How John Mayer's 'As/Is' Prepared Me For Life

It's hard to be a fan of John Mayer. He's like that friend you grew up with that you swear is a good guy but who has no clue on how to navigate social situations and offends almost everyone. You get where all the naysayers are coming from though, you can't really reconcile it yourself. How can a guy who seems like... well, sort of a douche, write such staying and emotionally honest songs? Honestly, I'm not too certain. But, he does. And the 10th anniversary of "As/If" is the perfect reminder that somewhere, deep, deep down, he's gotta have a heart. A super sensitive one. One that helped to prepare you for life. It's that serious, guys.

It'd be easy to dismiss him, his blasé attitude, his aloofness, his "Stupid Mouth," but when you've come of age to a live John Mayer album, you feel this sort of twisted loyalty to him. After all, before a girl named Taylor Swift came along (completely ironically), I didn't know a stranger who could so readily relay the feelings I thought that only I was experiencing and do it so melodically. He sort of simultaneously helped me through all of my first heartbreak-y feelings and taught me that true talent is best experienced live... or ya know, in a live album compilation. Hey, it's hard getting the money to pay for concert tickets when you're young and why not experience a variety of albums/concerts in one? See? Mayer taught us how to be frugal, too.

Here's just a few other things that this magical album helped us in various aspects of our lives:

HOW TO KICK BACK AND RELAX

What do they say? Something about music taming the beast and all that. Yeah, you're a beast, too and this stuff works.

YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

You're covered in Rain, your heart is filled with rain, it's actually raining... it's all relative.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE REGRETS

And sometimes you might make the wrong decision or the right one that can be difficult to cope with.

Also, let it be noted that JM did the whole "sweat pants no make up" thing way before Drake did. Still, the sentiment is appreciated.

IN RELATIONSHIPS, IF YOU MESS UP, JUST WRITE A SONG ABOUT IT

Babe, I know I broke your $500 phone. But please, just come back to bed we'll snuggle a new phone into existence.

MUSIC HEALS, DUH

The melodramatics of this song and it's funeral-like vibes signifying the end of relationship/your dead soul will never, ever be lost on me and my soap opera loving heart. This song will forever be one of my favorites.

When you grow up in the age of bubblegum pop, you're not completely aware of music's cathartic attributes. But after listening to this guy pour his soul into a performance in front of thousands of people cheering him on, you realize that's there's gotta be something to that.

I mean, before this, I thought carrying a snake around your neck was as deep as it got.

HOW TO BROACH THE SUBJECT OF SEX WITH YOUR PARENTS

"Hey, Ma! Why is he swimming in blank--"

..."OH."

Well, kinda.

DON'T LOOK FOR MATERIAL OR SURFACE THINGS TO FULFILL YOU

Guys, he can be deep. And profound. When he wants to.

YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON AN EXPERIENCE

Like hearing this or any of his songs live. You haven't lived until you see him do a back bend on stage whilst playing the guitar and sporting a headband.

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