In 2011, Mayer underwent surgery for Granuloma of the vocal chords, a condition that's plagued the likes of Adele and Keith Urban as well. Drama aside, the best part of the song is its music video-a parody of a viral internet tutorial on 'Prancercizing.' Not even a Frank Ocean feature on 'Wildfire (Reprise)' could bump this one up on the list, but it's due more to the strength of the rest of his catalogue than to the failures of the album. That history also comes into play with 'Paper Doll,' a song rumored to have been written about Taylor Swift. And some have said his heart's too hard to hold,' is a fitting, self-aware reference from Perry about Mayer's tumultuous dating history. The line ' My boy, he ain't the one that I saw comin'. From a mainstream point of view, there's only one hit to be found on this record: a duet with then girlfriend Katy Perry called 'Who You Love ,' which flexes both of their vocals (mainly Perry's) and some damn good harmonies. He carried that over to the following year with Paradise Valley which leaned into its predecessor's country/folk vibe. Here's how his seven studio albums stack up against each other.ДЄfter a long hiatus from the spotlight, Mayer's Born and Raised in 2012 surprised and delighted fans with a new sound. It's called 'Say,' and you can hear it faintly playing at your local chain restaurant, department store, or in an elevator. That lovesick boy on Squares has become a man with an innate ability to articulate questions about the world we live in-which we hear in his latest single, 'I Guess I Just Feel Like.' From my extremely subjective point of view, Mayer has really only ever made one bad song. If you grew up listening to Mayer, you've listened to him growing up through his music as well.

Since his 2001 debut with Room for Squares, Mayer has produced seven studio albums. Not convinced on that last point? Listen to him go to work toward the end 'Gravity' from his live album Where the Light Is: Live in LA, wipe the tears away, and tell me I'm not right. Mayer's ability to articulate the human feeling is only trumped by his status as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation. But before all of that, Mayer is a musician, and a damn good one at that.

John Clayton Mayer is many things: a style icon, a late-night-Instagram talk show host, a reformed provocateur, a thinker.

John mayer where the light is red cover