Helpless

Album: The Search for Everything (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written during the sessions for John Mayer's 2012 Born and Raised album. The singer told MSM's Richard Young that though he "adored" the track, everybody else "did not like it." Mayer added: " It was one of the only times where my compass was off."
  • Mayer eventually recorded the song live in the studio along with bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Steve Jordan. The threesome released a live album in 2005 Try! as the John Mayer Trio. Following the release of that record, Palladino kept busy with session work, and as the touring bassist for The Who, while Jordan was also much in demand in his role as a record producer.

    The John Mayer Trio eventually reconvened in the mid-2010s to work on The Search For Everything. "Pino is so inventive without trying that this track is his track," Mayer told Rolling Stone of the bassist's contribution to this tune. "You get disco overtones but it's all implied."
  • The song is led by a guitar line which is reminiscent, according to Rolling Stone, of late Seventies and early Eighties Stones. Mayer described the track as "wish fulfillment recording," because it allowed him to dabble with retro guitar tones he's always loved. "I picture myself opening a show with this song," he said. "It straddles a lot of different vibes at once."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.