Drink Thursdays

It's called "Drink Thursdays", in which I talk about a person that I'd like to sit down and have a drink with, and why. And because I'm Catholic, damnit, and we're not Puritans. Here's the introductory post.

Today's guest is someone that people have strong, vocal opinions about.  Some people say he's a d*ck, a scoundrel, a cad. Other people say that his music is soulful, and heartfelt, and stirring. Some people say he is both.

John Mayer

Here is the thing. No one person is going to be all good or all evil. No, I'm not trying to excuse his actions or behavior, but I think that there can be a conversation about how a person's life experiences can shape their music and vice versa. I also think that having a conversation on writing some really amazing and heartbreaking lyrics, only to have people cheer you on for them and sing them with you. I would have a really hard time separating my emotions from my work in that context - being a performing monkey, essentially, when my heart broke in writing something. That would have to mess with your head.

I'll leave you with a few of my favorite songs of his - those you won't find are 'Daughters' or 'Your Body is a Wonderland' (I think they got overplayed and I can't stand them now).

http://youtu.be/-e1FHJkVoFE - Not embeddable, unfortunately, but please go check it out. It's "Stop This Train" and it's beautiful.





This video, in particular, is haunting for the imagery it invokes, and the story it tells.

But, I have to tell you that though I haven't heard all of his songs, this one is by far, my favorite. The way that he captures the sorrow, the grief, of a relationship lost, the catching of your breath, the despair. Cheers, John Mayer.