John Mayer Favorites Songbook

Dive into the soulful world of John Mayer with the John Mayer Favorites songbook featuring eight piano solo arrangements by Jennifer Eklund. Includes hits like "Daughters," "No Such Thing," "Gravity," and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room."

John Mayer Favorites Songbook

🎾 About John Mayer

John Mayer is a renowned American singer-songwriter and guitarist whose career has spanned multiple decades. He initially gained widespread recognition in the early 2000s for his distinctive blend of pop, rock, and blues music. Mayer’s debut album, “Room for Squares” (2001), featuring hits like “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” propelled him to stardom with its introspective lyrics and melodic guitar work. He continued to evolve his sound, delving into blues-inspired albums like “Continuum” (2006), which produced hits like “Waiting on the World to Change” and showcased his instrumental prowess.

Throughout his career, Mayer’s smooth vocals, emotive songwriting, and virtuosic guitar skills have solidified his position as a respected figure in contemporary music. Beyond his solo work, he’s also been part of the trio John Mayer Trio and collaborated with numerous artists across genres, demonstrating his versatility and enduring influence.


đŸŽ¶ John Mayer Favorites Songbook

The following songs are included in the John Mayer Favorites songbook. These are all available as separate singles, but you get the most value by purchasing the whole collection. All of these arrangements are appropriate for intermediates and up.

  1. No Such Thing
  2. Daughters
  3. Bigger Than My Body
  4. Dreaming with a Broken Heart
  5. Why Georgia
  6. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
  7. Stop This Train
  8. Gravity

đŸŽč Watch a performance of the entire songbook:


Let’s dive deeper with some more details about a few of my personal favorites from the John Mayer Favorites songbook:


“No Such Thing” (2002)

It’s the song that started it all and it feels like it was just yesterday:

“No Such Thing” is the debut single by John Mayer, released in February 2002 as the lead track from his first album, “Room for Squares” (2001). Co-written with Clay Cook, the song’s lyrics urge listeners, particularly recent high school graduates, to follow their own path rather than conforming to societal norms. The song criticizes the traditional education system’s pressure to attend college and plan for conventional careers, asserting that such a structured concept of the “real world” doesn’t truly exist, and personal fulfillment comes from pursuing one’s passions. The song’s autobiographical nature reflects Mayer’s own decision not to immediately attend college after high school, instead working odd jobs and saving for a guitar before eventually embarking on his music career.

The song achieved significant success, becoming Mayer’s breakthrough hit by reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also performed well on other Billboard charts, notably topping the Triple A chart. Despite its commercial success, critical opinions varied, with some praising its vocals, lyrics, and melody, while others found it less impactful. Internationally, the song found success in Australasia, charting in New Zealand and Australia. However, it had a more limited impact in Europe, peaking at number 42 in the UK. The song’s music video, directed by Sam Erickson, showcased Mayer performing at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia, reflecting his early stage performances.


“Daughters” (2004)

Grab the tissues, this one gets me everytime!

“Daughters” is the third single from John Mayer’s 2003 album “Heavier Things.” The song’s lyrical content revolves around urging fathers (and mothers to some extent) to provide nurturing and support to their daughters during childhood, emphasizing the impact such relationships can have on their future interactions with men. The song’s narrative uses Mayer’s own troubled romantic experiences as an example to underscore this message. The track gained acclaim and earned several awards, including the 2005 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

Mayer’s inspiration for “Daughters” has been explained differently over time, from referencing the TV show “Real World” to his own personal experiences with trust issues in relationships. In a VH1 “Storytellers” episode, Mayer revealed that the song was based on an ex-girlfriend who struggled due to her absent father, leading to the deterioration of their relationship.

The music video for “Daughters” features Mayer performing the song on guitar in a dark studio setting, intercut with scenes depicting a young girl (symbolizing a daughter). Directed by Mario Sorrenti, the video conveys the song’s emotional depth through its grayscale visuals.

Despite Mayer’s initial reluctance to release the song as a single, “Daughters” became a significant hit and a pivotal point in his career, capturing both critical acclaim and commercial success. The song’s popularity led to its Grammy win and solidified Mayer’s reputation as a talented singer-songwriter with the ability to create emotionally resonant music.


“Stop This Train” (2006)

Probably my favorite tune in his oeuvre. The lyrics are simply đŸ„° 😭

“Stop This Train” is a song by John Mayer from his 2006 album “Continuum.” The song is a reflective and introspective piece that explores the passage of time, the fear of growing older, and the desire to hold onto the moments of life. It has become one of Mayer’s most beloved and poignant songs, touching on themes of change, nostalgia, and the human experience.

Lyrically, “Stop This Train” expresses Mayer’s feelings of apprehension and vulnerability as he contemplates the inevitability of aging and the changes that come with it. The song’s title and central metaphor, “Stop This Train,” represent Mayer’s wish to halt the rapid progression of time and hold onto the present moment. The lyrics touch on the idea that life seems to move faster as one gets older, leading to a sense of longing for the past and a reluctance to embrace the future.

The song’s gentle acoustic melody, accompanied by Mayer’s emotive vocals and skillful guitar work, contributes to its reflective and somber mood. “Stop This Train” resonates with listeners who can relate to the universal feelings of nostalgia and the desire to preserve cherished moments. The song’s introspective nature and relatable themes have made it a favorite among Mayer’s fans and have contributed to its enduring popularity.

“Stop This Train” has been praised for its honesty and vulnerability, and it stands as a testament to Mayer’s songwriting prowess and his ability to connect with his audience on a deep emotional level. The song’s introspective and heartfelt nature has allowed it to transcend its initial release and remain a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the human experience.


🔍 Looking for more John Mayer piano sheet music? I’ve got John Mayer Favorites: Volume 2 in the works, but in the meantime:


👋 Did I miss one of your favorites? I’m always open to requests so drop me a comment!


Jennifer Eklund
Written by Jennifer Eklund
Jennifer Eklund holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music from California State University, Long Beach. She is an avid arranger, composer, and author of the Piano Pronto¼ method books series as well as a wide variety of supplemental songbooks. She is also a Signature Artist with Musicnotes.com with a large catalog of popular music titles for musicians of all levels.

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