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.
You Never Know
Jon McLaughlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Till I imitate the movies stars, just speak up with your friends
Now I'm not one for show
Yeah I never make a scene
But suddenly I'm nothing like the way I am normally
'Cause I know I could love you the most
If I were the one you chose
There is not a thing I wouldn't do
If I lived my life for you
We could have everything because I know you
Never know what you have till it's gone
No you never know what you have
Yeah we probably have the kind of love that makes other couples blush
So we could make up words that make no sense
But oh they mean so much
I know you're the kind of girl who could have any guy
So if I have to, I don't have a problem waiting here in line
'Cause I know I could love you the most
If I were the one you chose
You wouldn't ever have to walk alone, yeah
And there is not a thing I wouldn't do
If I lived my life for you
Yeah we could have everything because I know you
Never know what you have till it's gone
No you never know what you have
You never know what you have till it's gone
No you never know what you have
Yeah I know I could love you the most
If I were the one you chose
You wouldn't ever have to sleep alone
Yeah, there is not a thing I wouldn't do
If I lived my life for you
Yeah we could have everything because I know you
Never know what you have till it's gone
No you never know what you have
You never know what you have till it's gone
No you never know what you have
The lyrics of Jon McLaughlin's song "You Never Know" express the pain and frustration of not being chosen by someone you deeply love. The singer clearly states that he has feelings for the person he is addressing in the song and is willing to do everything in his power to make them happy. He talks about how he is normally not the kind of person to put on a show or try to impress someone, but with this particular person, he finds himself doing just that. He knows that he could be the best lover and companion for them, but he is not the one chosen, and that hurts him deeply.
The singer does not shy away from showing vulnerability and his intense affection towards the other person. He talks about their relationship and how they have the kind of love that makes other couples envious. He is willing to wait in line if that's what it takes to be with this person. But he also knows that love is a two-way street, and if he were the one chosen, he could make all of their dreams come true.
The chorus of the song drives home the central message that you never know what you have until it's gone. It's a painful realization that comes when something we took for granted suddenly disappears, leaving us with regret and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll meet you instantly, do everything I can
Till I imitate the movies stars, just speak up with your friends
I will do my best to impress you by emulating famous movie stars and being socially confident when I meet your friends.
Now I'm not one for show
Yeah I never make a scene
But suddenly I'm nothing like the way I am normally
I am not usually an attention seeker, but when I'm with you, I'm willing to step out of my comfort zone and be more outgoing.
'Cause I know I could love you the most
If I were the one you chose
You wouldn't ever have to walk alone, yeah
There is not a thing I wouldn't do
If I lived my life for you
We could have everything because I know you
Never know what you have till it's gone
No you never know what you have
I believe I could love you more than anyone else and be there for you always. I am willing to do whatever it takes to make you happy and have a fulfilling life together. It's important to appreciate what we have now because we never know when it might be gone.
Yeah we probably have the kind of love that makes other couples blush
So we could make up words that make no sense
But oh they mean so much
I know you're the kind of girl who could have any guy
So if I have to, I don't have a problem waiting here in line
Our love is so profound and special that it would make other couples envious. We have our own inside jokes and meaningless words that have significant value to us. I understand that you are attractive and have many suitors, but I am willing to wait for you because you are worth it.
Yeah, there is not a thing I wouldn't do
If I lived my life for you
Yeah we could have everything because I know you
Never know what you have till it's gone
No you never know what you have
I am willing to make sacrifices and live my life around you because that's how much I value and cherish you. We could have a beautiful life together if we appreciate and don't take for granted what we have right now.
You never know what you have till it's gone
No you never know what you have
It's important to acknowledge and appreciate what we have now because we won't realize how much we had until it's lost.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind