“It’s a little bit of a cheat”: John Mayer’s “critical take” on why country songs are always talking about drinking

John Mayer criticizes the country music genre for relying too heavily on themes of alcohol in its lyrics. In a conversation with country singer Lainey Wilson, Mayer expresses his view that the constant invocation of drinking in country music can sometimes feel like a shortcut to evoke excitement. He suggests that the genre’s focus on alcohol may be a way to make listeners associate the music with the enjoyment of drinking