Ranking John Mayer Albums

Today is John Mayer's birthday so I thought 'What better way to say happy birthday than to rank all his albums!'

As a HUGE John Mayer fan, there's no easy way for me to rank all of his albums but if I HAD to this would be the order...

10. Any Given Tuesday (2003) and the As/Is albums (2004)

I group these together because they all pretty much have the same songs and there's no real difference between them besides the set lists.

As much as I love these albums, they are just at the bottom of the list for me. But I will say that if you haven't listed to these albums do yourself a for and give them a listen. they are all around an hour long. My first year of college, I had a really boring Psychology 101 professor so in order to try and stay awake in class, I would throw one of these on and listen to it as I was bored to death in my class. Probably should have been actually paying attention in class but I was able to listen to all of these all the way through which was super nice and relaxing.

What I like most about these albums are John's lyric changes. It's enjoyable for me to listen closely to see when he changes the lyrics. Its always something fun. In Any Given Tuesday's 83 Medley, John adds the lyrics "he's a-okay by the way" after his line about his brother, Ben. Also if you're a Jack Johnson fan like myself, you'd enjoy the lyric change in As/Is: Houston, TX 07/24/04's Comfortable. John changes his line, "you could distinguish Miles from Coltrane" to "you could distinguish me from Jack Johnson" which always just makes me smile.

Favorite song(s) from this album: Comfortable from As/Is: Houston, TX- 07/24/04

9. Inside Wants Out (1999)

Although this is technically an EP and not an album, I shouldn't really include it in my list but how can you make a list of John Mayer's albums and not include the very first pieces of music he recorded???

While yes, this does include a lot of songs that are included in the Room For Squares album, it also has a couple rarities that are only recorded in a studio on this EP. One of these rarities is Victoria. Just an all time song. In this song John talks about a love leaving him and saying goodbye. In my opinion, this kicked off the "sad John songs" I love so much.

Along with Victoria, this EP includes the only studio version of Comfortable which is my personal favorite on this EP. I like it for selfish reasons if I'm being honest. I always feel like I can relate to the girl John is remembering. He recalls that she always preferred to be in sweatpants (same girl, same), how she just wanted to have fun and didn't care who was watching, and that she would curse a lot (my personal favorite). The whole song is about how he is with another girl but he wishes he was with his last girl because the love they shared was comfortable and they didn't have to pretend to be anything they weren't.

Favorite song from the album: Comfortable (Again, you I know. I just really like this song!)

8. Where the Light Is (2008)

Okay this album... also a live album... but not included in the rest of the live albums. Why? You might ask. I'll tell you why. This is the best live album I have ever listened to (and I have listened to a lot. I'm a little ashamed to admit it but I love the way they sound. Sue me.)

You may be thinking 'Well it you like this album SO much then why is it so low on your list?'

Here's why: All of these songs are also on other albums (with the exception of a few) and they just make those albums even better. Also as much as I love the 9 minute Gravity guitars, you can't just pop this album on and be productive and also listen to the greatness that is John Mayer's guitar abilities. So really it's just in the 8th spot due to logic.

Favorite song from the album: Slow Dancing in a Burning Room

7. Room for Squares (2001)

This is actually John Mayer's first album. It includes the iconic songs Your Body is a Wonderland, 83, My Stupid Mouth, and Why Georgia.

This album is actually what got me hooked on John Mayer. My cousin showed me Your Body is a Wonderland and it was love at first listen. She told me that it was about Jennifer Love Hewitt (I'm not sure that that's accurate but I'll let her have it) and I was so enticed by the playboy that was 2001 John Mayer.

Why Georgia also holds a special place in my heart because m brother's girlfriend at the time showed it to me and said she could see it being played in the background of a Nicholas Sparks book and like most girls, I loved all that was Nicholas Sparks so I fell in love with that song.

The older I get, the more I relate to most of the songs on this album. My Stupid Mouth, and No Such Thing relate to my inability to filter my words. 83 relates to my longing for being a child again and being carefree (I think this relates to almost everyone so good job John). And finally, Love Song for No One relates to my wanting to be independent.

Favorite song from the album: St. Patrick's Day

6. Born and Raised (2012)

This is one of those albums that I can listen to all the way through. Absolutely no skips on this one for me.

John came back STRONG from a three year break of not releasing and album which was the longest hiatus he had taken at that time. If you know about John, you know why he took this break. If you don't know just look up "John Mayer Playboy interview" but I don't want to talk about it because he has done a lot to try to move on from this interview so I'll give him that respect.

A lot of people don't really love this album because there's no super upbeat/"pop-y" song on it but that's kind of why I love it so much. I feel like Joh is really speaking from the heart on this album. It's also a great one to pop on if you want to just sit and vibe by a campfire or on a rainy day. 10 out of 10 would recommenced doing any/all of that to be honest.

Favorite song from the album: Something Like Olivia or Speak for Me

5. Battle Studios (2009)

Okay so this album... first I hear it, I was not a fan but the more I listen to it the more I like it.

