John Mayer Releases New Album
WHITFIELD: John Mayer and his smooth sound of blues and rock are back. We haven't heard any new music in quite a while, but he's definitely kept himself in the headlines in the meantime. Now Mayer is opening up to CNN about his tarnished image and what he wants now. Here's Brooke Baldwin.</s>BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Contrary to popular belief, John Mayer's new single "Shadow Days" isn't an ode to a woman. It started as a mantra to himself.</s>JOHN MAYER, SINGER/SONGWRITER: I was singing and strumming the guitar and I remember singing "I'm a good man with a good heart." And it was really interesting to hear it sung, because it's not arrogant to say that.</s>BALDWIN: On his new album "Born and Raised" the seven-time Grammy winner writes about picking up the pieces after his very public fall from Grace in 2010. It came to a head in an overly glib interview with "Playboy" where he insulted African-Americans and a pair of high profile ex-girlfriends in one disastrous swoop.</s>MAYER: I think that's probably the only time I did or will sort of just write about that crash, you know, that sort of like violent awakening into adulthood by way of like really the now embarrassing kind of behavior.</s>BALDWIN: Some may call it poetic justice, but after running his mouth, suddenly he lost the ability to speak. He developed granules near his vocal chords that had to be surgically removed. In the meantime, Mayer keeps to himself, sharing his thoughts with his guitar.</s>MAYER: I'm going to make another record. I may have to sing differently.</s>BALDWIN: Brooke Baldwin, CNN.