Daughters (John Mayer song)
Encyclopedia
"Daughters" is the third single from Heavier Things
, the 2003
studio album from blues
singer-songwriter
, John Mayer
. The critically acclaimed song won numerous awards, including the 2005 Grammy Award for Song of the Year
at the 47th Grammy Awards.
Mayer has at various times told different, and sometimes conflicting, stories as to the inspiration for the song, ranging from MTVs "Real World" (in a Sirius Morning Mash Up Show interview in May 2007) to an unnamed ex-girlfriend.
In 2010, on VH1's "Storytellers", Mayer stated that he wrote the song about an ex girlfriend who had trust issues because of her absent father, which lead to the decline and eventual split of their relationship.
" and "Something's Missing
" as singles, as they were more the kind of music he was leaning towards making. However, the label decided that "Daughters" would be more well-received by radio. In 2005, Mayer converted the song into an all-out blues song with his group John Mayer Trio
on the live album, Try!, stripping away the acoustic elements the song had become known for, although not similar version to the "Electric Guitar Mix" of the song as included on the single's re-release.
video of Mayer playing the guitar and singing the song in a dark studio, intercut between scenes of a girl (i.e., a "daughter"). The video clip, directed by Mario Sorrenti
, features the Australian Supermodel Gemma Ward
.
"Come Back to Bed" and "Home Life" are the same live versions that appear on Mayer's as/is volumes released in 2004
covered an instrumental version from album "Yours Truly."
Heavier Things
Heavier Things is the second studio album by American musician John Mayer, released September 9, 2003 on Columbia Records in the United States. The title of the album itself is a subtle response to certain criticism of Mayer's music. The album debuted at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart,...
, the 2003
2003 in music
-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...
studio album from blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
. The critically acclaimed song won numerous awards, including the 2005 Grammy Award for Song of the Year
Grammy Award for Song of the Year
The Song of the Year is one of the four most prestigious awards in the Grammy Awards ceremony, if not in all of the American music industry. It has been awarded since 1959 and unlike the Record of the Year award, which goes to the performer and production team of a single song, Song of the Year...
at the 47th Grammy Awards.
Content
Lyrically, "Daughters" is an admonition to fathers (and to a lesser extent mothers) to nurture their daughters in their childhood, because the relationship will affect their future relationships with men as adults. He uses his own troubled lover to illustrate his belief:Mayer has at various times told different, and sometimes conflicting, stories as to the inspiration for the song, ranging from MTVs "Real World" (in a Sirius Morning Mash Up Show interview in May 2007) to an unnamed ex-girlfriend.
In 2010, on VH1's "Storytellers", Mayer stated that he wrote the song about an ex girlfriend who had trust issues because of her absent father, which lead to the decline and eventual split of their relationship.
Release controversy
Mayer had been resistant on releasing the song as a single, and was still skeptical despite the Grammy win, which he mentioned in his speech upon receiving the award. On several occasions, Mayer had pushed to release the songs "Come Back to BedCome Back to Bed
"Come Back to Bed" is a song by John Mayer. It is the fifth track from Heavier Things, Mayer's second studio album. Mayer has mentioned that his song, "Daughters", wasn't suitable as a single...
" and "Something's Missing
Something's Missing
"Something's Missing" is a song by John Mayer. It is the third track from Heavier Things, Mayer's second studio album. This song is distinct from all other songs by Mayer as it was the only song to have appeared on every live release Mayer had contributed to up to Where the Light Is. This included...
" as singles, as they were more the kind of music he was leaning towards making. However, the label decided that "Daughters" would be more well-received by radio. In 2005, Mayer converted the song into an all-out blues song with his group John Mayer Trio
John Mayer Trio
In February 2005, the trio played Mayer's single "Daughters" at the 47th Grammy Awards, for which Mayer went on to win the award for Best Male Vocal Performance later that night . The Trio released "Come When I Call" exclusively to iTunes...
on the live album, Try!, stripping away the acoustic elements the song had become known for, although not similar version to the "Electric Guitar Mix" of the song as included on the single's re-release.
Music video
The music video is a grayscaleGrayscale
In photography and computing, a grayscale or greyscale digital image is an image in which the value of each pixel is a single sample, that is, it carries only intensity information...
video of Mayer playing the guitar and singing the song in a dark studio, intercut between scenes of a girl (i.e., a "daughter"). The video clip, directed by Mario Sorrenti
Mario Sorrenti
Mario Sorrenti is a photographer and director best known for his spreads of nude models in the pages of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar....
, features the Australian Supermodel Gemma Ward
Gemma Ward
Gemma Louise Ward is an Australian fashion model turned actress.-Early life:Gemma Ward was born on 3 November 1987 in Perth, Western Australia, the second of four children of Gary Ward, a doctor, and Claire, a nurse. She has an older sister, Sophie , and younger twin brothers, Oscar and Henry...
.
Chart performance
| Chart (2004-2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... Top 40 Digital Tracks |
53 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 29 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
19 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 2 |
Original release
- "Daughters" – 3:59
- "Come Back to BedCome Back to Bed"Come Back to Bed" is a song by John Mayer. It is the fifth track from Heavier Things, Mayer's second studio album. Mayer has mentioned that his song, "Daughters", wasn't suitable as a single...
" – 11:56 (Live at the C.W. Mitchell Pavilion, July 24, 2004) - "Home Life" (David LaBruyereDavid LaBruyereDavid "DeLa" LaBruyere is a musician, songwriter and producer, most notably known as the former longtime bass guitarist for John Mayer. He has also been a member of Vigilantes of Love and worked with Michelle Malone.-External links:*...
/Mayer) – 6:50 (Live at the Shoreline Amplitheaer, July 16, 2004)
"Come Back to Bed" and "Home Life" are the same live versions that appear on Mayer's as/is volumes released in 2004
Re-release
- "Daughters" – 3:59
- "Daughters" (Electric guitar mix) – 3:59
- "Daughters" (Home demo) – 4:07
Cover versions
In 2005, trumpeter Rick BraunRick Braun
Rick Braun is a smooth jazz trumpet player.Before embarking on a solo career, Braun got his start by playing in several bands, including guitarist Jeff Golub's Avenue Blue...
covered an instrumental version from album "Yours Truly."
External links
- John Mayer playing "Daughters" live in New York
- "Daughters" music video on YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- "Daughters" lyrics, at Yahoo! Music
- "John Mayer and His Inspiration for Daughters" (requires Real Player)