With songs like Half of My Heart, Perfectly Lonely, and Edge of Desire, this album just grows on you with time. This is another album that you can throw on for any kind of mood you're in. Feeling Lonely? Just broke up with someone? Hating the world? Wanting to relax? This album has you covered.

One of my all time favorite John Mayer songs is on this album. Who Says just really hits my soul and creates a feeling that I can really relate to. So why is it not my number one John Mayer album? I said this was going to be difficult and there are just other albums where I like all of the songs more than just a few on this one.

Favorite song from the album: Who Says

4. The Search for Everything (2017)

This was the first (and only) album John Mayer released since I have become a big fan of his.

In an interview with a country radio program (weird but okay) he said that of all his songs, this album contains his saddest lyrics. He said that the saddest lyrics he has ever recorded were from the opening song of the album, Still Feel Like Your Man, and they were "I still keep your shampoo in the shower/incase you want to wash your hair/ and I know that you've probably found yourself some more somewhere/ but I do not really care" He said (I'm paraphrasing here) that the saddest part of that it the hope that they might come back. The metaphorical leaving the door open is the saddest part of breaking up with someone (also this was a really good interview so if you find yourself with about 30 minutes of spare time I HIGHLY recommend watching it. It was with the Bobby Bones Show and is on their youtube page.). For someone who wrote Stop This Train and countless other very sad songs it was crazy for me to hear him say these were his saddest lyrics.

This album is largely about his breakup with Katy Perry and has some very very good breakup/sad songs on it.

To balance out the sad, the song Love on the Weekend is a great song to blast on a Friday right after work/school. It has the perfect Friday energy when you are feeling happy for a relaxing weekend.

This album also contains the songs Helpless, Moving On and Getting Over, and Rosie which are all just great songs. I find I can put a song from this album on for whatever mood I'm in. Sad? Still Feel Like Your Man, Never on the Day You Leave, and You're Gonna Live Forever in Me. Wanting to relax? Love on the Weekend, and Roll It on Home to Me. Getting over a breakup? Moving on and Getting Over, and Changing

Favorite song from the album: Moving on and Getting Over

3. Heavier Things (2003)

I personally think that you can't call yourself a true John Mayer fan if you don't like this album.

Yes there are some deep cuts on it, but all of them are so good. This is another album that I can listen to all the way through and not skip a single song.

I think this was the epitome of all that was early 2000's John Mayer. Just every song could have been a hit. This is a hard one for me to have a favorite on because I truthfully like every single song on this album.

I really don't have anything else to say about this album except do yourself a favor and throw this bad boy on. You can thank me later.

Oh! Also, this album cover inspired on of Charlie Puth's album covers so the legend that is John Mayer lives on.

Favorite song from the album: Come Back to Bed

2. Continuum (2005)

What can I say about this album that has already been said?

Banger after absolute banger on this bad boy. I think if you were to ask casual fans of John Mayer's their favorite album of his, they would probably say this one. This has pretty much all of his earlier hits in one place. Almost like a Best of album for John.

This album includes Waiting on the World to Change, Gravity and Slow Dancing in a Burning room. Undoubtedly some of John's most popular songs. Even if you don't really know John Mayer, you know at least one of these songs.

This album also includes another one of my favorite songs by John Mayer, Stop This Train. Yes, it's a sad one but hear me out. I found this song my senior year of high school and I was going through so many growing pains. All of the bittersweetness the life has to offer. Wanting to grow up, leave for school, be my own person away from my family but also not wanted to do all those things and actually be on my away and try my hand at a little adulting. The older I get the more I really do just want to stop this train of life. Get off relax, stop growing up, stop having so much responsibility.

This past birthday, I was really hit with all of these emotions. I was having a little bit of a hard time on my actual birthday just not wanting to be an "adult" anymore, just wanting to go back to being 5 and not having many responsibilities.

My brother's birthday is 4 days after mine so I drove a couple hours on his birthday to have lunch with him. That was when I discovered those feelings I was having 4 days prior were not unique to me but that he, and many other people, feel that way. I cried the whole way back to school and had this song on repeat for most of the trip.

I know that's a sad story but I love that there are songs out there that show me I'm not alone with the feelings I have. There are other people out there who feel the way I do and its okay and normal to have those feelings.

Favorite song from the album: Stop This Train

1. Paradise Valley (2013)

Now yes, I know this is a little controversial but hear me out.

This album holds a special place in my heart. I got this CD my senior year of high school and it was by a new album by John. Nevertheless, I had just gotten my sisters car and I felt like I had all the freedom in the world. Whenever I hear this album, I'm automatically take back to a more carefree time in my life, sure I had stresses in my life but looking back, they were so small that I don't even remember what most of them were. When I hear "Queen of California" I can picture driving down my favorite road in my hometown on the way to a babysitting job with the windows rolled down and the September wind rolling in (of course with the faint smell of low tide in the air).

I am well aware that I see my memories through rose tinted glasses but it makes me happy to think about so I don't really care.

Honorable Mention: John Mayer Trio- Try!

An absolutely ICONIC album. If you have never listen to it, I cannot recommenced it highly enough.

Favorite song from the album: Another Kind of Green

Thank you for all the wonderful music and great memories associated with it John! Happy Birthday!