They say the best written songs are country songs and while true, that technically means that country music fans should be able to discover a well written song no matter the genre. It seems they have with John Mayer’s “In the Blood,” the third single from his seventh studio album The Search For Everything.
“In The Blood” was officially shipped to country radio in May (Mayer’s first country radio single) thanks to some high profile support, especially from Bobby Bones. On April 27, Bones tweeted out: “been playing it for 2 weeks now, and listeners have embraced @JohnMayer “in the blood”. other radio companies have as well. keep going” which lead Mayer to humbly and warmly respond:
Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me. Keep this up and you’re gonna change my life. 💥♥️💥 https://t.co/UpbmiN9LMd
— John Mayer (@JohnMayer) April 29, 2017
It really shouldn’t be too much of a shock that Mayer could be appealing to country fans. His 2012 album “Born and Raised” had a dip into a Country/Americana feel, which given his bluesy guitar riffs it’s not hard to find the connection. And while Mayer vocally may not sound like a voice you’d hear on a country station, the characteristics of the song are. The lyrics discuss family and which personality traits he received from his parents and siblings – both good and bad. Mayer’s words are timeless and universal – who hasn’t felt such things about themselves? Again another trait of country music. He makes you think, which is what good songwriters do. It’s what country music songwriters do.
How much like my brothers, do my brothers wanna be?
Does a broken home become another broken family?
Or will we be there for each other, like nobody ever could?
Will it wash out in the water, or is it always in the blood?
There will no doubt be country purists who disagree with hearing Mayer on country radio, but before you question, take a second to listen to the words and think again if this song doesn’t belong on the airwaves.