Top 10 John Mayer Songs

In a young, new millennium world, along came a man and his guitar with a message about following your dreams. As the single that introduced John Mayer to the world, “No Such Thing” contains a special energy that struck a chord with listeners on a fundamental level, but when females saw the music video featuring Johnny’s devilish grin and fun-lovin’ stage presence, well, it was all over. A new star had emerged, and his name was John Mayer.

Remember that heart-warming 2007 film called “The Bucket List?” Well, John composed this track specifically for the occasion and declared a sentiment that we can all relate to: “say what you need to say.” Sung like angel from God, complete with a totally singable chorus, “Say” is that song you send to your best friend or boyfriend after a nasty argument. Listen to this. Listen to John Mayer’s words, and you will soon find the truth. Ain’t that right?

Early John Mayer singing about his insecurities? Hell yes. For his debut album, the singer-songwriter tackled a most personal subject, as not long before, he was broke and searching for a break after dropping out of The Berklee College of Music. Well, he certainly found his way, and given the existential nature of “Why Georgia,” it makes for the perfect sing-a-long at live concerts. While critics have compared the sound of early John to that of Dave Matthews, let’s be clear, there’s nobody quite like him.

Oh, John. You messed around and created the ultimate love song for romantic comedies. Yes, some of you out there just may remember “Heartbreak Warfare” from the 2010 film “Date Night,” and you’re probably all too familiar with the poignant lyrical content and ethereal tone. This is a song that you can just get lost in – the melody, the beat, the voice. Who knew the idea of “Heartbreak Warfare” could hurt so good?

Just as YouTube began taking over the Internet, it was John who took over playlists with this hopeful song for the future. As seen in the music video, “Waiting on the World to Change” features John sporting Jon Snow-like locks, and despite the essence of the lyrics, he sings like he doesn’t have a care in the world, just struttin’ along and waiting for us all to catch up. We’re with you, John, and we just love the chilled-out vibe of this track.

For his fourth studio album, John produced a meditative piece of magic, a song that transcends above most contrived pop hits of today. Lyrically, “Edge of Desire” takes us on a metaphorical journey through all kinds of emotions, as John channels his inner angst while coming to grips with his passionate feelings. Whether you’re staring at the ceiling of your room or driving down a country road, this song offers a brief escape from all the surrounding “noise” of the world.

Here’s a song that’s been rumored to be about actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, but with his long list of exes, who knows? John has maintained that he wrote “Your Body Is a Wonderland” about his first intimate encounter with a woman, and with such a gentle and easy-going vibe, it’s not hard to imagine him being a charmer way back when. Released as a follow-up to John’s debut single, this unique love song endeared him to women of all ages and became one of the singer’s signature songs.

Yep. Just the intro alone reels you in, and then John begins a story about a beautiful confusion. We’ve all been there – you’re not particularly sure about a certain relationship, yet the good moments outweigh the bad…and so you can keep on moving forward, even if you already know the what the final outcome will be. Somehow, John manages to brilliantly capture the essence of that feeling, and with the metaphorical phrasing of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,” he brings us right into his own predicament. And we can feel all of his pain and pleasure too.

On paper, the concept of this Grammy Award-winning John Mayer hit makes sense, but the most beautiful aspect of “Daughters” lies in the delivery of the message. By connecting all the pieces of the puzzle that is life itself, John drive home the brutal truth about how a father’s love will ultimately affect a woman in the long run. It’s somewhat of a cautionary tale, albeit one that makes perfect sense on a basic level. With “Daughters,” John reached beyond the typical love song clichés and left his mark on the landscape of pop music.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

- “Stop This Train”
Continuum (2006)

- “Bigger Than My Body”
Heavier Things (2003)

- “Vultures”
Continuum (2006)

- “Who You Love” feat. Katy Perry
Paradise Valley (2013)

- “Shadow Days”
Born and Raised (2012)

Born out of the blues and certainly one of the most brilliant guitar tracks ever recorded, John Mayer has referred to “Gravity” as the most important song he’s even written. Just listen, and you can feel the deep personal connection to the lyrics, as this song refers to the ebb and flow of the universe, and the forces of nature that can bring you down just as quickly as fame can alter your sense of reality. It’s a timeless composition, and one that holds weight in a rapidly changing world that allows easier access to instant adoration.

So, do you agree with our selections? What is your favorite John Mayer song? For more bluesy Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.