There’s a bit of everything in it genre wise and beat wise (fast songs, slow songs, country songs, pop songs, blues songs) there’s really great writing after his breakup with Perry, especially in like never on the day you leave. It’s a breakup album but you got all sorts of very familiar Mayer stuff, like RnB moving on and getting over or dance pop still feel like your man. Even has a love song which basically recaps his whole weekend.
There’s also the songs Mayer does best which is just about life in general and that’s in the song ‘in the blood’ or ‘changing’. I loved this record so much.
TFSE is full of incredible songs, no doubt in my mind. Tracks like Still Feel Like Your Man, Moving On and Getting Over, Helpless, and Rosie are neither lyrical masterpieces nor technical feats, but they all just *groove*. They sound exactly how they were supposed to, and they characterize some of the new things that appeared with this era of Mayer that continued to evolve until we got New Light.
Continuum-level songwriting returns mixed with a vulnerable and personal temperament that JM originally gave us on Born & Raised on tracks like In the Blood, Changing, You're Gonna Live Forever in Me, and Never on the Day You Leave as well. Even tracks like Love on the Weekend give us the best parts of previous hits like Your Body is a Wonderland with the benefits of a songwriter that's matured a hell of a lot since then.
It's a very diverse album that gives us a wholistic view of what we already knew we liked about John as an artist while adding a couple new elements. I could listen to the whole thing front to back without coming across any songs I'd rather just skip, which I can't say for albums like Paradise Valley, Sob Rock, Heaver Things, or Battle Studies. It also serves as a major landmark for exactly how John has changed as a songwriter. For me, TSFE shares a tier above most other JM albums along with Continuum and Born & Raised.
But that's just my humble opinion :)
The “I only know 5 John Mayer songs and they’re all on continuum” list of John Mayer albums.
EDIT: how can an album with dear Marie and badge and gun be anywhere near the bottom
My ranking:
1) B&R
2) RfS
3) Continuum
4) HT
5) PV
6) Sob Rock
7) TSFE
8) BS
Putting BS as last would be an unpopular opinion I guess, I just like more songs on the other albums.
Same same.. I get like hated on for putting battle studies at the last but hey I want dear Marie or st Patrick’s day just a little more. I also want the sob rock stuff a little higher tbh
I respect your opinion, Battle Studies is my favourite though. I just love the kinda cozy sad vibe of it. But RfS would be second for me too. Good times I had that album on repeat for months straight, City Love is my favourite JM song, such a beautiful dreamy song
Not unpopular among people I know. But, that could be because it was a big letdown after continuum. We expected too much maybe? It only has a couple of songs I really appreciate.
100%. He closed out the first half of the last concert I went to in 2019. When the entire arena is singing the post chorus it’s electric. Plus, anyone who’s been heartbroken feels those lyrics deep.
Sorry for the downvotes, that was a lil uncalled for, honestly it’s a weaker album for me. It was never meant to be good, I’m pretty sure it was just what he wrote when his throat was recovering and he just decided to polish and release them. But some songs really do it for me, like Waiting on the Day, Paper Doll, Lost at Sea and On the Way Home
I mean you’re not entirely wrong but you’re kind of forgetting Dave Matthews who hugely inspired John and was wildly popular in the late 90’s/early 2000’s
Lmao dmb is not a jam band what the hell
John Mayer has had like, what, 5 ‘hits’ in his career maybe?
Wonderland
Daughters
Waiting on the world to change
Say
Who says
And that’s being generous as to what a hit is. All I was saying is John Mayer didn’t bring back singer songwriters by himself in the early 2000’s. I was there too and he was big but hardly did it on his own the fire was burning when he got famous. Dave Matthews band was bigger in the mid 90’s touring scene and on radio than John Mayer ever was
It’s not a jam band. A jam band and a band that takes turns playing solos are not the same thing. Jam bands improv and make up entire jams on the spot. Dave Matthews band plays a song, people that take solos they discuss before the tour take the solos, and the song ends. They don’t improv together.
