"Who Says" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by John Mayer | ||||
from the album Battle Studies | ||||
Released | October 13, 2009 | |||
Recorded | 2009 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:59 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | John Mayer | |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
John Mayer singles chronology | ||||
|
"Who Says" is the thirteenth single released by American singer-songwriter John Mayer, and the first to be released from his fourth studio album, Battle Studies. It is Mayer's first studio recorded single release since " Say" in 2007. On September 25, 2009, "Who Says" was released on John Mayer's official website.
The song's music video shows images of Mayer clubbing and dining out at night-time paired with scenes of him alone in his apartment, cleaning up and noodling on his guitar. [1] Referencing the video, Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly asked "Who says the life of a rock star—sexy entourage, late-night pool parties, nubile young things dancing on banquettes—is just a mask for acoustic ennui? John Mayer, that's who," and gave the video a "B". [2]
Critical reception of "Who Says" was mixed; though most praised the song musically, some were skeptical of Mayer's explicit reference to drug use. Crystal Bell of Billboard magazine gave a favorable review from the song, saying, "'Who Says' balances Mayer's signature velvety tone with a more stripped-down, folk-inspired arrangement." She added, "Mayer may not be speaking in grandiose terms about changing the world or marveling over a woman's beauty, but maybe that's the point." [3] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly said of the single "Mayer channels Cat Stevens, Jason Mraz, and every camp counselor you ever had on this soft-rockin' celebration of women, wild times, and getting stoned." and gave the song a "B". [4]
On the week ending October 31, 2009, "Who Says" debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his sixth and final top twenty hit and fourth highest-charting single on the Hot 100 to date. [5] However, it also marks his lowest-charting single to date on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, peaking at No. 19, thus snapping a recent streak of five consecutive singles to reach the Top Ten on the format. By the week ending November 21, 2009, the song had reached number one on Billboard's Triple A chart. With this single, Mayer tied Jack Johnson for most Triple A number ones (six) among male artists. [6]
In Australia, "Who Says" peaked at No. 31 on the ARIA Singles Charts and is certified gold for sales of 35,000 copies. [7]
Chart (2009–2010) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia ( ARIA) [8] | 31 |
Canada ( Canadian Hot 100) [9] | 24 |
Denmark ( Tracklisten) [10] | 8 |
Japan ( Japan Hot 100) [11] | 51 |
Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40) [12] | 18 |
Netherlands ( Single Top 100) [13] | 13 |
Norway ( VG-lista) [14] | 2 |
Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan) [15] | 10 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [16] | 17 |
US Adult Alternative Songs ( Billboard) [17] | 1 |
US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard) [18] | 19 |
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard) [19] | 34 |
Chart (2010) | Position |
---|---|
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [20] | 91 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia ( ARIA) [21] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Denmark ( IFPI Danmark) [22] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
United States ( RIAA) [23] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
The song's opening line ("Who says I can't get stoned?") has been taken to refer to cannabis intoxication. Rolling Stone published this quote from Mayer on his take on the line, indicating that this is a simplistic interpretation: "When I sing it, I do not think about marijuana — I think about walking around your house naked with a guitar. It's about being in control of the pleasure in your life." [24]
"Who Says" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by John Mayer | ||||
from the album Battle Studies | ||||
Released | October 13, 2009 | |||
Recorded | 2009 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:59 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | John Mayer | |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
John Mayer singles chronology | ||||
|
"Who Says" is the thirteenth single released by American singer-songwriter John Mayer, and the first to be released from his fourth studio album, Battle Studies. It is Mayer's first studio recorded single release since " Say" in 2007. On September 25, 2009, "Who Says" was released on John Mayer's official website.
The song's music video shows images of Mayer clubbing and dining out at night-time paired with scenes of him alone in his apartment, cleaning up and noodling on his guitar. [1] Referencing the video, Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly asked "Who says the life of a rock star—sexy entourage, late-night pool parties, nubile young things dancing on banquettes—is just a mask for acoustic ennui? John Mayer, that's who," and gave the video a "B". [2]
Critical reception of "Who Says" was mixed; though most praised the song musically, some were skeptical of Mayer's explicit reference to drug use. Crystal Bell of Billboard magazine gave a favorable review from the song, saying, "'Who Says' balances Mayer's signature velvety tone with a more stripped-down, folk-inspired arrangement." She added, "Mayer may not be speaking in grandiose terms about changing the world or marveling over a woman's beauty, but maybe that's the point." [3] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly said of the single "Mayer channels Cat Stevens, Jason Mraz, and every camp counselor you ever had on this soft-rockin' celebration of women, wild times, and getting stoned." and gave the song a "B". [4]
On the week ending October 31, 2009, "Who Says" debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his sixth and final top twenty hit and fourth highest-charting single on the Hot 100 to date. [5] However, it also marks his lowest-charting single to date on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, peaking at No. 19, thus snapping a recent streak of five consecutive singles to reach the Top Ten on the format. By the week ending November 21, 2009, the song had reached number one on Billboard's Triple A chart. With this single, Mayer tied Jack Johnson for most Triple A number ones (six) among male artists. [6]
In Australia, "Who Says" peaked at No. 31 on the ARIA Singles Charts and is certified gold for sales of 35,000 copies. [7]
Chart (2009–2010) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia ( ARIA) [8] | 31 |
Canada ( Canadian Hot 100) [9] | 24 |
Denmark ( Tracklisten) [10] | 8 |
Japan ( Japan Hot 100) [11] | 51 |
Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40) [12] | 18 |
Netherlands ( Single Top 100) [13] | 13 |
Norway ( VG-lista) [14] | 2 |
Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan) [15] | 10 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [16] | 17 |
US Adult Alternative Songs ( Billboard) [17] | 1 |
US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard) [18] | 19 |
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard) [19] | 34 |
Chart (2010) | Position |
---|---|
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [20] | 91 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia ( ARIA) [21] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Denmark ( IFPI Danmark) [22] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
United States ( RIAA) [23] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
The song's opening line ("Who says I can't get stoned?") has been taken to refer to cannabis intoxication. Rolling Stone published this quote from Mayer on his take on the line, indicating that this is a simplistic interpretation: "When I sing it, I do not think about marijuana — I think about walking around your house naked with a guitar. It's about being in control of the pleasure in your life." [24]