John Mayer Describes His Songwriting Process

"Its like matching socks."

Source: Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center Masterclass, 17th September 2020.

[rayt]

"Slugging away until magic happens, and then we take credit for it." John Mayer.

[nn]

John Mayer should create a songwriting course. I used to be very focused on melody and instrumentation until I heard John Mayer. He has converted me into a lyrics enthusiast. Keep looking for the magic John. You're doing great!

[ATX]

We're living in a dimension/reality/universe where songwriting is nearly a complete mystery and hardly anybody can really explain it.

[gstrummer]

John Mayer, I appreciate your generosity here, sharing your process, failures, grind, standards, and dedication. Quite a gift. Thank you.

[joebaby]

How lucky are we to have a gifted musician/songwriter so open and free with his process and thoughts? Thanks John.🙏. “Sounds like Me”🔥

[buddhapeach]

So agree. So frustrating walking around with one really comfortable sock…and one flip-flop! 😳

[petervad]

"just slugging away til magic happens". That's a great explanation. Love they way he describes thing - very articulate.

[davebondanza]

A wonderfully talented musician. His intelligent lyrics combined with the masterful guitar play is a combo that results in music that will never grow stale. Couple this with his down to earth reality brings content like this. I listen to multiple cuts of his music daily. What else needs to be said?

[dontletmebrown]

2:52 sounds like John had "when the right one comes" on the brain LOL

[laurafay]

John gets the lyrics so right, every single time. Lyrics that are believable, relatable, magical and tell a story that feels so familiar and sound like John. He’s the only artist, for me, that takes me on a journey and connects to each song with real emotion.

If you look at his songs, you see his name. I’ve not seen one with another writer (correct me if I’m wrong) but that’s why I think he’s so good. Because he’s singing and playing his own ideas that are deeply routed in him.

[songsidliketofinishwriting]

I really appreciate how he explains his process. Student forever, it’s gotta sound believable, slugging away until the magic happens!

[debbiegreen]

This was very interesting because we only think that it always comes easy for you. This why it always comes out like a rock star with you John. Looking so comfortably handsome.

[LucaAnamaria]

It does get easier with time, but it's nice to hear that even John doesn't quite know whether or not a song will work out when he first starts writing one. There is definitely a mystery and uncertainty to songwriting, but that can also be part of the fun. Though maybe not when you have a deadline. 😬

[kellybarnes]

Thanks being such an A+ guy that you give suggestions and your own personal insights to help new songwriters.

[Viper-dzkw]

Yup, can completely relate to everything he says here, especially the part where you write stuff and throw it out

[robertwallace]

Three chords and the truth!.... Beautiful! ... Thanks for passionate description!..

[jeremyholcombe]

He absolutely nails it here, I reckon.

[itsallroses]

Yeah i totally relate its just waiting for the song to come rather than creating it. Its an absolute supernatural process I feel.. coming from God <3

[RobinMacGregor]

Thanks for this. I'm a songwriter in the Scottish Highlands. Really interesting to watch. 👏

[gfunkk]

'i took em on a trip and then i threw them out of the car....before we got to disneyland.' god this guy has the greatest imagination ever.