Gravity (John Mayer song)

Last updated
"Gravity"
Johnmayer gravity.jpg
Single by John Mayer
from the album Continuum
ReleasedSeptember 12, 2006
Recorded2006
Genre
Length4:05
Label
Songwriter(s) John Mayer
Producer(s)
John Mayer singles chronology
"Belief"
(2006)
"Gravity"
(2006)
"Dreaming with a Broken Heart"
(2007)

"Gravity" is a song by American musician John Mayer. It is written by Mayer and produced by Mayer and Steve Jordan. "Gravity" is featured on three of Mayer's releases: the 2005 live album Try! by the John Mayer Trio, his 2006 studio album Continuum , and his 2008 live album Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles . In 2007, the song was released as the third single from Continuum.

Contents

Background and production

Mayer suggested in an interview with the magazine Performing Songwriter that "Gravity" was the song he was always trying to write, using the example of "Come Back to Bed" (from Heavier Things ) as being an early attempt at "writing Gravity". Along with "Vultures", the song is one of only two songs featured on the John Mayer Trio's debut album, Try! , that carried over into the release of Continuum. Alicia Keys provides background vocals at the end of the song.

Personnel

Song meaning

In a concert performed in December 2005, Mayer explained the significance and meaning of the song:

This is the most important song I’ve ever written, it's a time capsule song. I will listen to it every day of my life if I need to. It's honest to God the most important song I’ve ever written in my life, and it has the fewest words. I was in LA, and I was there for the summer, just writing tunes, and I was in the shower. And I don't know where it came from, but it's the damn truth you know, and I just sang, "gravity...is working against me"... This is a song about making sure you still love yourself, making sure you still have your head on, making sure you still say no the way your mom would say no. And I will need it every damn day of my life because it's easier to mess up than it is to stay here. [3] [4]

Reception

Billboard called the single "an easygoing, bluesy number, convincingly conjuring the spirit of his idol Buddy Guy." [5]

On February 22, 2007, "Gravity" entered Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart at #71; [6] at that time, Mayer had two singles charting on the Hot 100 (the other song was "Waiting on the World to Change"). It also entered Billboard's Hot 100 Digital Songs Chart at #63

Grammy Awards performance

At the 49th Annual Grammy Awards on February 11, 2007, Mayer performed "Gravity" with Corinne Bailey Rae and John Legend as the end of a medley. The set began with Rae's "Like a Star", and continued with Legend's "Coming Home", before concluding with "Gravity".

Stevie Wonder introduced the trio's performance, and each artist performed some aspect of every song through the entire medley. For Rae's "Like a Star", Mayer performed various backing guitar licks, while during Legend's "Coming Home" he performed little. For "Gravity", both Rae and Legend performed backing vocals and Legend played piano.

At the ceremony, Mayer won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for the first single from Continuum, "Waiting on the World to Change".

At the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, the live version of "Gravity" that appears on Mayer's Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles won the award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance.

Cultural influence

The tune was #84 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs Of All Time. [7] The family of astronaut Pilot Charles O. Hobaugh chose "Gravity" as the wake-up call for the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on August 11, 2007. [8] (The wake-up call is a tradition for NASA spaceflights since the days of Project Gemini.) [9]

Cover versions

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [16] Platinum70,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [17] Platinum90,000
United States (RIAA) [18] 2× Platinum2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Mayer</span> American musician (born 1977)

John Clayton Mayer is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but he left for Atlanta in 1997 with fellow guitarist Clay Cook, with whom he formed the short-lived rock duo, Lo-Fi Masters. After their split, Mayer continued to play at local clubs, refining his skills and gaining a minor following. He performed at the 2000 South by Southwest festival, and was subsequently signed by Aware Records, an imprint of Columbia Records through which he released his debut extended play (EP), Inside Wants Out (1999). His first two studio albums—Room for Squares (2001) and Heavier Things (2003)—were both met with critical and commercial success; the former won a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for its single "Your Body Is a Wonderland", while the latter peaked atop the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</span> 1972 single by the Undisputed Truth