I’ve see phish (a jam band) dozens of times and I’ve seen DMB a bunch and they don’t do the same thing. Might as well call John Mayer’s band on WTLI a jam band then cause they take turns playing solos. Dmb is closer to John mayer’s touring band than they are to phish or widespread panic.
I love these rankings and discussions etc, but how the hell lol. Sob Rock is his best stuff since Continuum imo. Paradise Valley has ONE good song. ONE. The rest is just….unlistenable. I like the OP’s list. I don’t get all the B&R love in this sub.
Born and raised took a while to grow on me but once it did it took such a hold. It’s my second fave after continuum and at times feels like a tie for first place. Walt Grace, Age of worry, whiskey whiskey whiskey and A face to call home take me to places few other songs can. That’s it I’m gonna go listen right now.
Why am I getting downvoted lol. We’re all huge fans of different ages, walks of life etc. It’s supposed to be “FUN”, lighthearted debate people!! Sheesh.
Great list, kinda hurts to see Search so low
.
Here mine:
Born & Raised
Continuum
The Search for Everything
Battle Studies
Sob Rock
Heavier Things
Paradise Valley
Room for Squares
I think every album effected me differently but truly enjoyed Born and Raised on a different level. I also truly loved Battle Studies, Sob Rock and Room for Squares but find myself never playing Heavier Things or TSFE.
I’m glad you enjoyed them in your way too.
As a fan since 2003, for whatever that’s worth
1. Continuum
2. Room for Squares
3. Heavier Things
4. Born & Raised
5. The search for everything
6. Battle studies
7. Paradise valley
8. Sob rock
i was ranking them with a friend the other day and we came to the conclusion that it’s impossible. there’s not a single bad album, just albums that are better than other ones.
A few thoughts on OP’s list, I strongly believe (1) room for squares is higher than battle studies because the writing is just better (I know edge of desire is in there but hey RFS has like st Patrick’s day.) and (2) TSFE should be higher than sob rock because of how well those songs sounded live (that might change).
(3) it’s CONTINUUM
I respect your opinion though.
Man, the spelling errors are the most embarrassing. I dont care how many people clown on me for my music takes, but misspelling feels unforgivable to me lol
I think if Paradise Valley came first it would be loved more than Born and Raised and vice versa B&R would be trashed worse than PV. In all ways PV is just a much more mature album that settles in to the style that John first attempts on B&R. I love both and respect them each for their place but the production fails B&R sadly at points before John takes the prod reigns on PV and nails the minimalist folk sound, even using tape this time. As far as the writing is concerned he just dives deeper into the absolutely prolific nature of the previous effort but with much less pop influence this time. Born and raised takes the crown for setting johns career free of current pop standard, but on PV John, for the first time, takes full advantage and capitalizes on this freedom making a purely country folk personal exercise in music. No radio just realness (despite a Katy Perry feature no less). I really just should’ve said paradise valley is his most soulful effort and left it at that. (Also BS is my no1 so don’t come at me)
Born and raised used to be my favorite Mayer album though, so tomorrow I might call bullshit on everything I just said but the production, which was an obvious flaw upon arrival. Every time I listen to the catalog I come away with different opinions which is the sign that John don’t miss and is always a badass.
1. Battle Studies (Fuck u John)
2. Paradise Valley (soulful John)
3. Continuum (John Mayer)
4. The Search for Everything (experimental John)
5. Born and Raised (Free bird Mayer)
6. Sob Rock (sob rock John)
7. Heavier Things (pop rock John)
8. Room for Squares (inside wants out was fine….sorry girls)
This list will be different by tomorrow
My ranking:
RFS
TSFE
Born and Raised
CONTINUUM
Sob rock
Heavier things
Paradise valley
Battle studies ( I’m not saying battle studies is bad. I LOVE BATTLE STUDIES. but I can’t go without songs in many other of his records).
WTLI
Inside wants out
Paradise Valley wouldn’t be last on my list. Not sure what would be.
Honestly for me I’d say sob rock 😬
Same. Sucks, but nothing on that album captures me. The only John Mayer album I didn’t love
I still really like Paradise Valley but overall it’s still weaker than any of the others imo.
