John Mayer and Paul Simon - Boy In The Bubble

[bigdjindustriez]

In my experience, any worthwhile musician that I've met listens to and enjoys Mayer. The posers are the ones that dismiss him as a "pop idol". Nobody cares what he does with women, if you had his money and fame you'd be doing the same thing and you know it.

[anthonypepitoneVideo]

Simon's voice is still great!

[eternalbd]

Genius- been awed by him since the 60s.

[streethassled]

Give me Paul Simon any day. He makes this song work like....like clockwork!

[SanaKamranButt]

EPIC!!

[SanaKamranButt]

my mind gets blown wen John starts his vocals at 1:15

[bearkt]

Paul and John...pretty good combination. I think it has been used before! :-P

[12bulkhead]

I had no idesa this could only be performed with a guitar.

[MsMotownSoul]

Paul Simon sounds unbelievable!!! AWESOME. John Mayer's voice has a unique sound to it, but unfortunately it doesn't match Paul's. I think that's ppl's biggest issue with it.

[huston3]

Sorry, I have to disagree with you all....I'm not particularly a fan of Mayer (everyone's got his taste,, ok?), but I think his voice is so much better for this song than Simon's....

[maleksiuk]

Chamera.

[ultimabass]

John Mayer's voice is still not all that appealing to me, but boy did his solo get me!

[Grapes428]

August 1, 2004 I think is the date.

[mara0facoma]

the guitar has a beautiful sound.........

[klarolivia]

This is so good!

[streethassled]

Rock n Roll Mount Rushmore, his face would be up there with Dylan, Reed, Young and Hendrix...and Im a New Zealander....

[SimonEndeacott]

Love it!

Check out my modest cover :-)

[Guitarron28]

yeah, I think the most appealing thing about being a well known musician like mayer is not the fame, its the fact that you get to meet, and possibly play with them either seriously or privately for fun..I would give anything to do that

[nathanpc334]

wow...john mayer..got to play with a legend

[Mharr1s]

He has played with many legends

[hippiedad71]

the fact that he is on stage with simon shows how much talent he has...the old timers love this kids drive to be one of the best

[lissak27]

John Mayer does not deserve to be in the same room as Paul Simon, let alone performing with him on the same stage.

[YankeeGirl226]

Yet you are commenting on him, so what does that say about you?

[lissak27]

Uhh it says that I was browsing Paul Simon clips on YouTube, stumbled across this video, and decided to express my opinion.

[ZupaDub]

..did anyone else want to cough for the young man??

i did ...

loved the Maestro playing guitar with him though...Mr Simon generously & joyfully shares his pleasure in music....it shows

lovely harmony fades  ...lovely one.

thanks for posting this

xxx

[irelephant]

This is transcendent, you can tell there is love, respect, and admiration going both ways. Gotta love how tight their sound is - an how they transcend the usual generational barriers in pop music.

[SomethingStupide]

Everybody would be nervous sitting next to Paul Simon being supposed to sing!

[Mharr1s]

you are all fools. This was a long time ago... John can actually sing now. Probably better than paul

[mamandes]

John seems a little nervous, but still a great collaboration.

[airuok]

Whatever our personal opinions may be, if Paul is cool with John on this song then we should accept it for what it is.

[lumpfish99]

hes not really a great guitar player....i would like to hear something impressive, ill wait i guess...

[jpg0572]

True. What does John actually add to this? A lot of distraction.

[jonnycox001]

I love the way John plays on this, but he is also one of the luckiest in the world to have had the opportunity to play with Mr. Simon. I have learned so much from both of them... Love this performance! Thanks for posting!

[acerbdmc]

why do singers today put on this weird 'cool guy' accent - sounds like crap

[jonnycox001]

John kinda has that naturally (unfortunately) - that breathy "radio-voice" vocal sound. I'm sure he didn't choose it though hahah

He's admitted it bothers him, but it's what he's been stuck with. Listen to the "Where The Light Is" DVD to hear to him sing really good (track 3-5) - it's great.

