Last week was pretty rough — between trying to get my life back together after four days at the beach and a good dose of dating drama (that’s a post for another day) — so I was pleasantly shocked when my FAVORITE guy, John Mayer, dropped this little tune onto my desktop.
Ironically, it’s his take on Beyonce’s, “XO,” the ironic part being that I pretty much hate Beyonce, yet John Mayer singing this song is a little bit of perfection.
The stripped down version is very classic Mayer, which is the early side of him that his popular fan base loves.
I know that, as a pop musician, Mayer has always kept up with other pop artists, which is probably how he came across this song, and found it appropriate to cover — but a part of me is left wondering how he really came across it (was it Katy Perry’s jam?!).
Anyway, it’s love songs (such as this one) that make me think about relationships, whether it’s the current state of things or the stories from my past. Even a pop song that superficially grazes the surface makes me take inventory — Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat,” had me wishing that a guy would want to “Show you off, tonight I wanna show you off.”
Pathetic or admirable? We’ll leave that to the higher beings.
Perhaps I am a little too analytical. I’ve had readers, and even clients, tell me that I analyze up a whole storyline from just one word.
I’ve always blamed this on being a woman, which is completely sexist, I realize. Sometimes I wonder if it’s the writer in me — but which came first — the writer or the analyst?
It certainly helps my case to analyze the moments in my life, because then I can turn them into blog posts and columns. But, it also has the potential of causing drama where none is needed.
Unfortunately, it’s not a trait I can switch on and off. Maybe one day I’ll figure it out, but until then, I kind of like the fact that even the simplest of songs can resonate within my heart.
Your love’s as bright as ever, even in the shadows. Baby, kiss me before they turn the lights out… We don’t have forever. Baby, daylight’s wasting. You better kiss me, before time has run out.
—XO
Purchase John Mayer’s cover of “XO” here.
The Bitter Lemon 