Last Train Home

Album: Sob Rock (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After a long dating history with the likes of Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, is John Mayer finally thinking of settling down? Here, he addresses a love interest to gauge her interest in a relationship. He's been hurt before, so Mayer is cautious, but he identifies the lady as perhaps the one he will spend the rest of his life with.

    So if you're comin' with me, let me know
    Maybe you're the last train
    Maybe you're the last train home


    Mayer is totally committed to their potential romance. If the lady is happy to put her all into it too, he invites her to come on board.
  • Mayer wrote the song himself and first teased it on his TikTok account in late March 2021. He released it as the fourth single from Sob Rock on June 4, 2021.
  • Sob Rock features a 1980s soft-rock vibe with this song sounding like it was recorded at the height of yacht rock. Mayer said he made the record to bring comfort from the COVID-19 lockdown. "I asked myself, 'What music makes me feel like everything's going to be OK?'" he said. "And it's the music I listened to growing up in the '80s. There's a security-blanket aspect about that sound that reminds me of a safer time."
  • Country music singer-songwriter Maren Morris joins Mayer on the track as guest vocalist.
  • Don Was fills his' slick production with synth keyboard stabs and guitar licks that reminded several reviewers of Toto. In fact, session musician Greg Phillinganes, who played with Toto between 2003 and 2008, played the keys, and Toto touring musician Lenny Castro is the percussionist.

    The other performers are:

    Guitar: John Mayer
    Bass: Sean Hurley
    Drums: Aaron Sterling
  • Cameron Duddy and Harper Smith directed the video, which features a leather-jacket-clad Mayer playing a bubblegum pink electric guitar. Maren Morris joins him at the end of the clip.
  • The song climbed to the top of Billboard's Adult Alternative Airplay chart. It was Mayer's seventh #1 on the tally and his first since "Who Says" in 2009.

Comments: 1

  • Niels from NetherlandsGreat track. I wish the whole album had this vibe, but unfortunately the rest of it is more mellow singer-songwriter type stuff… just my own preference of course.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."