[bferg531]

the only part of mayer's singing i liked was when paul was backing him up. i dont mind the blues guitar twist mayer put on it but please leave the singing to the master.

[geezloueeze]

I like the young Jm. Before the Hollywood Entourage scene. I want our boy back.

[bonepicker1]

I think that John Mayor is a very capable singer. His vocal style is more like a jazz singer, along the lines of a michael franks. I wonder if more people are offended by his voice, because he sounds more like an R&B singer instead of rock or pop.

[wmd66]

It is his off stage antics that irritate people with John Mayer. The guy is a goof....very, very talented..but a complete goof. He should just shut up and play music.

[crystalgray4]

Oh dear goodness. I cringed when John Mayer started singing. Ick. He shouldn't be allowed to sing such a great song.

[mammers11]

you know paul simon's songs are masterful because it's Hard to do a bad rendition of them...not knocking John Mayer, but they shine always no matter what

[StevenSuffokate]

brilliant. two of my favorite singer/songwriters. its awesome both of these guys did a song together. does anyone know if they did a whole set or just this one song? if so where can i find more?

[HuckleberrySlim]

very cool. what a weird way to end it though.

[oneeightywest]

John Mayer sings like he's been punched in the mouth.

" Dese ah da days uh meeracal an' wanda "

[testarope]

Paul Simon gets my vote for most brilliant musician of the modern age. He is 67 years old here, and that is incredible! These lyrics seem prophetic.

[afroluv0708]

these are the days of brilliant duets

[smootchick]

This was recorded on May 14, 2004 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. The duo was part of a planned series called "In Tune" on VH1, sponsored by Bailey's. I would love to find the rest of the program if anyone has it (I was there that night).

[mattgav23]

im not much of a fan of mayer, but that was a great solo. and this song would suck if it werent for paul's singing. : )

[1950jimbei]

Seemingly a weird match-up, but surprisingly well matched. Maybe no surprise; both played with Herbie Hancock on the same album "Possibilities" (2005). Their paths must have crossed somewhere along the line. And here's another possibility achieved!

[bigchinasean]

Who is that guy with John Mayer? IS that his father? Why don't they have the same last name. And why does he wear a hat indoors? Why does he make us wait to hear our generation's John Lennon sing?

[mengsunny]

Faint!

Don't you know Paul Simon ?

[bigchinasean]

Isn't he Art Garfunkel's lackey?

[CuteBear35]

um that guy with john mayer is paul simon

[Toddsabadass]

you are a fool for everything you have said

[bigchinasean]

Yes, a fool! Next step: BADASS!!!! Can't wait to see your cleverness there Todd. Todd you are probably not a lonely man.

[bigchinasean]

Really? Really? You don't think John Mayer is our generations' John Lennon? Or what specifically did you take to be sincere? Hyperbole and litotes: figures of speech to be avoided on youtube. Copy that crouch, now go back to your university professorship.

[bigchinasean]

You didn't read my response. Or look up litotes. Thanks for not making an effort, this is my life after all, and you are my mentor. Maybe I was feigning ignorance? I can't remember. But I'll trust you.  I miss you, call me.

[bigchinasean]

Imagine how different things could have been had that been your first response! Imagine. Do it.

[merdufer]

dude, you really are proud of your terrible sense of sarcasm.

[myaniqued]

oy vay ... please .. stop ... You Are Annoying ! sigh.

[jonfromcanada]

Augh, what is Simon doing with the likes of a fairy-pop boy like Mayer?

[jpg0572]

exactly. horrors!

[CommonmanVideos]

Simon is truly great but Mayer is alright too, but Simons the best

[KMHN3]

I could not love anyone more than i love Paul Simon. and im a young girl believe it or not. He is the greatest living singer songwriter and composer on the planet. i love love love him!! oh the things i would do to him in his sleep. LOL.

[lilfellahuh]

would you know how to find the clip of them singing slip slidin away ?

[KillMeNow1990]

This is how I came to like John Mayer. I always blew him off, but once I saw him playing with the best songwriter in the world, I gave him a shot.

