McLaughlin was born on September 27, 1982 in Anderson, Indiana. Playing piano since early childhood, he was always finding ways to get out of piano lessons. While attending Highland High School, he shattered both wrists in an accident that interrupted his musical education. Nevertheless, McLaughlin attended Anderson University to study music. He released an independent album entitled Up until Now in 2003. This quickly led to McLaughlin becoming the first artist to sign on with the school's record label, Orangehaus Records. His self-titled album was released in 2004 to local and regional praise. He began touring, travelling throughout the U.S. Midwest, and working up a grassroots following.
He released Indiana in 2007, preceded earlier in the same year by the EP Industry, also known as Jon McL. In 2008, McLaughlin returned with lead single "Beating My Heart" from his album OK Now released in the same year. He gained fame with his cameo appearance in Disney's Enchanted. Released in early September 2011 in the U.S. Forever If Ever was McLaughlin's third major-label release. 2012's lead single "Summer Is Over" featured fellow singer-songwriter-pianist Sara Bareilles from Promising Promises which was a slightly reworked version of his 2011 album. There were no other singles released from the album. Jon released Holding My Breath on his website and iTunes on September 24, 2013. The mp3 version of the album is also available at Amazon.
Beating My Heart
Jon McLaughlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There are times every now and then
I forget why I'm breathing out
And why I'm breathing in
And I get so sick with the little things
I cant relax when it's happening
To know what it means
It means
[Chorus]
And then I open my eyes
And I know you're beating my heart
Beating my heart
Look at the sky
I know you're beating my heart
Beating my heart
I go extra miles to show
That you are the one thing that I've got
Look at the sky
I know you're beating my heart
Beating my heart
(verse 2)
There's a sun coming over the horizon
I wanna know where its coming from
But doesn't everyone
Its like who am I
And why am I here
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
This whole world will take me down
Without you standing by my side
My side
You're holding onto me
You're making everything inside
Come alive
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Jon McLaughlin's song "Beating My Heart" talk about the intricacy of being alive, and the little things that make it difficult. The opening lines of the verse say, "There are times every now and then I forget why I'm breathing out and why I'm breathing in." This feeling of confusion is pervasive, and it is compounded by the stress of everyday life, which makes it hard to relax.
The song is an ode to the power of love, which gives the singer a reason to keep going. Even when he feels lost and overwhelmed, he remembers that love is like a heartbeat that never fails. In the chorus, he sings, "And then I open my eyes, and I know you're beating my heart." This line is a metaphor for the power of love to sustain us, even in the darkest of times. The phrase "beating my heart" is a reference to the physical process of keeping the heart beating, which is the ultimate symbol of life.
The bridge is a reminder that the world can be difficult and challenging. However, with love by your side, you can do anything. The phrase, "This whole world will take me down without you standing by my side," reminds us of the importance of having someone to depend on.
Overall, Jon McLaughlin's "Beating My Heart" is a beautiful song about the power of love and its ability to sustain us through life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
There are times every now and then
Occasionally, there are moments when I lose sight of my purpose
I forget why I'm breathing out
I become unclear about the reason for exhaling
And why I'm breathing in
I become uncertain about the reason for inhaling
And I get so sick with the little things
Small issues trouble and upset me
I cant relax when it's happening
It becomes difficult for me to calm down at that time
To know what it means
To determine its significance
And then I open my eyes
I begin to see clearly
And I know you're beating my heart
I realize that you are the reason for my existence
Beating my heart
You constantly make my heart beat with purpose
Look at the sky
Observing the heavens above
I know you're beating my heart
Reminding myself that you provide meaning to my life
I go extra miles to show
I make an extra effort to demonstrate
That you are the one thing that I've got
You are the only thing of value that I possess
There's a sun coming over the horizon
The sun is beginning to rise
I wanna know where its coming from
I am curious about its origin
But doesn't everyone
This is a common and universally felt curiosity
Its like who am I
It feels like a question of self-identity
And why am I here
And what is my purpose in being here
This whole world will take me down
The world has the power to cause my downfall
Without you standing by my side
Unless you are there to support me
You're holding onto me
You are providing me with security and assurance
You're making everything inside
You are causing everything within me to come alive with purpose
Come alive
To awaken with meaning and significance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MissYeya
This song gives me such a calming vibe, it sometimes make me cry knowing that God is ALWAYS looking out for me, even when I think Im pretty much alone in this world... beautiful song, wish it wasnt so underrated!
Ismael Garcia
Yes he is
Thomas Romano
Is there a more underrated song? Wow this takes me right back to College!
pauloperez21
His voice is so good and his songs are full of meaning and deep.
Cledyston Dos Santos
It is beyond me why his label won't invest more on marketing him!! He is so talented and such a good songwriter!! His voice is beautiful and he looks amazing!!! He should be getting all the money the Nicki Minajs and Katy Perries are!! Life's really unfair!!!
Karishma Sinha
Fact that this terribly talented artist, not to mention super fine man is so underrated is what keeps him grounded and thus his work so authentic in my opinion. <3 Never change Jon! <3
Aulita
that one song where every time you listen to it, even years after, you fall in love every single time !
Mark Rowbottom
I love Jon's music. He grew up in my hometown and I had the pleasure of getting to see him perform on Sunday mornings playing his keyboard in service. I now live overseas and just the other day heard this song playing over the radio in the grocery stores. Made me think of Indiana and East Side Church of God. Jon, you've done well. Love your music!!! You have always been an amazing musician.
SY H
This song is absolutely beautiful! I say it's about time this guy gets noticed a lot more. I say we post our favorite music videos of his on Facebook to make them viral.
David J
This is such a great song!