John Mayer stopped by The Ellen DeGeneres Show today to talk about shrinking away from the press after his handful of controversial interviews two years ago, Us Weekly reports. 

"It was a very strange time and it sort of rocketed me into adulthood," Mayer said during the show. "It was a violent crash into being an adult." 

The singer-songwriter was berated widely in 2010 after giving revealing interviews to Playboy and Rolling Stone. In them, he talked very candidly about his relationships with Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston and, at one point, used the n-word. 

"For a couple of years, it was just figuring it all out, and I'm glad I actually stayed out of the spotlight," Mayer told DeGeneres. "Because I think back then I would've said, 'Give me two weeks or let me get out and do Ellen and let me explain myself.' It was like, 'No, idiot. Go away and be 33 and 34 instead of 28 for the fourth year."

Mayer said that he "had to go home for a minute" to help him get things back on track. "The plan that originally gets you out of high school and your hometown, in front of people... that plan was over. I had done it. I just sort of lost my head for a little while." 

Mayer also discussed the recent cancellation of a 21-city tour to promote his new record after learning that a granuloma on his vocal cords had returned, even after doctors thought it had healed. He noted that it wasn't too much of a health concern and that it has only silenced his singing temporarily. 

Describing the procedure, Mayer said, "They cut this thing out of your throat and then they inject your vocal cords with Botox, which freezes your vocal cords so that this thing can heal without smacking up against the other side." He added, "I just need more Botox next time."

Mayer's fifth solo album, Born and Raised, is set for release on May 22nd. In a January interview with Rolling Stone, Mayer said of the record, "I think it's gonna be more oganic, more natural lyrics and chords and artful simplicity." The album will also feature backing harmonies from David Crosby and Graham Nash.

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