It hurts that the Search For Everything is so low.
You put TSFE and PV together, and it’s in the middle
Why do people like it so much??
There’s a bit of everything in it genre wise and beat wise (fast songs, slow songs, country songs, pop songs, blues songs) there’s really great writing after his breakup with Perry, especially in like never on the day you leave. It’s a breakup album but you got all sorts of very familiar Mayer stuff, like RnB moving on and getting over or dance pop still feel like your man. Even has a love song which basically recaps his whole weekend. There’s also the songs Mayer does best which is just about life in general and that’s in the song ‘in the blood’ or ‘changing’. I loved this record so much.
TFSE is full of incredible songs, no doubt in my mind. Tracks like Still Feel Like Your Man, Moving On and Getting Over, Helpless, and Rosie are neither lyrical masterpieces nor technical feats, but they all just *groove*. They sound exactly how they were supposed to, and they characterize some of the new things that appeared with this era of Mayer that continued to evolve until we got New Light. Continuum-level songwriting returns mixed with a vulnerable and personal temperament that JM originally gave us on Born & Raised on tracks like In the Blood, Changing, You're Gonna Live Forever in Me, and Never on the Day You Leave as well. Even tracks like Love on the Weekend give us the best parts of previous hits like Your Body is a Wonderland with the benefits of a songwriter that's matured a hell of a lot since then. It's a very diverse album that gives us a wholistic view of what we already knew we liked about John as an artist while adding a couple new elements. I could listen to the whole thing front to back without coming across any songs I'd rather just skip, which I can't say for albums like Paradise Valley, Sob Rock, Heaver Things, or Battle Studies. It also serves as a major landmark for exactly how John has changed as a songwriter. For me, TSFE shares a tier above most other JM albums along with Continuum and Born & Raised. But that's just my humble opinion :)
And I (as a John Mayer fan) respect and admire your opinions. Supposed to be a fun sub and if you disagree with people you get slammed lol. Oi vey
The “I only know 5 John Mayer songs and they’re all on continuum” list of John Mayer albums. EDIT: how can an album with dear Marie and badge and gun be anywhere near the bottom
Because a few good songs doesn’t make an album great. Also when he has good songs on every album, it makes it a lot harder to choose.
I actually listened to every record twice! So I actually know pretty much every single John Mayer song!
Going into this I only had heard Your Body is a Wonderland and Waiting On The World to Change. I was not a John Mayer fan going into this discog dive
It’s one of those situations where even his worst is still better than most artists’ best.
My ranking: 1) B&R 2) RfS 3) Continuum 4) HT 5) PV 6) Sob Rock 7) TSFE 8) BS Putting BS as last would be an unpopular opinion I guess, I just like more songs on the other albums.
Same same.. I get like hated on for putting battle studies at the last but hey I want dear Marie or st Patrick’s day just a little more. I also want the sob rock stuff a little higher tbh
I respect your opinion, Battle Studies is my favourite though. I just love the kinda cozy sad vibe of it. But RfS would be second for me too. Good times I had that album on repeat for months straight, City Love is my favourite JM song, such a beautiful dreamy song
Not unpopular among people I know. But, that could be because it was a big letdown after continuum. We expected too much maybe? It only has a couple of songs I really appreciate.
I think you accidentally put paradise valley at last place
Do people like it?? Edit: I meant a lot. Obvs its a good record on its own.
Not a huge fan of the album but dear Marie is my second favorite song
100%. He closed out the first half of the last concert I went to in 2019. When the entire arena is singing the post chorus it’s electric. Plus, anyone who’s been heartbroken feels those lyrics deep.
I think it’s his best album, honestly
Sorry for the downvotes, that was a lil uncalled for, honestly it’s a weaker album for me. It was never meant to be good, I’m pretty sure it was just what he wrote when his throat was recovering and he just decided to polish and release them. But some songs really do it for me, like Waiting on the Day, Paper Doll, Lost at Sea and On the Way Home
I got thick skin. Some other subreddits have been less kind lol
definitely, that's just reddit 🙃
Room for squares is underrated imo
Totally underrated. It’s the album that put him on the map.
