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

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.