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.
Promising Promises
Jon McLaughlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it morning already?
I hate the sun for setting on yesterday
When I wrote my feelings
On the walls and ceilings
Like drugs I'm dealing and you just walked away
The trees all sway and swing
I was giving you everything I had to give
Wasn't it enough?
All those promising promises were on your lips
But you wouldn't give them up
So let me just say for the record
That you can spare me the lecture
'Cause ever since I met you I've been lonely
Your smile, it don't hide you
I see the teeth that you lie through
Do I need to remind you that I'm only
Hanging by a string
I close my eyes and spin singing
I was giving you everything I had to give
Wasn't it enough?
All those promising promises were on your lips
But you wouldn't give them up
And I was giving you everything I had to give
Wasn't it enough?
And all those promising promises were on your lips
But you wouldn't give them up
And I was giving you everything I had to give
Wasn't it enough?
All those promising promises were on your lips
But you wouldn't give them up
In Jon McLaughlin's song Promising Promises, the lyrics express the feeling of disappointment towards unfulfilled promises from a lover. The song starts with the singer waking up feeling drained and desolate after writing down his emotions "on the walls and ceilings," suggesting that he has been struggling with these feelings for a while. He then reminisces about the "promising promises" that he was given by his lover, but which were never fulfilled. He shows frustration towards the smile of his lover, which he sees through, and the false hope that he was given.
The chorus of the song reveals the singer's disappointment at giving everything to his lover, but still not receiving enough. The repetition of the line "Wasn't it enough?" emphasizes this point, as the singer expected his lover to fulfill their promises. He then concludes by saying that he is hanging by a string, signifying that his hope is dwindling, but still singing nonetheless.
Overall, the lyrics of the song convey a sense of betrayal and frustration that stems from promises that were made, but not kept. The singer is left feeling lonely and disappointed, questioning whether he invested too much into the relationship, only to be let down.
Line by Line Meaning
I wake up cold and sweaty
I wake up feeling uncomfortable and uneasy
Is it morning already?
I can't believe it's already morning
I hate the sun for setting on yesterday
I'm upset that yesterday had to come to an end
When I wrote my feelings, On the walls and ceilings, Like drugs I'm dealing and you just walked away
I expressed my deepest feelings by writing them on the walls and ceilings, but you didn't stay to see the pain it caused me
The trees all sway and swing, The wind and I are both singing
The trees and wind are moving in perfect harmony, creating a beautiful song
I was giving you everything I had to give, Wasn't it enough?
I gave you my all, but it wasn't good enough for you
All those promising promises were on your lips, But you wouldn't give them up
You made many promises, but you never followed through with them
So let me just say for the record, That you can spare me the lecture, 'Cause ever since I met you I've been lonely
I don't need to hear your explanation or excuses, since meeting you I've felt lonely
Your smile, it don't hide you, I see the teeth that you lie through, Do I need to remind you that I'm only
Your smile doesn't fool me, I know you're not telling the truth. Do I need to remind you that I'm not asking for too much?
Hanging by a string, I close my eyes and spin singing
I feel like my life is hanging by a thread, but I keep going and remain optimistic
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MissHalloween85
Jon makes me wish I had taken my piano lessons back when I was a kid seriously... He's so amazing! :) <3
@joellelabastide3616
I love this so much. I love every song on every album basically but the live performances are another level.
@mliwulanga
I love Jon. I love this song. I can relate to it, every time I hear it. he's amazing. I've been a fan for years. he just gets better.
@sarahspohn3322
Every time I watch this, I want to make it my life mission to show every person I come across this guy.
@stevieausten1456
Hope you shared him everywhere? I've just found him and gonna start the same :D Wonder if you're still listening to him 6 years later??
@sarahspohn3322
@@stevieausten1456 STILL AM.
@foldinarms
he's such an underrated artist. i wish he'll get more recognition for his talent :)
@htownqueen
he's more behind the scenes. alot of artists has bought his songs. he is underrated. and damn right he's amazing.
@terriwilkins3430
This guy is so good.. I love everything he does. His voice, style and piano talent.. Wow!
@Kassayy56
Jon is in my opinion the BEST artist out there!!! I love you Jon!!!