John Mayer
The acclaimed American singer-songwriter’s first solo single in five years blends laid-back soft rock with a bittersweet tale of desire, doubt, and escape
John Mayer is back with new solo music. Released today, October 23, 2026, “Tom and Jerry” marks his first solo single since 2021’s Sob Rock era, bringing him back to the kind of intimate, emotionally aware songwriting that has long distinguished his work.
Laid-back and romantic, with a bittersweet undercurrent, the new track explores the familiar tension between wanting someone and knowing that the relationship may never quite work.
The single premiered exclusively on SiriusXM’s Life with John Mayer on Thursday, October 22, giving listeners a full day to hear it before today’s global release.
The title “Tom and Jerry” brings to mind the classic cartoon rivalry between a cat and a mouse, an endless pursuit in which neither side ever seems ready to call it quits. The narrator sounds caught between resignation and hope—there is an awareness that the other person may never make the move he wants, yet the possibility of being together remains powerful enough to imagine leaving everything behind. The chase itself becomes part of the attraction, even when it comes at an emotional cost. Yet beneath that frustration is an unmistakably romantic impulse: the hope that, given the right moment, the two might finally choose each other.
“Tom and Jerry” embraces a relaxed soft-rock sound, letting Mayer’s vocals and the interplay between the instruments carry its romantic mood without overwhelming the songwriting.
The song also recalls the appeal of Sob Rock, Mayer’s 2021 album, which explored polished pop-rock textures and drew on the melodic language of earlier decades, and “Tom and Jerry” feels at home in that musical world while placing the emphasis firmly on the emotional push and pull of its story.
Despite its evocative title, “Tom and Jerry” began with a simple, practical decision—Mayer revealed that the name was what he used when saving the first voice memo containing the song idea.
That initial recording became the starting point for a collaborative process that brought the track to life. Reflecting on the song’s development, Mayer highlighted the dedication of the musicians and creative team involved in shaping its final sound.
Mayer co-wrote and co-produced the single with Blake Slatkin, whose production work helps frame the song’s blend of melodic accessibility and emotional ambiguity.
The recording features an accomplished group of musicians; Mayer performs the vocals and plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards and synthesizers, alongside programming, Pino Palladino contributes bass, Aaron Sterling plays drums and percussion, Lenny Castro adds percussion, and Larry Goldings performs organ.
The track was recorded at Chaplin Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. Serban Ghenea handled the mix at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound responsible for mastering.
The release represents an important moment in Mayer’s recorded career; his previous solo single, “Wild Blue,” appeared in 2021 as part of Sob Rock. Since then, he has continued performing and exploring different musical settings, including his work with Dead & Company.
The timing also coincides with the launch of Sob Rock Records, Mayer’s new label imprint in partnership with Mercury Records.
Mayer first announced the single on his 49th birthday, October 16, with a teaser that hinted at its themes. John Mayer has yet to announce the title or release date of his upcoming album.
Listen to the single now on Spotify
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