[roma11giu]

Paul Simon is ALWAYS perfect.. I really love him.. this song is fantastic!!

[Rothko50]

This ROCKS! Always loved the song anyway, but with Mayer...Automatic favorite.

[sharonruth7]

This was one of my favorites off of "Graceland" I'm thrilled to see John Mayer singing with Paul Simon. There is a video of a concert this year where John performed it again and it is much better in my opinion. Nothing replaces Paul of course. This album was one of the greatest of all times in my opinion.

[tobzloz]

BEST this is the BEST.

[whoijacket]

Awesome video. Great version.

[trublgrl]

Great performance and a great clip, thanks for uploading it!

This shows the difference between Paul Simon and most pop singers, even knowing this song like the back of my hand, I couldn't understand half of JM's lyrics. Paul always annunciates his words. Maybe he cares about the words he's written, like he thinks they mean something and we the listeners can get something by understanding the song he's giving us?

LOVE YOU PAUL!!!

[Mharr1s]

johns singing wasnt very good back then.  So much better now though better than paul now i'd say.

[jmfangrrl]

Agree with whoever below said this was from awhile ago. John's overall singing, from the breath control and tone to his diction and power has improved exponentially since his earlier work. The guitar work here is amazing though, and overall I love the performance. John's very good at this: performing with legends and heroes, respecting their work and paying homage in his own way.

[mellowmood63]

Can't get enough of this. I used to have this whole special on tape and I lost the damn thing. Do you have any more of this?

[Bel9200]

Wow, what a treat! Two of my fave artists of all time collaborating. I never knew this existed until I saw JM performed Boy in the Bubble at last night's concert an came on You Tube to see if anyone had posted it yet. Thanks!

[jonnycox001]

His sweet dirty electric tone and Pauls great Martin sound sooo good together! I love these takes.

[uyd]

Thanks for the great post. What a talented pair.

[tmoore4075]

Great video. Anymore of this show out there? I remember watching it on VH1 in the summer of 04. Just stumbled across it late one night after work. Turned me on to "Daughters" before it made it big and to "Train in the Distance." Not much better than John and Paul. Thanks.

[huttwigley]

My favorite Paul Simon tune ever. This is a great rendition of it!

[stevevaizorz]

this version is alright in my opinion could be alot better, mainly the singing

[ngenes2006]

Lovin it..lovin it

[woutanh]

i actually like this version. it's different, but thats okay.

music isn't supposed to be played the same way twice. otherwise we wouldn't bother go see our favorite musicians in concert.

it's kinda hip.

[vidaliasweet]

Was seriously hoping this combination would work.......

[jpg0572]

I was too. Bad idea.

[faisal1582]

paul simon had gone too far ahead, but john is getting there

I just hope he doesn't get too commercialised and gets captivated by the glamour and pomp and lose his love for music and falls in love with fame....

Although I am a blind fan of John, gotta admit he still needs a lot of ground to cover before he can be placed in the same vicinity as Paul Simon, Eric Clapton and the like.

Sadly there are bad signs, Compare the lyrics standard of his 1st and 3rd album... and you'll know...

[themaninme]

that mayer dude is such a turn off. his voice is so blues wanna be and his playing is not fresh... sounds like 100000 guitarists before him. but on top of everithing , seeing him on the same stage with paul simon is just nasty

[rich2k4]

stevie ray vaughan sounded exactly like albert king. and when stevie ray vaughan first came on the scene, everyone was saying the same stuff about him. that he's a wannabee, sounds like everyone before him. look how popular SRV is now, amongst the guitar community.

your telling me that no one can sound like guitarists of the past? if that is your goal as a guitarist, then according to me, George Benson, and countless others. you might as well throw your guitar away.

[rich2k4]

in order to find your own voice, you have to copy those before you. just like a baby has to copy the sound his parents make in order to learn speech. But when the kid grows up, he doesn't sound like his parents does he? i think not.

when john plays his own music, he sounds like himself, and that is whats important.

