Steve Scauzillo

It's not easy being green A look at environmental topics from the perspective of environmental reporting.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Music imitating life

You read that latest interview with John Mayer in Rolling Stone?

Some call it the most honest, open interview done by a celebrity. Others say they read it and think he is a pice of work. Still, others don't believe him.

In it, he talks a lot about how lonely he is. How he is absolutely devastated about losing Jennifer Aniston. And he talks alot about masterbation.

As a John Mayer fan, I am perplexed. At first, I sort of sympathized with the guy. I have felt lonely. I have loved and lost. In my marriage, there are ups and downs. Is he just being honest or being a jerk?

Then, I thought a lot about his art. His songwriting is great. It's personal, fun, pop and yet the words are some of the best in the pop music world. But now, as I listen to cuts off his "Battle Studies," I can't help attaching the "real" John Mayer to the songs. And I don't know how that makes me feel, exactly.

Should a fan know that much about the singer/songwriter he loves? Should the fan know all the "feelings" behind the songs. I don't know. When I listen to some of his new songs, I am thinking of Jennifer Aniston and breakups and John Mayer screaming out for a committed relationship. And that's not always a good feeling when I'm driving along on the 10 Freeway trying to get lost in a lyric or a riff.

Sooo, John Mayer, you either ruined it for your fans or your deepened the relationship they will have with your songs. I can't decide.

I only think there should be some mystery in art, some unknowns. Save the story-behind-the-song for those tabloid TV shows.