Maybe there's something in his lyrics that can point out as to why girls are so crazy about him.
"Edge of Desire"
Don't say a word, just come over and lie here with me,
'Cause I'm just about to set fire to everything I see,
I want you so bad, I'll go back on the things I believe,
There I just said it, I'm scared you'll forget about me.
The thought of someone telling you "I need you here, now. Don't put up a fight," is something no girl would object to. It sets the stage for the next line of imagery, "I'm just about to set fire to everything I see." I love this line, because I can clearly see someone setting flames to anything and everything around, out of overwhelming emotion. It's not about the actual fire itself, it's about the raw feeling you get out of it. Now I don't know about you, but a lot of people are stubborn about their beliefs. Whether it's rules or promises kept with themselves, morals or opinions, breaking any one of those is a struggle, but when you care that deeply about someone, all those thoughts fade from your memory. In his last line, John admits to feeling terrified of being forgotten, out of desperation, which is exactly the emotion, the song as a whole conveys.
"Half of My Heart"
I was made to believe I'd never love somebody else
I made a plan, stay the man who can only love himself
Showing me a better way and all that my love can bring
These lyrics are about the invisible guard people put up to others, in avoidance of trust being broken. After anyone is hurt, they immediately go into shut-down mode. Most people want nothing to do with love and getting the door to their heart open, is next to impossible. In the third line, John shows that despite his wants, he couldn't help but to fall for this girl and open up again. Continuing further in the song, he argues that he would be able only to give half of what he should. Unfortunately, girls want what they can't have, more than anything else.
"Heartbreak Warfare"
How come the only way to know how high you get me
is to see how far I fall
God only knows how much I'd love you if you let me
but I can't break through at all.
"Heartbreak Warfare" is entirely about a fighting struggle John is having between his heart and head. These lyrics show that the person he's talking about is an expert at hurting him. Contradicting himself, he writes of how elated she makes him, but yet let's him down, time after time. The last two lines are about his promise to her, if she would only let him in. This song is almost the opposite to "Half of My Heart," showing guarded feelings from the other side.
"Dreaming With a Broken Heart"
When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part
You roll outta bed and down on your knees
And for the moment you can hardly breathe
I love when John incorporates reality with thoughts and feelings. When anyone is broken hearted or depressed, eating and sleeping become two of the most confused things. He uses sleep, in these lyrics, to show not only the actualities, but his hopes and wishes being broken. John is an incredible writer and is very talented at showing lovesick feelings in words that people can relate to.
"Your Body is a Wonderland"
You tell me where to go and
Though I might leave to find it
I'll never let your head hit the bed
Without my hand behind it
Security is on almost any girl's top five list of characteristics she wants in a partner. Girls want to feel taken care of and protected, no matter how independent they may be. These lyrics are an excellent show case of trust. Everyone wants to feel as if they have someone they can rely on and know that there is someone to support them at the end of the day. All four of these lines show his willingness to be her redemption, which is a surefire way to a girl's heart.
Bethany, I am also an avid John Mayer fan, but I don't really need to tell you that, you've heard me play Your Body Is A Wonderland enough times to know that. :D. Actually, I just came from Concert Choir, my fourth hour class which had it's final today, in which it was demanded that I play the song (I brought my guitar because there was going to be a party after the final). I love all the lyrics you have written up here, especially "Dreaming With A Broken Heart" and "Edge of Desire". Dreaming With A Broken Heart's lyrics are ones I can really relate to. I can relate to the literal concept of dreams or nightmares after having your heart broken... but also the miserable feel of lying in bed, when you have nothing else to do or think about, and you're forced to get to whats really on your mind. It's a terrible feeling, and it lingers.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite line is "You roll outta' your bed and down on your knees". That's what I felt like for a good period of time after a breakup I once had. Waking up only to be on your knees. It kind of makes you wonder why you even bother to wake up.
I love the way you've arranged your page with the titles, lyrics, and breakdowns. It flows really well, and it made it easy for me to understand. Your color scheme turned out great too, it's not too busy, it's relaxed, refined and tasteful.
Your page is is well setup as Matthew stated, it dosen't break up the lyrics, they just flow together. While I can't say I'm an avid fan of Mr. Mayer's I can say that it's not an unwelcome change of pace. I find myself gravitating to heartbreak warfare more often than the other songs on this page however. It's just titled cleverly and is calming and enjoyable to listen to, and of course, as most people who read this will admit, or not rather, they have probably fought with their head and heart before.
ReplyDelete"If you want more love,
why don't you say so?"
I've asked this before, as many others probably have, and one never receives an answer. It's a "been there, done that" moment.
I really like how you did your page. I wish i would have taken more time out on mines like it look like you did. But sadly I really don’t know any of these songs. I really need to brighten my horizon. I think I’m stuck on older songs and newer rap. I listen to some different types but i haven’t reached these yet. I plan on it someday though. Great job though
ReplyDeleteBeth! I am commenting J
ReplyDeleteI haven’t actually listened to “Edge of Desire” before, but it now one of my favorites! I agree with you when you say, “…morals or opinions…when you care that deeply about someone, all those thoughts fade from your memory.” Sometimes I suppose that could be a bad thing though, letting yourself lose your beliefs and morals over someone/something that is just potent in your life at the time. “There I just said it, I’m scared you’ll forget about me.” I think everyone has felt, or thought this about someone. The worst thing about ending a relationship in my head is thinking they’ll forget about you.
Half of my Heart has been a favorite of mine since I heard it last January. Although it has bittersweet memories attached to it, listening to this song will forever put a smile on my face. I liked this song so much because I never felt that I was actually going to date anyone in high school, “Lonely was the song I sang, ’til the day you came. Showing me a better way and all that my love can bring.” explained me PERFECTLY at the time. You are 100% right when say these lyrics are about the wall people put up. P.S. I love little Taylor Swift part.
Dreaming with a Broken Heart is one of John’s best piece’s in my opinion. Like you said, he is really good at conveying that lovesick feeling. Although many have felt lovesick before, many struggle with actually putting it into words, let alone a beautiful song.
Reading your first sentence, I can automatically relate. Obtaining security from your friends, family, or significant is always on the top 5 on a girls list - it doesn’t matter if your dating that person, you just don’t want to be left high in dry.
I cannot wait for Child Dev. We are going to take that class on like a storm.