It’s been too long since I’ve written anything. Finals week and the beginning of summer got in the way. Fortunately, this song gave me all the motivation I needed.
John Mayer has been killing it recently. Although his most recent album wasn’t my favorite, 2012’s Born and Raised was incredible, and showcased a more lyrical, folksy side to his music. Lots of people write him off for his less-than-cuddly personality and his propensity to date pop stars, but he’s one of the most talented people in the music industry.
And then there’s Beyoncé.
The best, and most underrated, song on Beyoncé’s last album was XO. Period. To this point, it hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves, which is really a shame. Not that the other singles were bad, but I personally thought XO was fantastic. Everything from the production, to the songwriting, to the Terry Richardson-directed guerrilla music video at Coney Island. In my opinion, this is Beyoncé as she isn’t always portrayed, and it’s Beyoncé at her best. Evidently John Mayer agreed, because he came through with this acoustic cover early this morning.
I love it. It’s perfect. You won’t convince me otherwise.
This is without a doubt one of my favorite things to happen in music this year. That may seem hyperbolic, but I can’t otherwise explain how well I think this track works.
If you want to hear a catchy Beyoncé single turned into an intimate acoustic ballad with some harmonica, you are not only a good person, but you are also in luck. Simple and wonderfully relaxing, this is perfect summer music. Thank you, John Mayer.