Have you ever listened to the Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreamin'" and thought to yourself, "Dude, this song is cool and all, but it'd be even better if it had about 5 times more bluesy licks and 10,000 times more guitar-face?" Me neither! John Mayer has, though, and since he is John Mayer and we are us, he got to play his version of the '60s classic on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien last night. It was fine, I guess? In addition to his John Mayer Trio bros, J.M. was joined by a children's choir, which makes me want to refrain from saying any more possibly mean things about this performance since those kids are really just innocent bystanders. So watch it for yourself below (clip spotted at Idolator), and you tell me: Is there any reason for this cover to exist?
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There’s NO reason for any cover of this song to exist. It’s perfect as it is. Wistful little pop ditty.
I haven’t watched this and can’t at work. But I can guarantee you there is a reason for it. His cover of Free Fallin’ is amazing. Better than the original. As is his cover of Message in a Bottle. Step off my JM.
That felt “off” to me. The Mamas and the Papas don’t deserve that.
I liked it.
why is JM so impressed with himself? no one else is.
why is JM so impressed with himself? no one else is.
There is no reason for John Mayer to exist, other than to remind folks he is this decade’s Michael Bolton/Pat Boone.
There is no reason for John Mayer to exist, other than to remind folks he is this decade’s Michael Bolton/Pat Boone.
I’m quite impressed with him and proud to say it. He’s a freakin’ lyrical genius.
There is no reason for John Mayer to exist, other than to remind folks he is this decade’s Michael Bolton/Pat Boone.
I HEARD IT AND IT WAS AWESOME! HE KNOWS HOW TO PLAY THAT GUITAR. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? JEALOUS?
There is no reason for John Mayer to exist, other than to remind folks he is this decade’s Michael Bolton/Pat Boone.
There is no reason for John Mayer to exist, other than to remind folks he is this decade’s Michael Bolton/Pat Boone.
There is no reason for John Mayer to exist, other than to remind folks he is this decade’s Michael Bolton/Pat Boone.
I love when people are so wrapped up in “the original” of any tune that they can’t see genius in a remake even when it’s right under their nose. I also love when people are so deadset on hating (read: being jealous of) John Mayer that they can’t appreciate that he’s the best blues guitarist since SRV, and could make musical gold out of The Macarena if he wanted to.
The pretentiousness of believing that songs can only exist in one version – the original – is annoying and ridiculous. This also applies to the less annoying, but equally pretentious belief that a reinterpretation of a song automatically equals disaster. Lighten up, haters.
THANKYOU! Finally someone making sense. Easily the best blues guitarist of this generation