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John Mayer: A Modern-Day Musician's Journey

Explore the life and music of John Mayer, a talented musician who started his career in the early years, gained mainstream fame, and continues to create impactful music. Learn about his influences, collaborations, and personal experiences that have shaped his journey. Discover the stories behind his hit songs, such as "Daughters," "Half of My Heart," and "Stop This Train." Join us in this Music 1010 presentation to gain insights into the world of John Mayer.

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John Mayer: A Modern-Day Musician's Journey

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  1. John Mayer A look into the life of a modern-day musician Music 1010 Presentation By Jessica Williams

  2. Artist Biography

  3. The Early Years • John Mayer was born October 16, 1977. • He was raised by highly educated parents and although the same was expected of him, he soon ventured into the world of music. • He bought his first guitar with money he raised working at a gas station • 1996 Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster

  4. The Early Years (cont.) • Left the Berklee School of Music to pursue performing • Moved to Georgia with a close friend to begin playing at local venues • Attracted young students and appealed to the “artsy” crowd • Throughout this occupational transformation, his musical style grew from bluesy jazz to mainstream pop

  5. Media Exposure Mayer releases his first album called Inside Wants Out in 1999 Performs at the South by Southwest music festival where he signs a record deal with Aware Record Label Released a second album called Room For Squares which received a great deal of media attention.

  6. Scaling the Charts • Begins dating Jennifer Love Hewitt • Influences his music, as he claims she is his “muse” • John wins Grammy in 2003 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance • “Your Body is a Wonderland” • 2 additional Grammy Awards • Song of the Year for “Daughters”

  7. John Mayer Trio Although many viewed “Daughters” as one of his biggest hits, Mayer was not convinced John Mayer Trio formed in 2005, joining pals Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan Seemed Mayer again returned to the bluesy side of music Collaborated with many fellow musicians Released album, Try! in 2005

  8. Continuum After the Trio was disbanded, John followed his solo career to produce Continuum, including songs such as “Waiting on the World to Change” Scaled Billboard charts and won two additional Grammy Awards Gained mainstream fame and became a pop idol

  9. Dating Life • John drops off the musical radar to pursue romantic relationships • Publicly dates many celebrities • Jessica Simpson • Cameron Diaz • Minka Kelly • Jennifer Anniston • By 2009 he was working on his music again and won two more Grammys for “Say” and “Gravity”

  10. Recent Musical Works Releases Battle Studies in November of 2009 Contains hits “Heartbreak Warfare” and “Half of My Heart,” recorded with singer Taylor Swift Receives mixed reviews Current album is underway, although official date has yet to be announced.

  11. Composition History

  12. Daughters • Released as a part of Heavier Things in 2003 • First number one single • Grammy – Song of the Year • Won over Alicia Keys • Won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance • According to Mayer, it was originally a supposed “career death” • Much more sappy than most of his music up to this point

  13. Half of My Heart Released as part of Battle Studies in 2009 Recorded with country artist Taylor Swift Song debuted at #29 on the US Billboard charts Also appeared on multiple international music charts Released music video in 2010 Depicts Mayer as a “runaway groom”

  14. Stop This Train • Released in 2006 as part of Continuum • Composed with friend and former Trio member Pino Palladino • Written during a time of “solitary refinement” • Makes it a very personal song while Mayer was in a period of self-realization

  15. Listening Guides

  16. Daughters This song is very soft and sentimental. It evokes a care for “Daughters” everywhere and a general respect for women. The tone is warm and inviting throughout the entire song. It is familiar, which I believe creates a home-like feel to this piece.

  17. Half of My Heart This song is steady and upbeat, although the overall meaning of the song can be interpreted differently. It begins cautious and mellow and builds up with use of crescendos and decrescendos. As it is also a duet, the dual voices accounts for much of the melodic feel to this piece. As it is depicting that he is unable to give his whole heart to her, it is significant where Mayer sings alone, as that represents the pieces of himself that are his own.

  18. Stop This Train • Mayer succeeds in making it clear to the listener that the song is as a train – steady, constant, and unchangeable. • Although the timbre changes momentarily, it always returns to it’s constancy • This represents life’s challenges, but also shows that the “train” of life does not stop after a bit of darkness • The composer uses the tempo to express urgency, as exhibited at 2:31

  19. “I hope that what it comes down to at the end of the day is that people believe that I believe what I’m singing. [Music] comes down to being believable. “ - John Mayer

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