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Everything you need to know about ‘Tom and Jerry’, John Mayer's long-awaited first solo single on Sob Rock Records and Mercury Records, released in October 2026.
- Song Tom and Jerry
- Lyrics“I'm never gonna catch you
This is never gonna end
Might as well be my lover
If you don't wanna be my friend
You're my badge
Baby, I'm your scar... - Artist(s) John Mayer
- Released October 23, 2026
- Label Sob Rock Records / Mercury Records
- Songwriter(s) John Mayer, Blake Slatkin
- Producer(s) Blake Slatkin, John Mayer
The Background
Arriving in October 2026, ‘Tom and Jerry’ serves as John Mayer's first solo release since parting ways with Sony Music in 2022. It's an infectious, undulating offering that playfully draws inspiration from the famous animated enemies, Tom and Jerry.
Co-written and co-produced with Blake Slatkin, ‘Tom and Jerry’ marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Mayer fans, with the legendary artist seemingly gearing up for his first solo studio album since 2021's Sob Rock. ‘Tom and Jerry’ is released on Mayer's newly formed Sob Rock Records in partnership with Mercury.
The song was recorded at Chaplin Studios, which Mayer famously bought with film-maker McG in January 2026 for an estimated $44 million. The historic studio was originally built by Charlie Chaplin, with Mayer and McG preserving the revered site.
The new single follows the release of a series of high-profile country collaborations with the likes of Lainey Wilson and Zach Bryan and a string of momentous performances as the co-frontman for Dead & Company. After playing Sphere Las Vegas with the band in 2024 and 2025, Mayer returns in 2027 as a solo headliner.
The Sound
Throughout ‘Tom and Jerry’, Mayer's hushed, intimate vocals are cushioned by a warm, guitar-driven instrumental. The sinuous melody combines with the soft-rock-inspired composition, bringing to mind the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Eagles’ Don Henley.
It showcases Mayer's ear for a killer hook, with the production leaning into the hazy, dreamlike ambience that the ‘Slow Dancing in a Burning Room’ hitmaker often has a penchant for.
The Meaning
The idea behind ‘Tom and Jerry’ stems from the much-loved children's cartoon, Tom and Jerry, which revolves around a hungry cat and a mouse that is constantly trying to evade its clutches. However, over the course of the show, they build an endearing, complicated friendship, and often have to protect one another.
This dynamic captures the spirit of the love-story in Mayer's ‘Tom and Jerry’, with the guitar virtuoso painting a vivid portrait of two will-they-won't-they lovers who undoubtedly have strong feelings for one another, but have never managed to make it work.
He hints that the person he is singing to is now with another man, but that doesn't stop our narrator from trying to convince her to leave him and give their love a shot.
He uses the metaphor of Tom never being able to catch Jerry, as well as employing imagery of one partner “throwin’ daggers at the camera” and “trying to hit me from afar”.
As a result, it's hard to know if he sees himself as Tom or as Jerry - but really, it seems this is the whole point, as Mayer is conveying how confusing their on-and-off relationship is.
Despite there being an underlying sense of frustration that they've never manage to quite get their timing right, our protagonist makes it clear throughout that he would run away with her at the drop of a hat (“Now if you ever come through / Which I doubt you'll do / I'll run away with you”). He confesses that he secret loves their game of “hide and seek”, and suspects she does as well.
As the song approaches its dramatic climax, Mayer suggests that, even if they don't manage to make it work during this life-time, their bond is so strong that he believes they'll get another chance “on the other side”, i.e. in Heaven or in the afterlife.
For the full lyrics to John Mayer's ‘Tom and Jerry’, see below:
“I'm never gonna catch you
This is never gonna end
Might as well be my lover
If you don't wanna be my friend
You're my badge
Baby, I'm your scar
Throwin' daggers at the camera
Trying to hit me from afar
-
Now if you ever come through
Which I doubt you'll do
I'll run away with you
-
You only want me when you got someone
You only want me when it's wrong
Come out and just tell me
What you've been thinkin' all along
We could've talked all night
Instead of wastin' time
I could've solved your problems
You could've helped me with mine
-
Now if you ever come through
Which I doubt you'll do
I'll run away with you
-
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
-
Admit that if you met me
Tonight for the first time
You'd never forget me
We'd be livin' on the same dime
It's not too late
It's easy if you try
Whatever his name is
Just tell him goodbye
-
And if you never come through
Well, then you showed me why you should never make a good girl cry
-
Oh, you and me
Oh, how we love a little hide and seek
Oh, how we love it, baby, you and me
Oh, how we love our little hide and seek
Oh, how we love it, baby, you and me
Run for a kiss and turn the other cheek
How, how you doin', honey? You and me
Oh, how we love it when our will gets weak
-
If we never get it right
Meet you on the other side
If we never get it right
Meet you on the other side
If we never get it right
Meet you on the other side
Meet you on the other side
Meet you on the other side
Meet you on the other side
Meet you on the other side
Meet you on the other side
Meet you on the other side
Meet you on the other side
Meet you on the other side”
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