Bigger Than My Body

"Bigger Than My Body" is the first single released by John Mayer from his second album Heavier Things.[1] As a B-side, the single contained a cover of Radiohead's "Kid A" and an original song that was not included on Heavier Things, "Tracing". The intro to the song was generated using an Adrenalinn effects processor developed by Roger Linn.

"Bigger Than My Body"
Single by John Mayer
from the album Heavier Things
B-side
ReleasedAugust 25, 2003
GenrePop rock
Length4:26
Label
Songwriter(s)John Mayer
Producer(s)Jack Joseph Puig
John Mayer singles chronology
"Why Georgia"
(2003)		 "Bigger Than My Body"
(2003)		 "Clarity"
(2004)
Alternative cover

Lyrics

Mayer composed the song after going to a Coldplay concert. He wrote it to explain his desire to write both moving and great music, like what he found in artists like Coldplay, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Pearl Jam.[2] At the same time, he commented on the frustration of not being able to get the music outside of his own body.

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor with Billboard called the tune "a pulsating midtempo pop/rocker ready to take center stage at mainstream and adult top 40."[3] USA remarked that on the track, Mayer "delivers a contagious melody, an exhilarating arrangement and lyrics that are thoughtful and touching without stooping to sentimentality or bombast."

Track listing
  1. "Bigger Than My Body" (John Mayer) - 4:26
  2. "Kid A" - 2:52 - Radiohead cover
  3. "Tracing" (Mayer) - 3:18

Other versions

"Bigger Than My Body" was performed live on tour following the release of Heavier Things. In that tour, Mayer had several concerts recorded, four of which were then sold online on iTunes as "As/Is". "Bigger Than My Body" appeared on two of these releases, the California performance at Mountain View and the Texas performance at The Woodlands (and runs for 6:17, almost two minutes longer than the album and single version). The concerts were then compiled into a "best of as/is" CD, but "Bigger Than My Body" didn't make the cut. On Mayer's former website, an acoustic version of "Bigger Than My Body" was available to listen to using its music player, but this version has never been made available otherwise.

When played on the radio, the bridge was shortened for radio friendliness, like the bridge in "Your Body Is a Wonderland". Also, some radio stations cut out the end of the song as well.

Personnel
  • John Mayer - vocals, guitar
  • David LaBruyere - bass
  • Jamie Muhoberac - keyboards
  • Lenny Castro - percussion
  • Matt Chamberlain - drums
  • Greg Liesz - lap steel guitar

Charts
Chart (2003–04) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[4] 38
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[5] 21
UK Singles (OCC)[6] 72
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 33
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[8] 1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[9] 27
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[10] 4
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[11] 22

References
  1. "John Mayer at ease with 'Heavier Things'". CNN. October 3, 2003. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  2. Moss, Corey (July 24, 2003). John Mayer Tries Hip-Hop With Help From Roots' ?uestlove MTV.com 2007-11-15
  3. Taylor, Chuck (2003-08-23), "Bigger Than My Body," Billboard Vol. 115 Issue 34, p70
  4. "Australian-charts.com – John Mayer – Bigger Than My Body". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  5. "Charts.nz – John Mayer – Bigger Than My Body". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  6. "John Mayer: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  7. "John Mayer Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  8. "John Mayer Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  9. "John Mayer Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  10. "John Mayer Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  11. "John Mayer Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
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