"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a song originally performed by Motown recording act the Undisputed Truth in 1972, though it became much better known after a Grammy-award winning cover by the Temptations was issued later the same year. This latter version of the song became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dancing in the Street</span> 1964 single performed by Martha and the Vandellas

"Dancing in the Street" is a song written by Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter. It first became popular in 1964 when recorded by Martha and the Vandellas whose version reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks, behind "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" by Manfred Mann and it also peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. It is one of Motown's signature songs and is the group's premier signature song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jump (Van Halen song)</span> 1983 single by Van Halen

"Jump" is a song by American rock band Van Halen. It was released in December 1983 as the lead single of their sixth studio album, 1984. It is Van Halen's most successful single, reaching number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song differs from earlier Van Halen songs in that it is driven by a keyboard riff, although the song does contain a guitar solo. David Lee Roth dedicated the song to martial artist Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, of whom he was a student. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked "Jump" at number 177 on its updated list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

"Candle in the Wind" is a threnody style ballad written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was originally written in 1973, in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pinball Wizard</span> Song by the Who from the album Tommy

"Pinball Wizard" is a song by the English rock band the Who, written by guitarist and primary songwriter Pete Townshend and featured on their 1969 rock opera album Tommy. The original recording was released as a single in 1969 and reached No. 4 in the UK charts and No. 19 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You've Really Got a Hold on Me</span> 1962 Motown song by the Miracles

"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" is a song written by Smokey Robinson, which became a 1962 Top 10 hit single for the Miracles. One of the Miracles' most covered tunes, this million-selling song received a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame Award. It has also been selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. It was recorded by the Beatles for their second album, With the Beatles (1963). Many other musicians also recorded versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Living in America (James Brown song)</span> 1985 song by James Brown

"Living in America" is a 1985 song composed by Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight and performed by James Brown. It was released as a single in 1985 and reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song entered the Billboard Top 40 on January 11, 1986, and remained on the chart for 11 weeks. It also became a top five hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart; it was his only top 10 single in the UK. It was his first Top 40 hit in ten years on the US pop charts, and it would also be his last. In 1987, it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and won Brown a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proud Mary</span> 1969 single by Creedence Clearwater Revival

"Proud Mary" is a song by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, written by vocalist and lead guitarist John Fogerty. It was released as a single in January 1969 by Fantasy Records and on the band's second studio album, Bayou Country. The song became a major hit in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1969, the first of five singles to peak at No. 2 for the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like a Star</span> 2005 single by Corinne Bailey Rae

"Like a Star" is a song by English singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae, released as the lead single from her self-titled debut studio album (2006). It was written by Bailey Rae and produced by Steve Chrisanthou. The song was originally released in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2005 as a limited edition of 3,000 copies, reaching number 34 on the UK Singles Chart. An accompanying music video was directed by James Griffiths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Put Your Records On</span> 2006 single by Corinne Bailey Rae

"Put Your Records On" is a song by the English singer Corinne Bailey Rae from her self-titled debut studio album (2006). Written by Bailey Rae, John Beck, and Steve Chrisanthou, it was released as the album's second single in February and early March 2006 throughout Europe and as the lead single in North America.

<i>Continuum</i> (John Mayer album) 2006 studio album by John Mayer

Continuum is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter John Mayer, released on September 12, 2006, by Aware and Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place from January 2005 to July 2006 at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, Avatar Studios and Right Track/Sound on Sound in New York City, and Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. Produced by singer and drummer Steve Jordan, it marked a change in Mayer's musical style, incorporating elements of blues and soul more heavily than in his previous work with pop rock. Bassist Pino Palladino also performs on the album; Mayer, Jordan, and Palladino had toured the previous year under the name John Mayer Trio and had released a live album, Try!. Studio versions of two of the songs from that album appear on Continuum.

