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.
Without You Now
Jon McLaughlin Lyrics
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And the front door open when I sleep, I sleep
And I wake up with the night before
Lingering between my teeth, my teeth
And I answer to no one
And you're gone and I am free
And I know I can't live without you now
So maybe I'll say I'm sorry
Save me from the heartache
I know I can't live without you now, now, now
I buy the kinds of clothes now
That you always said you did not like
And I've been hanging with this other girl
Let's just say she's not your type
Oh it's a lie that I'm living out
And the truth's just sinking in
And I know I can't live without you now
And I'm just looking for what we already found
So maybe I'll say I'm sorry
Save me from the heartache
I know I can't live without you now
So think it over
We could be lovers again
And I know I can't live without you now
'Cause I'm just looking for what we already found
So maybe I'll say I'm sorry
Save me from all these heartaches
I know I can't live without you
I can't live without you
I said now
I know I can't live without you now
I'm just looking for what we already found
So maybe I'll say I'm sorry
Save me from the heartache
I know I can't live without you now, now, now
Ooh
The overall theme of Jon McLaughlin's song Without You Now is heartbreak and the realization of the singer's own mistakes in a past relationship. The first part of the song talks about how the singer is enjoying his newfound freedom and independence after the breakup. He no longer has to answer to anyone and can leave his lights on and front door open while he sleeps. However, the night before lingers in his mind and he wakes up with the remnants of the relationship still haunting him.
The second half of the song shows the singer coming to a realization. He realizes that he needs the person he was with; he can't live without them. He's been living a lie by buying clothes his ex-partner didn't like and hanging out with someone who's not their type. He's sorry, and he wants to make it right. He wants to go back to the way things were, and he hopes that they can be lovers again. The lyrics show a good representation of the emotional turmoil and the complexities of trying to fix a relationship that's already broken.
Line by Line Meaning
These days I leave the lights on
I am constantly seeking comfort and avoiding darkness. I can't handle being alone with my thoughts and fears.
And the front door open when I sleep, I sleep
I am reckless and careless with my safety, not because I'm brave, but because I'm trying to ignore the emptiness inside me.
And I wake up with the night before
My mistakes and regrets haunt me every day, and I can't escape their presence.
Lingering between my teeth, my teeth
I am constantly chewing over my past, trying to figure out how to make things right or go back in time.
And I answer to no one
I have no one to answer to and no one to care for me. I'm completely alone and lost.
And you're gone and I am free
I thought freedom was what I wanted, but now that I have it, I realize it's not enough. I miss you, and I wish I could go back to the time when we were together.
And I know I can't live without you now
I finally admit to myself that I need you, and I can't stand the thought of living life without you by my side.
I'm just looking for what we already found
I know now that what we had was special, and I wish I could go back and relive those moments again, without taking them for granted.
So maybe I'll say I'm sorry
I know I hurt you, and I regret it. I want to apologize and make things right again.
Save me from the heartache
I don't want to go through life alone and heartbroken. I need you to save me from this pain.
I buy the kinds of clothes now
I'm trying to change myself and be someone you might like again, even though it's not genuine and I'm just pretending.
That you always said you did not like
I remember everything you ever told me, and I hate myself for not listening and taking your feelings into account.
And I've been hanging with this other girl
I'm trying to distract myself from the pain and loneliness, but it's not working. No one can replace you.
Let's just say she's not your type
I'm not even attracted to her, and I'm just using her as a way to fill the void in my heart.
Oh it's a lie that I'm living out
I'm living a lie, pretending to be someone I'm not and trying to forget the past instead of facing it head-on.
And the truth's just sinking in
I'm finally realizing that my actions have consequences, and I can't keep running away from them forever.
So think it over
Please, take some time to consider the possibility of us being together again. I know I messed up, but I'm willing to try and make it right.
We could be lovers again
I know it's a long shot, but I still believe that we could have something special if we just give it another chance.
I can't live without you
This is the truth that I've been avoiding all this time. I can't live without you, and I need you in my life to be happy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind