Clarity (John Mayer song)

"Clarity" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter John Mayer, arranged with piano, with drums provided in part by The Roots drummer Questlove, and brass by two-time Grammy winner Roy Hargrove. It was released as the second single from Mayer's second studio album, Heavier Things (2003), on January 12, 2004.

"Clarity"
Single by John Mayer
from the album Heavier Things
ReleasedJanuary 12, 2004 (2004-01-12)[1]
Length4:32
Label
Songwriter(s)John Mayer
Producer(s)Jack Joseph Puig
John Mayer singles chronology
"Bigger Than My Body"
(2003)		 "Clarity"
(2004)		 "Daughters"
(2004)

Lyrics

The song's meaning is not immediately clear. Many have interpreted the song as being about a person's own self-perception, and Mayer explained during an interview with Rick Dees in 2003 that the song "really sums up who I am as a guy...what it would be like to be in a room with me after I'm done 'being on'." Mayer also added that "Clarity" was about coping with the worries--especially unnecessary worries--of everyday life.[2] Reiterating this idea at his February 28, 2007 show at Madison Square Garden, Mayer introduced "Clarity" as a song written about the first few seconds after waking up in the morning when you don't remember all of the problems and worries in your life. At the "Soundstage with Buddy Guy" concert, Mayer explained the song as one of the best he's done, in that it's the best in portraying his thoughts and feelings.

Commercial performance

"Clarity" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart and number 25 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

Music video

The music video for "Clarity" was directed by Director X.[3] It was filmed on the Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Coast Highway.[4]

Personnel
  • John Mayer – vocals, guitar
  • David LaBruyere – bass
  • Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards
  • Lenny Castro – percussion
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums
  • Questlove – drums
  • Roy Hargrove – trumpet

Charts
Chart (2004–2005) Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[5] 17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[6] 80
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7] 45
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[8] 25
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[9] 1
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[10] 13

Cover version

This song was covered by saxophonist Najee for his album Rising Sun in 2007.[11][12]

References
  1. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1537. January 9, 2004. p. 24. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  2. https://genius.com/John-mayer-clarity-lyrics; https://rick.com/
  3. Montgomery, James (September 24, 2010). "LIL X CHANGES HIS NAME TO 'DIRECTOR X,' THOUGH HE COULD HAVE GONE WITH 'RACER X'". mtv.com. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  4. Dangelo, Joe (January 26, 2004). "JOHN MAYER ADOPTS 'DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY' OUTLOOK FOR 'CLARITY' VIDEO". mtv.com. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  5. "Tipparade-lijst van week 32, 2005" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  6. "John Mayer – Clarity" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  7. "John Mayer – Clarity". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  8. "John Mayer Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  9. "John Mayer Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  10. "John Mayer Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  11. "Rising Sun: Overview". Allmusic.com.
  12. "Rising Sun: Najee". Concord Music Group. Archived from the original on July 16, 2009.
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