"In the Blood" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter John Mayer. The song was released on May 1, 2017[1] as the third single from Mayer's seventh studio album The Search for Everything, following "Love on the Weekend" and "Still Feel Like Your Man". It is Mayer's first song officially released to country radio.[2]
| "In the Blood" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by John Mayer | ||||
| from the album The Search for Everything | ||||
| Released | May 1, 2017 | |||
| Recorded | 2017 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | John Mayer | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| John Mayer singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio video | ||||
| "John Mayer - In the Blood (Official Audio)" on YouTube | ||||
Lyrics
editThe song mentions Mayer's family influence.[3] In his interview with NPR, Mayer said, "It's turning around and pointing at yourself and going 'What's in there?' It's a certain time in your life where you just want to turn yourself upside down and shake everything out and go."[4]
Personnel
edit- John Mayer – vocals, guitar
- Steve Jordan – drums, percussion
- Pino Palladino – bass
- Larry Goldings - keys
- Greg Leisz - lap steel
- Sheryl Crow - vocals
- Production
- John Mayer – producer
- Chad Franscoviak – producer, recording engineer
- Steve Jordan - executive producer
- Martin Pradler – digital editor
- Manny Marroquin – mixing engineer
- Chris Galland – mixing engineer
- Jeff Jackson – assistant engineer
- Robin Florent – assistant engineer
- Greg Calbi – mastering engineer
Themes
editThe song explores the relationship dynamics in his family and how that may have impacted the way he loves. Scott Conklin with Medium says of the song "that Mayer is wondering if the reason he is the way he is is because its something innate in his family. It’s heavy stuff."[5] Gabrielle Ginsberg of Hollywood Life found the record "relatable for anyone who feels like there’s too much of their parents’ personalities in them (and not in a good way)."[6] Mayer has said it's the song that makes him feel the most on the album, and while hesitant to explain it, saying, "If I was gonna go that honest on a song, I wasn't gonna necessarily be a liability to it and color it in," he also said, "When I listened to that back, it was like an anthem for me, about me...[during] a certain time in your life where you just want to turn yourself upside down and shake everything out and go, 'Where's the loose change? What is in here?'"[7]
Critical response
editEntertainment Weekly said the song was "perhaps the first ballad to explore nature versus nurture."[8]
Commercial performance
editThe song became Mayer's first entry on the Billboard country charts. It debuted at number 59 on Billboard Country Airplay[9] and reached a peak position of number 57 the following week. It peaked at number 39 on Billboard Hot Country Songs.
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Cover version
editThe song was covered by American a cappella group Home Free.[14] The music video of the cover version was released on August 30, 2017.[15]
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[16] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Cantor, Brian (May 1, 2017). "John Mayer's "In The Blood" Officially Released To Country Radio". Headline Planet. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
- ^ Asker, Jim (May 5, 2017). "John Mayer Crosses Over to Country With Folky Single 'In the Blood'". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ Stefano, Angela (May 2, 2017). "JOHN MAYER SHIPS 'IN THE BLOOD' TO COUNTRY RADIO". The Boot. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ Schlanger, Talia (April 14, 2017). "'There is no John Mayer': On Returning To Life: World Cafe". NPR. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ Conklin, Scott (26 April 2017). "Album Review of "The Search for Everything" by John Mayer". Medium. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ^ Ginsberg, Gabriella (14 April 2017). "If John Mayer's New Album Is An Attempt To Win Back Katy Perry, It's A Poor One". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ^ Schlanger, Talia (April 14, 2017). "'There Is No John Mayer': On Returning To Life". NPR.org. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ^ FARBER, JIM (April 14, 2017). "John Mayer's 'The Search for Everything': EW Review". EW.com. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ^ Asker, Jim (May 2, 2017). "Brad Paisley's 'War' Breaks Out at No. 1; John Mayer Makes Country Chart Debut". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "John Mayer Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "John Mayer Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "John Mayer Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ Houghton, Cillea (November 7, 2017). "HOME FREE: JOHN MAYER'S 'IN THE BLOOD' LENDS ITSELF TO COUNTRY". Taste of Country. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "John Mayer - In the Blood (Home Free Version) (Country Music)". YouTube.
- ^ "American single certifications – John Mayer – In the Blood". Recording Industry Association of America. February 16, 2021.