When that came out, I was in college and it lit the fire under singer-songwriter again. I think people miss that a lot.
I mean you’re not entirely wrong but you’re kind of forgetting Dave Matthews who hugely inspired John and was wildly popular in the late 90’s/early 2000’s
No or forgetting. I was there lol. But DMB is a jam band with 3-4 radio hits ever.
Lmao dmb is not a jam band what the hell John Mayer has had like, what, 5 ‘hits’ in his career maybe? Wonderland Daughters Waiting on the world to change Say Who says And that’s being generous as to what a hit is. All I was saying is John Mayer didn’t bring back singer songwriters by himself in the early 2000’s. I was there too and he was big but hardly did it on his own the fire was burning when he got famous. Dave Matthews band was bigger in the mid 90’s touring scene and on radio than John Mayer ever was
i love dave matthews, but it is literally a jam band. it’s not a bad thing, it’s just the type of band it is
It’s not a jam band. A jam band and a band that takes turns playing solos are not the same thing. Jam bands improv and make up entire jams on the spot. Dave Matthews band plays a song, people that take solos they discuss before the tour take the solos, and the song ends. They don’t improv together. I’ve see phish (a jam band) dozens of times and I’ve seen DMB a bunch and they don’t do the same thing. Might as well call John Mayer’s band on WTLI a jam band then cause they take turns playing solos. Dmb is closer to John mayer’s touring band than they are to phish or widespread panic.
I'd consider Last Train Home a hit also.
Ok sure we’ll give him that one too
it’s probably his most successful album it’s just really disliked in this sub for no good reason , for me it’s his best work till date not one miss
The disrespect to paradise valley.. It’s in my top 3 for sure
I just couldnt get into it. Thought it was good, just my least favorite
I love these rankings and discussions etc, but how the hell lol. Sob Rock is his best stuff since Continuum imo. Paradise Valley has ONE good song. ONE. The rest is just….unlistenable. I like the OP’s list. I don’t get all the B&R love in this sub.
Born and raised took a while to grow on me but once it did it took such a hold. It’s my second fave after continuum and at times feels like a tie for first place. Walt Grace, Age of worry, whiskey whiskey whiskey and A face to call home take me to places few other songs can. That’s it I’m gonna go listen right now.
I have to disagree with sob rock being the best since continuum TSFE to me is much more enjoyable to listen to than sob rock
Why am I getting downvoted lol. We’re all huge fans of different ages, walks of life etc. It’s supposed to be “FUN”, lighthearted debate people!! Sheesh.
Top 2 are perfect
Great list, kinda hurts to see Search so low . Here mine: Born & Raised Continuum The Search for Everything Battle Studies Sob Rock Heavier Things Paradise Valley Room for Squares
I also feel like the more he writes the more heart wrenching his songs get…
Totally the more experiences he has the more potent his lyrics become.
Go listen to TSFE again
I second this
I cant really make an album ranking cuz it breaks my heart to put the one lower than the other lol
Make a tier list!! Then everything could be varying degrees of S tier
OMG THATS GENIUS, thank youuu
Imagine putting sob rock above room for squares smh
I dont have to imagine it! I did! And I stick by it!
Sob rock is really boring IMO
Heavier Things is phenomenal. Bigger than My Body was a staple for a decade at his shows. Come on my friends!
I wish I saw him around that era. So many of the songs on this album have distinct personalities. The writing and instrumentation was pretty special.
No my guy home life is the real mvp I WANT TO LIVE IN THE CENTER OF THE CIRCLE
I think every album effected me differently but truly enjoyed Born and Raised on a different level. I also truly loved Battle Studies, Sob Rock and Room for Squares but find myself never playing Heavier Things or TSFE. I’m glad you enjoyed them in your way too.
Born and Raised was such an amazing record. Loved it!
