John Mayer vs. ERNEST | Head 2 Head

In the 18^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), John Mayer and ERNEST contend for the best rendition of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room.”  

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song, comparing their respective performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 18^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), John Mayer and ERNEST contend for the best rendition of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. John Mayer, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”

Continuum // Aware // 2006

“We’re going down, and you can see it too / Yeah, we’re going down / And you know that we’re doomed / My dear, we’re slow dancing in a burning room.” In 2006, John Mayer released one of the best albums of his career, the multiplatinum Continuum.  Continuum earned the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 49^th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Among the sensational songs from the LP is the eighth track, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”.  Mayer composed it, while he produced alongside Steve Jordan. Notably, the bluesy “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,” which did NOT chart on the Billboard Hot 100, was certified platinum in 2018.  Awesome!

What makes “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” marvelous? JOHN MAYER, first and foremost – DUH! Mayer’s musicianship is the biggest selling point.  Vocally, he sings coolly yet potently throughout.  His voice is distinct, and his tone is radiant.  Mayer isn’t a powerhouse vocalist, and he doesn’t need to be.  He sings the lyrics, thoughtfully penned, soundly and superbly. “It’s not a silly little moment / It’s not the storm before the calm,” Mayer sings in the first verse, continuing, “This is the deep and dying breath of / This love that we’ve been working on.” Love is the keyword, fueling the fire of the record. The chorus, of course, is the section to beat. Beyond fine vocals, memorable lyrics, and tuneful melodies, the instrumental is beastly.  Specifically, it’s the guitar playing by Mayer.  One of the best in the game, he impresses with the different sounds he musters up out of the instrument (various effects pedals), as well as his technical skill.  His vocals and songwriting are good, but arguably, it is his guitar playing, including soloing, that makes “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” as epic as it is.

2. ERNEST, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE // Big Loud // 2024

Country singer/songwriter ERNEST (Ernest Keith Smith) dropped a 26-track, near-90-minute album in 2024: NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.  In the 19^th track from his hometown-named LP, he opted to cover the John Mayer gem, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,” from his 2006, Grammy-winning LP,  Continuum. ERNEST superbly countrifies “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” on NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

The signature ‘pedal steel’ sounds even brighter on the ERNEST rendition, embracing a Nashville vibe to the core. The bluesy vibes of the original are retained – alive and well! ERNEST sings beautifully, capturing the honest, poetic, and thoughtful songwriting of the original. “I’ll make the most of all the sadness / You’ll be a bitch because you can,” he sings in the colorful second verse, “You try to hit me just to hurt me / So you leave me feelin’ dirty / ‘Cause you can’t understand.” Ooh-wee, ERNEST! You buy what he is authentically and expressively selling. Furthermore, he doesn’t overdo or try too hard. This feels like a natural rendition simply tailored more to his preferred musical style.  Besides strong lead vocals, the vocal harmonies shine during the chorus, the centerpiece.  A sweet guitar solo adds to the goodness of this country cover that has the potential for wide-reaching appeal. Ultimately, when it comes to his cover of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”, ERNEST DID THAT 👏 😮‍💨!

Appears in 🔻:

• ERNEST, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room: Covers No. 18 (2024)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who did “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” the best? Was it the original by the skilled, Grammy-winning musician, John Mayer, or a rousing, superbly countrified cover by country musician, ERNEST? ERNEST did a fine job of tailoring “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” to his strengths while also preserving the sanctity of the original.  ERNEST’s vocals are grittier and more powerful than the original.  That said, John Mayer ‘brought it’ on “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” – the memorable songwriting and the awe-inspired guitar playing.  Furthermore, his vocal performance is strong, too. So, when it all comes down to it, Mayer gets the edge.

John Mayer vs. ERNEST: Head 2 Head No. 18 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Aware, Big Loud; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]