Not Myself by John Mayer Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Emotional Layers of Change and Identity
Lyrics
I am on my best behavior
There are times
I lose my worried mind
Would you want me when I’m not myself?
Wait it out while I am someone else?
Suppose I said
Colors change for no good reason
And words will go
From poetry to prose
Would you want me when I’m not myself?
Wait it out while I am someone else?
And I
In time
Will come around
I always do for you
Suppose I said
You’re my saving grace
Would you want me when I’m not myself? (My grace, myself)
(Not myself, when I’m someone else)
Wait it out while I am someone else? (When I’m someone else)
(When I’m someone else, when I’m not myself)
Would you want me when I’m not myself?
Wait it out while I am someone else?
Within the tapestry of John Mayer’s discography lies ‘Not Myself,’ a soul-stirring track that is as much an introspective journey as it is a melodic plea. Mayer, known for his poignant lyrics and expressive guitar work, takes listeners through the corridors of self-doubt and change, questioning the steadfastness of love in the face of metamorphosis.
The song, nestled in Mayer’s earlier works, resonates with the vulnerability that comes with growth and the search for acceptance during periods of self-evolution. It’s a ballad that transcends the typical love song format, prompting listeners to explore the profound depths of personal transformation and the fragile threads that bind us to one another.
Unveiling the Chameleon Within: Mayer’s Exploration of Personal Change
Mayer weaves a delicate narrative around the theme of change, likening the shifts in self to the capricious nature of colors transforming ‘for no good reason.’ It’s an analogy that conveys the inexplicable alterations that one experiences with time and life events, sometimes seeming random and devoid of reason.
He captures the universal struggle with identity—how we often become ‘someone else’ as we adapt to circumstances or grapple with our own evolving selves. It’s a confession that even the most seemingly steadfast individuals are not immune to the inevitable metamorphosis of their character and spirit.
The Melodic Sway of Loyalty and Love: Will You Wait for Me?
‘Would you want me when I’m not myself?’ Mayer repeats this line like a mantra throughout the song, seeking reassurance in a space filled with uncertainty. The question isn’t just about desirability during change, but also an inquiry into the resilience of love—can it endure the periods when we’re not the versions of ourselves that we think are most appealing?
The repeated pleas for patience, for someone to ‘wait it out’ while the singer grapples with his transitory self, creates an emotional pendulum that swings between hope and desperation. Mayer taps into the universal fear that our ever-shifting natures could one day push our loved ones away.
From Poetry to Prose: The Loss of Romantic Idealism
In a particularly striking line, Mayer observes how ‘words will go from poetry to prose,’ symbolizing the move from a state of heightened romanticism to mundane, everyday expression. It’s a clever use of literary devices to illustrate how personal and relational dynamics can lose their initial luster.
This shift represents not only the loss of novelty within relationships but also a maturing—a stripping away of idealism in favor of a more solid, albeit less fanciful, form of communication. Mayer subtly raises the question of whether love’s core can survive this transformation.
The Hidden Meaning: A Journey Towards Redemption
While on the surface ‘Not Myself’ seems to orbit the theme of romantic constancy, a deeper dive into its subtle nuances reveals Mayer’s grappling with the concept of redemption. When he sings, ‘And I / In time / Will come around / I always do for you,’ there’s an underlying narrative about overcoming personal demons and returning, redeemed, to the one he loves.
It is not just a promise to revert to an older self, but the assurance of emerging anew—stronger and more refined. This layer adds a richness to the song, as listeners are invited to contemplate the possibility of love encouraging and even facilitating the redemption of the beloved.
Ephemeral Yet Undying: The Song’s Most Memorable Lines
‘Suppose I said / You’re my saving grace’ – Mayer concludes his musings with this tender admission, signifying that despite the metamorphoses of his own self, the beloved remains a constant, a ‘saving grace’ in a sea of change.
This line encapsulates the essence of the track—though we may drift from ourselves and enter the chasms of doubt, the presence of a steadfast love can be both the anchor and the compass. It’s an acknowledgment that even amidst our most profound shifts, some bonds possess the power to ground us and guide us back to who we truly are.