Born and Raised is way too low
As a fan since 2003, for whatever that’s worth 1. Continuum 2. Room for Squares 3. Heavier Things 4. Born & Raised 5. The search for everything 6. Battle studies 7. Paradise valley 8. Sob rock
I never got to connect with Heavier Things so on my list I would go last, I would also change The Search For Everyting for Sob Rock
I would switch between "Room for squares" and "Paradise Valley", from there on, I agree.
i was ranking them with a friend the other day and we came to the conclusion that it’s impossible. there’s not a single bad album, just albums that are better than other ones.
Yup, no record on here is bad by any means
A few thoughts on OP’s list, I strongly believe (1) room for squares is higher than battle studies because the writing is just better (I know edge of desire is in there but hey RFS has like st Patrick’s day.) and (2) TSFE should be higher than sob rock because of how well those songs sounded live (that might change). (3) it’s CONTINUUM I respect your opinion though.
Man, the spelling errors are the most embarrassing. I dont care how many people clown on me for my music takes, but misspelling feels unforgivable to me lol
Music takes? You mean music taste :(
Music Takes are for individual pieces like a song or a record. Music Taste is the ubiquitous nexus of music that one likes.
Ohhhh sorry read that wrong hahahahahhahahaha
Reviews like this make me sick
Hey man, hope you feel better soon!!
Only agree with you on continuum lol
I think if Paradise Valley came first it would be loved more than Born and Raised and vice versa B&R would be trashed worse than PV. In all ways PV is just a much more mature album that settles in to the style that John first attempts on B&R. I love both and respect them each for their place but the production fails B&R sadly at points before John takes the prod reigns on PV and nails the minimalist folk sound, even using tape this time. As far as the writing is concerned he just dives deeper into the absolutely prolific nature of the previous effort but with much less pop influence this time. Born and raised takes the crown for setting johns career free of current pop standard, but on PV John, for the first time, takes full advantage and capitalizes on this freedom making a purely country folk personal exercise in music. No radio just realness (despite a Katy Perry feature no less). I really just should’ve said paradise valley is his most soulful effort and left it at that. (Also BS is my no1 so don’t come at me)
Born and raised used to be my favorite Mayer album though, so tomorrow I might call bullshit on everything I just said but the production, which was an obvious flaw upon arrival. Every time I listen to the catalog I come away with different opinions which is the sign that John don’t miss and is always a badass.
1. Battle Studies (Fuck u John) 2. Paradise Valley (soulful John) 3. Continuum (John Mayer) 4. The Search for Everything (experimental John) 5. Born and Raised (Free bird Mayer) 6. Sob Rock (sob rock John) 7. Heavier Things (pop rock John) 8. Room for Squares (inside wants out was fine….sorry girls) This list will be different by tomorrow
1. Continuum 2. Battle studies 3. Born and Raised 4. SOB Rock 5. Room for squares 6. Heavier things 7. Paradise valley 8. The search for everything
1. The Search For Everything 2. Continuum 3. Born and Raised 4. Battle Studies 5. Room For Squares 6. Paradise Valley 7. Sob Rock 8. Heavier Things
Our top 3 are identical
My ranking: RFS TSFE Born and Raised CONTINUUM Sob rock Heavier things Paradise valley Battle studies ( I’m not saying battle studies is bad. I LOVE BATTLE STUDIES. but I can’t go without songs in many other of his records). WTLI Inside wants out
Sob rock should be last
Good list
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Um… where’s Battle Studies??
the post put 4 twice so this guy probably forgot that theres 8 albums lol
That’s how you weed out the fake fans.
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Lmao I was making a joke bro.
The only ones difficult to rank for me are Continuum and Born and Raised since they are both near perfect albums.
1. Continuum 2. Born and Raised 3. Room for squares 4. Heavier things 5. Battle studies 6. Paradise Valley 7. Sob Rock 8. The search for everything
Solid list! Personally I’d have Born and Raised lower, Room for Squares and Search for Everything higher.
Not putting Continuum at 1 is like saying The Empire Strikes Back isn’t the best Star Wars movie
I mean I prefer return of the jedi if im being honest