I remember first hearing 'No Such Thing' on WFUV, my radio station in New York. It was the first single out of Mayer's first CD Room for Squares. I was in grad school and WFUV was my arbiter of good music. Although the song came from the perspective of a high schooler, I was then approaching my own threshold and, in some ways, felt that I needed to prove something--if not to the world, then to myself, at least. I guess I was going through my quarter-life crisis. (That was also around the same time that Jonathan Safran Foer came out with his debut novel, Everything Is Illuminated, and I wanted to hate him for being so young and talented, but he he turned out to be a real mensch when I actually got to meet him at a signing. Here's a short story by Foer that others might find gimmicky but, personally, I found it delightful and heart wrenching at the same time.)
I got to see John Mayer one summer after having received from WFUV a free ticket for an afternoon concert at Central Park. I took my eternally snarky friend LT, who's also a big music snob, with me and he complained about the bubblegum-ness of the songs. It did not help that there were way too many teen-aged (or at least, teen-age looking) girls in the audience. And it was raining just before the concert started. I enjoyed it, though. That was just right before John Mayer broke through as an artist.
Mayer has mad skills as a guitar player, and he can do pop, rock, jazz, or blues. And not only does he know how to write good melody, his lyrics resonate with me. Must be an age thing.
Oh, Johnny Boy... You might have questionable taste in women--Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Aniston, and God knows who else--but I still think you are a great musician and a thoughtful songwriter.
Dreaming With A Broken Heart
When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part
You roll outta bed and down on your knees
And for a moment you can hardly breathe
Wondering was she really here?
Is she standing in my room?
No she's not, 'cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....
When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The giving up is the hardest part
She takes you in with her crying eyes
Then all at once you have to say goodbye
Wondering could you stay my love?
Will you wake up by my side?
No she can't, 'cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....
Now do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hands
Do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hands?
Do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hands?
Do i have to fall asleep with roses in my , roses in my hands?
Would you get them if i did?
No you won't, 'cause you're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....
When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part
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