Running Through Halls and Flames

Members of the Spec Music and Editorial sections recently had an impromptu roundtable discussion on the enigma that is John Mayer, who recently released his latest album, Heavier Things and will perform at Madison Square Garden next Monday. The main topic that riled everyone was the meaning of Mayer's current residence in the public spotlight. While some may think Mayer is undeserving of his fame, and that his image contributes to a less-than-desirable reputation, others believe he has good qualities and deserves his success. Needless to say, John Mayer makes for an interesting debate about music and about pop culture.

Jayanthi: So, what do you think about the new single, "Bigger Than My Body" ?

Liz: There's a really sad line in "Bigger Than My Body." But I'll gladly go down in a flame / If a flame's what it takes to remember my name. That's just pathetic.

Jayanthi: Why?

Liz: I'm just wondering what line of his poetry will be that which renders him into the musical history books. Did you know, Jayanthi, that "people love to tell [him] to stay inside the lines?" [From "No Such Thing, a song off of Mayer's first album, Room For Squares].

Jayanthi: Well, I guess. I mean, he dropped out of Berklee School of Music. That was pretty revolutionary... for a "rock star." I don't think the "flame" lyric is as pathetic as it seems. He's probably insecure about something tangible, whether it's his family's admonishments to "stay inside the lines," or just something else, like his poor self-esteem. Maybe he's worried about his place in the mainstream world of music.

Liz: It's just sad to me that he sees himself as leaving a lasting impression on art culture. Look out, T.S. Eliot, there's a new kid in town, and he knows how to use the word "condescendingly." It's the most awkward use of an adverb I've ever heard in a Top 40 song.

Jayanthi: Would you say, though, that he's a good composer of pop music? I mean, I separate him from specifically rock musicians. I think John's a good guitarist, and he has a way with vague lyrics that people can relate to in all types of contexts.

Liz: He might be good at guitar, but in order to be a pop musician, you have to be a good icon, and he's just the lamest icon I can think of. He honestly makes the whole white race look lame. Why do I have to suffer that burden?

Anna: I feel like his image and his fanbase--the certain people who are his fans--have led others who like rock music to perceive him as the embodiment of the suburban culture. He's the cool kid in high school that everyone hated out of jealousy.

Liz: So you think people resented him out of jealousy?

Anna: I loved him when I was sixteen, but I started to dislike him because his image became so mainstream.

Liz: He is the embodiment of suburban culture. As a rock star or a pop star, he has free reign to be a self-indulgent, egotistical, misogynistic guy, and he should do something with that, but he's not doing anything worthwhile with the opportunity that's been given to him. I'm just trying to explain why he's a lame rock star. What do you see in him that's appealing?

Jayanthi: I don't see him as a rock star, per se. I think he's a good pop musician: he's doesn't write guitar-centric music, which frustrates me, because I think his greatest talent is his guitar work. What I really find appealing is that on his two albums, he constructed songs that indicated some sort of subdued ecstasy, not unlike Dave Matthews. Then again, he's always compared to Dave Matthews. I just think that his lyrics are well written enough so that anyone--especially a female teenage demographic--can relate to them. Everyone can relate to wanting to "run through the halls of my high school." What I'm getting at is that he's a great pop lyricist, and that's what's driving his success.
Liz: So you're saying he's a good pop lyricist because he appeals to this demographic of adolescent girls, or because he figured out how to appeal to them?

Jayanthi: The best way I can explain is that one time, on one of those VH1 list-type shows, someone described U2's The Joshua Tree as universally appealing because anyone in the world could relate to them. I think John works somewhat on that level.

Liz: So, it would be fine by me if he were appealing to teenage girls in a bubble, but the fact is that his presence has been pushed upon me and the rest of society. For a time, I couldn't walk into a Subway restaurant without hearing about how "someday, he's going to soar." Furthermore, his sustained cultural presence has just encouraged this genre of lame folk singer-songwriters like Dave Matthews, and Counting Crows, and Jason Mraz to flourish.

Jayanthi: Everyone has the right to make their own music, man. I think all those guys have something which other musicians don't, which is the ability to appeal both to the masses and to the industry. While it may seem like selling out, you've got to give them props for the work that they've put into their careers.

Liz: Granted, but if I ever run into John Mayer on the street, I'm gonna rob him blind and not feel bad about it.