Clarity (John Mayer song)
{{Short description|2004 single by John Mayer}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Clarity
| cover = Clarity single.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = John Mayer
| album = Heavier Things
| released = {{start date|2004|1|12}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-01-09.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1537|page=24|date=January 9, 2004|access-date=June 14, 2021}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 4:32
| label = {{hlist|Aware|Columbia}}
| writer = John Mayer
| producer = Jack Joseph Puig
| prev_title = Bigger Than My Body
| prev_year = 2003
| next_title = Daughters
| next_year = 2004
}}
"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.
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.https://genius.com/John-mayer-clarity-lyrics; https://rick.com/ 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.{{cite web|last=Montgomery|first=James|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2579631/lil-x-director-x/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715093627/http://www.mtv.com/news/2579631/lil-x-director-x/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2018|website=mtv.com|title=LIL X CHANGES HIS NAME TO 'DIRECTOR X,' THOUGH HE COULD HAVE GONE WITH 'RACER X'|date=September 24, 2010|access-date=July 14, 2018}} It was filmed on the Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Coast Highway.{{cite web|last=Dangelo|first=Joe|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1484580/john-mayer-adopts-dont-worry-be-happy-outlook-for-clarity-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005051701/http://www.mtv.com/news/1484580/john-mayer-adopts-dont-worry-be-happy-outlook-for-clarity-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2015|website=mtv.com|title=JOHN MAYER ADOPTS 'DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY' OUTLOOK FOR 'CLARITY' VIDEO|date=January 26, 2004|access-date=July 14, 2018}}
Personnel
- John Mayer – vocals, guitar
- David LaBruyere – bass
- Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards
- Lenny Castro – percussion
- Matt Chamberlain – drums
- Questlove – drums
- Roy Hargrove – trumpet
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2004–2005) !Peak |
| scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade){{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/2005/week-32|title=Tipparade-lijst van week 32, 2005|publisher=Dutch Top 40|language=nl|access-date=March 31, 2023}}
|17 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Dutch100|80|artist=John Mayer|song=Clarity|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2017}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|45|artist=John Mayer|song=Clarity|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2017}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardbubbling100|25|artist=John Mayer|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2017}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultalternativesongs|1|artist=John Mayer|rowheader=true|access-date=January 9, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|13|artist=John Mayer|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2017}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2004) !Position |
| scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs|magazine=Billboard Radio Monitor|volume=12|issue=51|page=26|date=December 17, 2004}}
|38 |
|---|
| scope="row"|US Triple-A (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Triple-A Songs|magazine=Billboard Radio Monitor|volume=12|issue=51|page=54|date=December 17, 2004}}
|9 |
{{col-end}}
Cover version
This song was covered by saxophonist Najee for his album Rising Sun in 2007.{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1113515|pure_url=yes}}|title=Rising Sun: Overview|work=Allmusic.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/albums/HUCD3129/|title=Rising Sun: Najee|work=Concord Music Group|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716004203/http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/albums/HUCD3129/|archive-date=July 16, 2009}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Youtube|id=ULrz-6CSmmM|title=John Mayer - Clarity (Video)}}
- [http://music.yahoo.com/John-Mayer/Clarity/lyrics/2065588 "Clarity"] lyrics, at Yahoo! Music
{{John Mayer}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by Director X