"Mike Dawes endorses learning John Mayer's famous guitar piece, as it's delicious and attainable for numerous players, making it essential for most musicians' skill sets."
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In 2017, Mike Dawes' acoustic guitar rendition of John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" went viral on our website, captivating guitar enthusiasts worldwide. The cover, which Dawes arranged himself, showcases the song's timeless appeal and its potential as a challenging yet achievable piece for guitar players.
Dawes first heard the song organically on the radio and was immediately drawn to its potential as a guitar arrangement. He was not very familiar with Mayer's music, having grown up listening to Iron Maiden. However, the song's tasty guitar playing piqued his interest, and he set out to create his own unique interpretation.
Dawes was looking for a ballad cover for his set that would tick certain boxes, and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" fit the bill. The arrangement was made before the song became a guitar meme, and Dawes' version soon gained traction, earning him recognition in the guitar community.
Despite having dissected the song for his cover, Dawes still listens to "Slow Dancing in the Burning Room" and considers it a masterclass in songwriting. If given the chance, Dawes would thank Mayer for the "incredible song."
There is no publicly available information that Dawes has ever personally met Mayer, the original creator of the song. However, Dawes almost had a meeting with Mayer at some point, and his guitar techs and people in his circle may have shared the video with him.
Mike Dawes believes "Slow Dancing in the Burning Room" should be in every guitar player's repertoire. Its tasty and achievable guitar playing makes it an ideal piece for guitar enthusiasts of all levels to learn and master.
In a separate interview, Dawes talks about working with Tommy Emmanuel, another renowned guitarist who has inspired him throughout his career. Dawes' cover of "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" is a testament to his talent and passion for music, and it continues to resonate with guitar players around the world.
