Guitarist John Mayer talked to Teen guest editors about his music.

Q. When you were growing up what were your favorite albums?

A. "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, "Syncronicity" by the Police. I also listened to Van Halen, I remember "Jump" was huge. Also the "Footloose" soundtrack. You now if you ever want to get the ladies theirs a song called Almost Paradise.

Q. What inspired to you pick up the guitar was is some of these musicians or something else in life?

A. I've always had a strange pull toward guitar. But the defining moment was when Michael J. Fox played "Johnny Be Goode" in "Back to the Future." He was always such a dork and then there's this explosion of cool. I think after that I was definitely into playing guitar.

Q. It seems like, from listening to your music, that you are writing just for yourself. Do you think personality is your best tool as a songwriter?

A. Absolutely. Hopefully I'll always look at something a little different that the person next to me. I would hope that people hear a lot of personality in what's going on. I hope to find a place that's not over people's heads, but it still gets them in the heart.

Q. In your opinion what song that you've written do you look at and just say I can't believe I wrote that?

A. I think "Not Myself." I listen to that song and I'm just like, Good God, I wrote that?! I'm not over writing these songs. Having a major label release your record that's been produced and mixed by great people, I don't know, I guess it feels like seeing yourself in a magazine if you're a girl and just thinking, Man, I look hot!

Q. A lot of the music that we are putting into this article is stuff we've gotten off the Internet because we can't always find the albums at our record stores. How do you feel about music being distributed by the Internet?

A. In one way it's the most artificial way and in more ways than that it's the most pure way. Someone downloading one of my songs and listening to it and loving it is the most pure connection I will ever have with anyone my entire life. In terms of just no filler, just finding something and having a strong connection, there will never be a stronger connection than the Internet. I understand that you're not supposed to download radio hits -- someone might have to put their kids through college on that -- but when someone downloads a song and it's just them and me, I think that's beautiful, and rare. But in the same respect I don't think Napster will be the same synthesis for walking into a record store and buying an album.

Q. As we're talking to you now, you're on the road. What do you think the hardest part is about touring?

A. I think the hardest part is living a constant life through a life full of variables. Just trying to find a routine when there is no routine. That's the worst part.

Q. What do you love the most?

A. Playing, absolutely playing. I love being in different places, getting to the club, setting up and playing. Without playing it would just be aimless driving. Playing is definitely the centerpiece of being on the road.

Q. If you could play one concert with someone living who would it be? Dead?

A. It would have to be someone I could just sit in with and it would be magic for both sets. OK, I'll give you dead first: It would have to be Steve Ray Vaughn. Definitely. Living, I don't know. There aren't many bands around that, oh, you know what... Counting Crows. I think that's the band I would be thrilled to tour with.

Q. Speaking of today's band, who do you think, even if they're more mainstream, is doing the best job of staying true to the music?

A. Oh, I think U2 does it, I think Radiohead does it. Um, Pearl Jam does it, even if they've kind of left the mainstream. But I'm also really in to Ben Folds. I think he's amazing, and, like I said, Counting Crows. I also like some of the new guys coming out like David Mead. I think David Grey was the first sign that record labels are going to try out some singer/songwriters, which is great for me as a fan because I love them all.

Q. Do you think the singer/songwriters will ever be the mainstream again?

A. Absolutely. I don't think it will be as folky as the last time, but I definitely think we'll get our shot again. It's just a patience thing. When I first started out in Atlanta the song "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit was huge. That was definitely the golden years of Korn and Limp Bizkit, but I was just like, It's not time yet

Q. As of now do you think it's easier to work without all the commercial distractions?

A. Yeah, I think it will always be easier to work without the commercial stuff, but it's a compromise. Your ideas, as you work with other people, become taxated. One hundred percent of your idea, after going through the channels, becomes 60 percent your idea and 40 percent of someone else's. And maybe that 40 percent is good and maybe it's horrible. The trick is to be as good as you can up front so when it's done it's still pretty good.

Q. One last question, MTV's "Unplugged" or VH1s "Storytellers"?

A. Oh, that's a tough one, I think "Unplugged." Yeah, "Unplugged."