[moltenslag]

Yeah but although mayer has talent, I don't think he brings enough originality to the table. With Stevie ripping off the Kings, you could hear a giant leap in his playing. Even when he was just coming up in the scene, he was far advanced. Mayer hasn't got that evolved sense. Like Clapton he uses a tripod of very good playing, very good songwriting and very good career direction. There's nothing outstanding about him

[rich2k4]

very good playing, very good songwriting, and very good career direction is more then enough, and is all that should matter.

sometimes guitar players get too critical, it's annoying.

[moltenslag]

It is all that should matter but when you see people saying "Best guitarist in the world, theres no one better etc" it does begin to grate. And yes guitar players get too critical but its only in reaction to other comments imo

[rich2k4]

who cares about other people's comments. you should know that there is no such thing as "the best guitar player" and getting worked up over it, is childish.

there was no reason in the first place to slam another musician.

i would never insult another musician, ever. certain players may not strike a chord in me, but i would never go around and say that the musician, is a wannabee or doesn't sound fresh. you will sink very very fast with that kind of attitude. it's not worth it.

[thebomb321]

All you said is very true.

I hate comparing guitar players and saying they are the 'best in the world', and silly poles which opinionated.

Have you heard of Matt Schofield? Check out the song 'Uncle Junior' on youtube. Tell me what you think!

:)

[snowdream84]

yeah there is... his name is Jimmy Page.

[Rothko50]

Say wjat? Qu3pas, Qi4 pas, mi hermano. Tu se pazzo. Konnen sie nicht Vertreib?

Ich denke, nicht.

[snowdream84]

what!?

[SinginChef]

@themaninme Mayer's not really my bag either but he does play better than I do. And he didn't get to be on stage with Paul Simon for nothing. I've found the best rule is "If you can do it better, show us. If you can't, shut up and clap."

[themaninme]

that mayer dude is such a turn off. his voice is so blues wanna be and his playing is not fresh... sounds like 100000 guitarists before him. but on top of everithing , seeing him on the same stage with paul simon is just nasty

[robleblanc]

I gotta admit that I had always thought the lyric was "the mothers and the fathers and the auto managers," but when John Mayer sings here you can tell that it is "automatic earth." This new line is equally arcane and equally brilliant to my misheard one, so I still really like the poetry in the song.

[realfuckinggas]

Kul O0 !!

[the29er]

THis is great - I alwasys loved this song, and it's cool to hear Mayer messing around with it, too - kind of bluesy. I like.

[hunnixox13]

paul simon seems really impressed when john does his solo.he just watches him play.

[camiannas]

Miricle and Wonder!

[timbiba]

legends!

[TheBobcatChannel]

Wonderful!

[nebulae87]

and if it aint HIS srv guitar then its a custom shop 62'

[nebulae87]

is not HIS model dumbasses. His sig model wasnt even close ot being out yet. This is a SRV sig model. John has been using it since before he even made his first album INSIDE WANTS OUT. Trust me...its an SRV.

[coreymorash]

anyone got a videos of john playing his signature?

[stopfightingonutube]

he plays it in lenny/man on the side at his any given thursday concert i think but he does play it at tht concert

[rich2k4]

the guitar is not the srv nor is it the JM.

the JM didn't even come out when this aired.

i believe it is a custom shop 62' strat that was a gift to him from someone that i can't think of right now.

[ssandic]

what, JM with the great legendary Paul Simon?

[coreymorash]

ya its not the srv, not gold hardware, no SRV sig across the headstock top, and the tremelo it on the bottom. Must be the JM....

[dirtydutchT]

dunno can't really see any goldplating ?! Maybe it's just his own sig. That guitar is definitely

sweet!

[coreymorash]

that the SRV sig john is using?

[dirtydutchT]

WOW! this rocks my pants off!

[writofmisanthropy]

thanks for this.

[barry06]

brilliant, please post the entire concert/interview. i know at some point randy jackson starts jammin with them on late in the evening...BRAP