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.
People
Jon McLaughlin Lyrics
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People writing letters, people get ignored
People saving money and people saving face
People going hungry, people waste away
Needing one reason to live in a world
Where nothing is worthwhile 'til it's gone
You spend your life moving on
Well, people wearing nothing, people wearing out
And people scared of something, and people live in doubt
Now people going places and people running home
And those who know what grace is, people disowned
Needing one reason to live in a world
Where nothing is worthwhile 'til it's gone
You spend your life moving on
Give me one reason to care anymore
'Cause there has got to be a better way
A road that leads to better days
In the back of minds and corners of our eyes
It'll lie the reason we're alive
And I will love you back
I'll love you back
One reason to live in a world
Where nothing is worthwhile 'til it's gone
You spend your life moving on
Give me one reason to care anymore
'Cause there has got to be a better way
A road that leads to better days
The lyrics to Jon McLaughlin's song People paint a vivid picture of contrasting human experiences. The song captures the complexity of human existence by highlighting the different emotions, circumstances, and attitudes of people. The opening line, "People doing better, people needing more" contrasts the abundance and lack that exist in society. It acknowledges that while some people are thriving, others are struggling to make ends meet. The line "people writing letters, people get ignored" captures the common phenomenon where people often communicate their needs or concerns, but they are not listened to or given the attention they deserve.
The song's chorus centers on the theme of finding a reason to live in a world where nothing seems worthwhile. The lines "Needing one reason to live in a world where nothing is worthwhile 'til it's gone" and "Give me one reason to care anymore, 'cause there has got to be a better way" express the despair and hopelessness that can sometimes arise when life's challenges become overwhelming. The song suggests that there must be a better way to live, and that there must be a reason to care.
The song's final verse offers a glimmer of hope. It suggests that the reason we are alive lies in the back of our minds and corners of our eyes. The line "And I will love you back, I'll love you back" suggests that love is the key to breaking through the darkness and finding a reason to live.
Line by Line Meaning
People doing better, people needing more
There are people in the world who are improving and achieving more, while there are also people who are struggling and need help
People writing letters, people get ignored
Some people take the time to express themselves through writing, but their voices often go unheard
People saving money and people saving face
Some people prioritize saving money for their future, while others are concerned with keeping up appearances and maintaining their image
People going hungry, people waste away
While some are able to save and have plenty to eat, others struggle with hunger and poverty and waste away due to lack of resources
Needing one reason to live in a world
Where nothing is worthwhile 'til it's gone
You spend your life moving on
People need a reason to keep going in a world where the value of things is often only realized after they're gone
Well, people wearing nothing, people wearing out
And people scared of something, and people live in doubt
Now people going places and people running home
And those who know what grace is, people disowned
There are people who have nothing, and people who are worn out from life's struggles. Some people live in fear and doubt, while others are on the move, going places or running home. Those who know grace or have faith are often disowned or outcast by others.
Give me one reason to care anymore
'Cause there has got to be a better way
A road that leads to better days
The singer is asking for one reason to care about the world and its problems, and believes there must be a better path forward that leads to better days
In the back of minds and corners of our eyes
It'll lie the reason we're alive
And I will love you back
I'll love you back
The reason we are alive may be hidden or not immediately apparent, but it is there in the back of our minds and corners of our eyes. The singer will love the person back who is able to help him see that reason.
One reason to live in a world
Where nothing is worthwhile 'til it's gone
You spend your life moving on
Having one reason to keep going in a world where things aren't always appreciated until they're gone is important
Give me one reason to care anymore
'Cause there has got to be a better way
A road that leads to better days
The singer is again asking for a reason to care and believes there must be a path that leads to better days, seeking hope for the future
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind