The video I shot of John Mayer playing “In Your Atmosphere (LA Song)” at Wembley Arena in London, 27th May 2010.

There is something haunting about this song, about the way it’s so true to life, true to its mixed bag of emotions. Wanting to see someone, yet not wanting to see him/her at the same time. Wanting to stay away, yet wanting to be close. Wanting to give up, yet wanting to have hope. Hoping to avoid, yet hoping to run into. Hoping to talk, but hoping not to have to be the one to start. 

I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore
I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore
I don’t know what it’s like to land and
not race through your door
I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore

I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore
I don’t think I really ever could
hold on to a hotel key
in your bedroom neighborhood
with me sleepwalking in Hollywood

I’m gonna steer clear
Burn up in your atmosphere
I’m gonna steer clear
‘Cause I’d die if I saw you
I’d die if I didn’t see you there
So I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore

I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore
I’d get lost on the Boulevard at night
without your voice to tell me
“I love you, take a right,”
The 10 and the 2 is the loneliest sight 

Burn up in your atmosphere
I’m gonna steer clear
‘Cause I’d die if I saw you
I’d die if I didn’t see you there
So I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore

Here’s the part he improvises: 

Maybe we can make a deal
There’ll be room enough for both of us here
Get a place on the West side
Over by the sea
Stay to the right of the 405 and
Clear away from me
Should I ever need to go
to your part of town
I’ll put a request and write in
Send it back around
There’s no way, no way we can be
in the same city
I know the car you drive
and there’s lots of them around
And it’s hard to live life
When I’m constantly looking up and down
to see if that’s you
there behind the wheel
and even when it’s not
I don’t know how to feel
I think I’m gonna stay, gonna stay in the grey
I think I’m gonna stay
It’s gonna be a hot one in New York City
You and I from LA 
You and I from LA
You and I from there knowing

Something’s missing (continues into new song)