John Mayer released his third album, Continuum, in September of 2006. This album included his nation-wide hits such as “Waiting On the World to Change”, “Belief”, and “Gravity”. This album was thought to be more deep and “blues-like” unlike his other pop-rock style albums. Mayer showed his fans in Continuum that he views the world with unblinking clarity. His songs included in this album are instantly accessible and memorable, which influences listeners such as myself to thoroughly enjoy his work. Each song gives off a certain vibe and sends the fans a message through his lyrics. His major hit, “Waiting On the World to Change” deals with his exploration of political inaction of his generation that rings true. “Stop This Train” explores the topic of fear and death and finding wisdom within one’s self at a certain age. One other piece of work, “Gravity”, gives us a view on the concerns of self-destructive thought. It is easy to say that John Mayer’s album, Continuum is an album that speaks to people at different intensities. I can compare this album to the lecture of Ken Heffner we listened to in class on January 11. Throughout Ken’s speech about art and what art makes possible for us, he emphasized that we are always searching for artists who have the ability to hit the nail right on the head. In my opinion, John Mayer is one of the few artists in the music industry these days that has the ability to speak through people. People all of the country turn to music when it comes to expressing feelings in a stronger way rather than just words or phrases. Ken Heffner said that, “music and phrases can be stretched out and make a stronger point that a normal statement being spoken.” I completely agree with that statement. For example, in the song “Belief”, John Mayer sings, “Belief is a beautiful armor, it leads for the heaviest sword”. Those words were stated in a “story-telling way” that leaves us listeners to feel and understand his feelings to the fullest. Although most of his words comfort us by being able to relate issues we have in our lives to his lyrics, in some ways music can give us a negative impact. For example, in Heffner’s lecture he discussed the views girls have on the song written by John Mayer, “Your Body is Wonderland”. He talked about how this track makes his fans, mostly females, think “he gets it, he understands.” Sin reveals itself by changing our third or fourth priorities, and making them first. Music is completely capable of doing this, especially the lyrics that are written by artists such as John Mayer. In my own personal opinion, I believe that Continuum is an album that is able to reveal life in the Kingdom of God. John Mayer’s music reveals and exposes us to the truth in impacting ways.
- Have you ever listened to a song or a poem that spoke through you and you realized, “Wow, this is exactly how I feel!”? Why do you think music has such influence on people who feel like this?
hg Do you believe that artists like John Mayer reveal life more through the Empire or more through the Kingdom of God?
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I think people are affected by music that makes them feel like that because they like to know that someone else has those same feelings- that they aren't alone. They can relate and find comfort in knowing someone else is going through what they are.
ReplyDeleteI believe that artists like John Mayer reveal life more through the Empire rather than the Kingdom of God. Their songs sell better because people like the Empire- it's attractive. The Kingdom of God doesn't have the same affect; there are some hits that talk more about the Kingdom of God, but it's not what we often hear. We usually hear songs with bad language that are in some way, shape, or form about sex because sex sells.
My mom and I love John Mayer because he speaks to us like he knows us. My mom would always blare "No Such Thing" every time she played "Room for Squares" because it expresses freedom. (I did want to blare No Such Thing on the last day of high school because I was overjoy that I escape the nasty depths of high school.) Another song that I can say that expresses me is "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" from the album "Continuum". Whenever I would have a breakup, I would refer back to this song because John Mayer captures my feelings at that moment with lyrics like "The giving up is the hardest part".
ReplyDeleteIn short, artists like John Mayer are such an influence on people due to the lyrics and music that helps to express a person and their feelings.
-- Amy Braun
Interesting observations, everyone, about the appeal of John Mayer. He's on the cover of the newest Rolling Stone, which has a lengthy feature about him. Unfortunately, it seems to reinforce a lot of what Katie mentions in her post: Mayer seems to be completely preoccupied with himself and with sex. And so, while he certainly is capable of compelling insight, it seems that a lot of his songs end up echoing his hedonistic worldview.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I don't know what it means, then, that so many folks are genuinely attracted to his music. Perhaps his desire to get women into bed gives him the motivation to understand them and communicate effectively with them. I don't know ...