"I Only Have Eyes for You" is a romantic love song by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dubin, written for the film Dames (1934) when Dick Powell introduced it. Several successful recordings of the song were made in 1934; later, there were charted versions by the Flamingos (1959) and Art Garfunkel (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waiting on the World to Change</span> 2006 single by John Mayer

"Waiting on the World to Change" is a song by American singer-songwriter John Mayer. It was released as the lead single from his third studio album, Continuum (2006), on August 1, 2006. The song enjoyed commercial success as a single and won the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 49th Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say (John Mayer song)</span> 2007 single by John Mayer

"Say" is a song by John Mayer written for the Rob Reiner film The Bucket List in 2007. The ballad was released as a single on November 20, 2007, and was the first commercial single in Mayer's career that was not originally released on one of his albums but added to the special edition re-release of his album Continuum. The song earned Mayer his record-tying fourth and final Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Don't Live Here (Lady Antebellum song)</span> 2007 single by Lady Antebellum

"Love Don't Live Here" is the debut single recorded by American country music trio Lady Antebellum, released in October 2007 from their self-titled debut album. Although the group had charted along with pop artist Jim Brickman on his 2007 single "Never Alone", this song serves as Lady Antebellum's first release to country radio. It was written by the group's three members, and features Kelley on lead vocals. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated for the week of June 14, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Will Keep Us Alive</span> 1994 single by Eagles

"Love Will Keep Us Alive" is a song written by Jim Capaldi, Paul Carrack, and Peter Vale and recorded by American rock band the Eagles. It was first performed by the Eagles in 1994, during their Hell Freezes Over reunion tour, with lead vocals by bassist Timothy B. Schmit. This is the last single to feature Don Felder, who was terminated from the band in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls in Their Summer Clothes</span> 2008 single by Bruce Springsteen

"Girls in Their Summer Clothes" is a song by American recording artist Bruce Springsteen, from his album Magic.

"Danny's Song" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins, as a gift for his brother Danny for the birth of his son, Colin. It first appeared on an album by Gator Creek and a year later on the album Sittin' In, the debut album by Loggins and Messina. The song is well remembered for both the Loggins and Messina original, as well as for Anne Murray's 1972 top-ten-charting cover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life in a Northern Town</span> 1985 single by the Dream Academy

"Life in a Northern Town" is the debut single by British band The Dream Academy, released in March 1985. It appears on the band's self-titled debut studio album, The Dream Academy. The song was written as an elegy to British folk musician Nick Drake. Written by band members Nick Laird-Clowes and Gilbert Gabriel, the song was produced by Laird-Clowes with help from Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. The single reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1986 and reached No. 15 on the UK charts. It is the band's highest charting single in the UK, the US, and Ireland.

References

  1. Wood, Mikael (August 13, 2013). "Musical sniping, a la John Mayer and Taylor Swift". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  2. Collar, Matt. "Continuum - John Mayer | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  3. Youtube video. "John Mayer Gravity History" (2006). [Online video].
  4. Online forum entry. "Eddie's Attic, Night 1, 12.20.05" .
  5. Taylor, Chuck (January 27, 2007), "Gravity". Billboard. 119 (4):55
  6. Cohen, Jonathan (February 22, 2007). "Timberlake Scores Third Hot 100 No. 1 From 'FutureSex'". Billboard.
  7. No byline (May 28, 2008), "100 Greatest Guitar Songs Of All Time". RollingStone.com. Retrieved on 2011-01-24. "The two sides of Mayer — blues virtuoso and pop star — never met in the same song until this impeccable soul ballad. The rhythm guitar is an understated take on Curtis Mayfield, and the Claptonesque leads are as gorgeous as anything Slowhand himself has recently recorded."
  8. AP associate. "Shuttle Endeavor met by 'Gravity'" Archived December 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine (2007). [Online video]. AP.
  9. Fries, Colin (June 25, 2007). "Chronology of Wakeup Calls" (PDF). NASA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-06-20. Retrieved August 13, 2007.
  10. "John Mayer – Gravity" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  11. "John Mayer – Gravity" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  12. "John Mayer Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  13. "John Mayer Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  14. "John Mayer Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  15. "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  16. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  17. "Danish single certifications – John Mayer – Gravity". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  18. "American single certifications – John Mayer – Gravity". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved October 25, 2021.