑13

3:10 when pino hits the octaver pedal I felt that

gulmar123 Gustav

1y↑2

Pino Palladino .... masterclass !!! 👍

Mike Stevens

2y↑1

Mayer is a phenom Can you hear Cream
And Hendrix influence

MoodyTeen

3y↑1

Best song ever

Estray One

John Mayer, Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan is the best thing that happened to music since the 70s. Fuckin change my mind

Ayuttaya Ambient

2y↑3

And...let's not forget the master bassist Pino Palladino!!

Rod Hubbard

2y↑11

Steve Jordan is a drum god!,,,

Rodrigo de Piérola

2y↑2

He's just sick. He's got enough goove for 20 drummers. He attacks the drum set like it dissed his mum. Awesome!! And him with Pino are just illegal.

Luis Gomes

11y↑4

And you, Sir, are a genius.

SIRI Diary23💫

7y↑30

Such a fkn totally underrated player. ?He's John "Mayor of Blues" Mayer

Mark Humber

27w

I'm really interested in how you would properly notate this song. Most of the scores I have looked at vary. It is not really in the key of D or A as such. I suspect one way to look at the verse would be to consider it in A mixolydian, which shouldn't even have a key signature, as the main riff is on an A7 chord (which is simply a I7 blues chord if it is a blues in A). The chorus seems to be more in F# Blues and maybe that works for the whole song (as it moves between C and C# notes), but still not sure what the key signature should be then. I am not a guitarist and would be interested in what experienced guitarists could suggest would be the best choice of mode or scale for soloing over this song.

SIRI Diary23💫

9y↑154

Pino Palladino's bass brought me here. They are killin this Hendrix cover

lu mariano

6y↑25

Sam St. Aubin, not a Hendrix cover🤣

Will Anderson

6y↑25

Lucas Kenui The little bit at the end is an excerpt of The Power of Soul by Jimi so it kinda is...

Lähded

4y↑1

Will Anderson its just a cuote

Yetti Man

3y↑6

The end is power of soul / hendrix..lol. love it

2 More Replies...

J:.

3y↑4

Steve Jordan: The quintessential drum virtuoso.

Humble Servant

1y↑1

I first heard this played in a small restaurant in Changsha, China. It blew me away!

Swag OD

John Mayer Metal AF

BlueMonk25

4y↑9

John is great...but this song is nothing with out Steve and Pino.

Steve

No doubt the rhythm section is phenomenal. Perfect setup for Mayer to be playing over

Jeff Ferris

I wonder what percentage of that crowd is crazy about the song and how many are crazy for John lol

Starswag 321

2y↑5

Omg, just realising now that he is switching pick ups at 03:40 and is not picking, so sick

Danular

13y↑20

if trent reznor was a blues singer, this is what he'd sound like

Edward Bautista

3y↑14

Only the real ones remember the only video available for us to watch was “Pino Palladino playing bass” 😂

Rodrigo de Piérola

2y↑2

And we bassists were happy for that. Pino is just on a different galaxy here.

Gabriel 22

2y↑1

Yeah Pino fricken phenomenal !!!

Sam

3y↑4

Tighest Modern Rhythm section. Period

Chunai de Marto

John💞

Mathieu Moreau

51w

John doing his best Stevie Ray Vaughan impression...I do love this, though.

hueler huelin

35w

Hendrix**

Luis PG

12y↑21

that second part starts with a riff from jimi hendrix power to love

Eduardo Scanegatta

1y↑1

Pino!!!!❤❤❤❤👏👏👏👏

Katelyn G

13y↑6

John is God.

Edward Bautista

3y↑3

I know for a FAT ASS FACT THAT THE FANDOM HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO TO BE LEGALLY WATCHED ON YOUTUBE 😂😂

Ivan Pezzella

34w

🔥🔥🔥rock on 🤘🏼🤘🏼 & Pino Palladino Is a gasoline

danimalplanimal

2y↑3

He threw a little Jimi in there towards the end. Fitting, considering the replica guitar he's playing!

Caroline S

13y↑1

Very first! He is so talented!

CRAQUE DA FULERAGE

Quem veio por causa do Braguinha tbm ?
Fera demais hahaha

Mr. Pete

41w

Really good stuff, but the impressive part is that he got Mark Zuckerberg to play bass

katr

2y↑1

my alarm ringtone

Sujaya Narula

The way I gotta know about this guitarist is but asking Google to list top 10 guitarist 😄

Joyu Makarasi

2y↑2

Nice SRV tribute and respect

fizzaldin

2y↑1

Its his own song

Joyu Makarasi

@fizzaldin it resembles the sound and style of Srv quite clearly. He even mimics the singing style…. Mayer is a huge srv fan. Cheers.

Keith Remedy

46w

@Joyu Makarasi it’s more far more Hendrix tbh. SRV didn’t have any tunes in this key with this kinda rhythm but Hendrix does which is why the outro is from power of soul & why it fits so perfectly with johns song

KAUÊ RENAN DA SILVA -VIVENDO A PALAVRA DE DEUS

Red hot chilli Peppers, Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton, all styles in only music.

Laboratory Management

Paul was the foundation of this show!

Raging Bulls - RATM Tribute Band in Korea

John Hendrix ❤

SIRI Diary23💫

7y↑13

JOHN MAYER I'M ASKING YOU TO PLS BRING THE TRIO TO TORONTO. THEY'D APPRECIATE YA

Tawni Davis

7y↑2

your dreams are coming true

Fender Boss

51w

God he sounds so much better with fender

Big Tay

44w

Finally, someone else said it. The silver sky is cool but it just ain't the same.

naoko noguchi

4y↑2

you are the best.!

SIRI Diary23💫

9y↑20

He's playing n singing this BETTER than JIMI
YA I said it

SIRI Diary23💫

8y↑1

***** wow you serious?! I was told it was Jimi's. He keeps getting better than i thought he was haha

Marcelo Munoz

+Xenobia Ten You must be confusing with "Wait until tomorrow". That song is from Jimi and he does a killing version.

SIRI Diary23💫

8y↑1

Marcelo Munoz yea I am lol I always mix the 2 up! Both are killer

Ignacio Oviedo

8y↑3

yea but in the final he play Power of soul by jimi (sorry for my english)

2 More Replies...

Jacob McCaslin

1y↑1

Pino at 1:00 is life

Chase Heatwole

His fender Strat sounds so much better then that PRS

Jorge Avendaño

Give it away,give it away,give it away now!

pinecone

3y↑7

Headphones highly recommended - gotta get all of that Pino on the low end.

ElFreeMan

Can someone answer me this? This song exists on studio version? I can't find it nowhere

Diah dani

2y↑1

My man

Thomas Roberts

didn't know how little I knew ===== the more I know-------------- the DEEPER I FALL.SEEMS THERE MUGHT BE NO END TO FALLING INTO YOU

jason mccool

1y↑1

Great nod to the Band of Gypsies and to Stevie Ray.

Joshua Vaughn

he sounds like stevie here vocally

John Mann

Boss....

Cesar Molina

But i always knew the score jajajajaja

Miguel Rojas

5y↑7

The only Hendrix cover in this concert is "Wait until tomorrow"

Javier Mariscal

5y↑7

Miguel Rojas and bold as Love

Max Fruchtman

And the end of this 🤪

Kenneth Wilson

3y↑4

Pino and Steve, Wow!

Load More Comments...

More Comments

just now