Idolator

"His empathetic voice and emotional fearlessness elevate songs like Your Body Is a Wonderland and Daughters from pop ballads into more meaningful territory; give them half a chance, and during vulnerable moments, they'll be your friends for life."

It doesn't take courage to sing sappy ballads as a means to nail hot college girls. He's the "sensitive guy" in your Freshman dorm who plays guitar and plows through the entire floor of girls in the first couple months before they all realize he's a bit of a douche. The sad part is that he's actaully a really good guitar player. You just wouldn't know it by listening to any of his popular songs.

Actually, I have hung out with John Mayer on more than one occasion back when he used to live in Atlanta and dated a couple friends of mine. He used to play somewhat regular "surprise" shows at frat bars in Athens, GA (home to University of Georgia) to stroke his ego. The guy was anything but humble, much less a "passive wuss," as this description would indicate.
I recall his dick-ness increasing greatly after a 10-word mention buried somewhere in Rolling Stone. Oh Time magazine, the real "disturbing cultural phenomenon" is the fact that you have the audacity to comment on music at all.

you'll discover that Mayer wields sincerity like a pitchfork

That had to be intentional.

That "run through the halls of my high school" song might have lead three kids to Style Council and other Weller products, which it apes so assiduously.

Other than he's gross. Well, including that, really.

don't underestimate the power of really smooth music.

if we're lucky maybe there will be a mayer/simpson collaboration.

Every time I hear mention of the title 'your body is a wonderland' i get the giggles... it's like he lifted that line from a developmentally disabled kid at the homecoming dance.

What I don't get is how those three were included on a list of influential people. Here's a test: quick, name three influential people in the music biz! If you answered Mayer, Rubin or Timberlake you should have to clean your desk out by Monday.

"...modern-day version of Loggins and/or Messina." No way. Name one John Mayer song that's as good as "Danger Zone" or "I'm Alright."

@rchick: muhahahahaha!!! perfect. Sorta like George McFly's " ...you're my DEN-sity...".

"Rubin? Sure, we'll give them this one, even though his biggest commercial success has been with some of his weakest albums."

We're still feeling the effects of his work with Run DMC and Slayer, and if anyone can make Metallica kick ass again, it is him. Shit, he helped give Slipknot depth!

John Gayer...influential...he's more annoying than anything.

I don't like Mayer's music, but I can't knock a guy that's fucking Jessica Simpson, that demands respect.

As for influential... Jay-Z maybe? Not because he's a famous rapper, because he's the president of Def Jam Records. Seriously, Mayer and Timberlake hold more sway over the direction of popular music than any label president? Or head of A&R, for that matter? Shit, I'll go out on a limb and say Ultragrrrl carries more weight than these guys, and I ain't just talkin' about her chest. Zoing!

@Ned Raggett: Word. They could've said "like a scythe" or "a broadsword." They didn't pick "pitchfork" out of thin air.

And backing up with Nimrod said, the problem with Mayer in particular is - even if you like the guy - he's not influential at all, unless you're talking about influencing soccer moms to pull out their wallets.

onceagain, Time leaves me off the list, even after all the threatening letters I sent them. I wonder if I've got the right address.

John Mayer has influenced me to bang hot blond airheads with large chests. So I'm forever indebted to him.

P.S. I know Messina. And Mayer, you are no Messina.

What I find laughable is no matter what Mayer puts out in the future he will probably only be remembered most for Your Body is a Wonderland, and that is a god awful song. Like when it was used to perfection in the Benihana Christmas episode of the office. Id rather listen to Falco.

they missed the difference between being influential, meaning, influences other people, and being influenced, meaning drawing on everything and everyone around you and before you to make music.

Ha! Picking John Mayer is totally "Justified!"

Looking at that pic of Mayer, I think they picked the wrong JM: ;ooks like the same room where James Murphy did a photoshoot.

Now Murphy and LCD Soundsystem, I could understand.