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.
human
Jon McLaughlin Lyrics
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I can't seem to get you off my mind,
All these ups and downs,
They trip up our good intentions,
Nobody said this was easy right?
after all we're only human,
Always fighting what we're feeling,
After all we're only human,
Is there any other reason why we stay instead of leavin' after all
can we get back to the point of this conversation,
When we saw things through each others eyes,
Cause now all I see is ruin and devastation,
We all need some place we can hide inside and
after all we're only human,
Always fighting what we're feeling,
Hurt instead of healing,
After all we're only human,
Is there any other reason why we stay instead of leavin'
I'm smart enought to know,
That life goes by,
And it leaves a trail of broken bones behind,
If you feel I'm letting go,
Just give me time,
Ill come running to your side,
can you tell me how we got in this situation,
I can't seem to get you off my mind cause
(x3)
After all we're only human,
Always fighting what we're feeling,
Hurt instead of healing,
After all we're only human,
Is there any other reason why we stay instead of leavin' after all
any other reason
To stay instead of leavin'
After all, yeah
The song "Human" by Jon McLaughlin touches on the complexities and challenges of being human, particularly in the context of relationships. The lyrics reflect upon the struggle to understand how a relationship got to a difficult point, and the confusion and hurt that can result. McLaughlin acknowledges the imperfections and emotional struggles that come with being human, including vulnerability, fear, and pain. He also hints at the idea that sometimes people stay in difficult relationships simply because they are human and drawn to the familiar, even when it causes more pain than healing.
The chorus repeats the phrase "after all we're only human," emphasizing the theme of imperfection and vulnerability. The lyrics suggest that, despite the challenges and pain of relationships, we continue to strive for connection and understanding. The song is ultimately about the human experience of struggling with our emotions and the complexities of relationships, and the need for empathy and understanding in these situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you tell me how we got in this situation,
The singer is looking for an explanation of how they got into the current unpleasant state of their relationship.
I can't seem to get you off my mind,
The singer is preoccupied with thoughts of their significant other, who is likely the source of their current predicament.
All these ups and downs,
The relationship between the singer and their partner has been characterized by a lot of highs and lows.
They trip up our good intentions,
Despite their best efforts, things keep going wrong between the couple, hindering their ability to make progress in their relationship.
Nobody said this was easy right?
The singer acknowledges that relationships are difficult and that they didn't anticipate the challenges they would encounter.
After all we're only human,
The singer emphasizes the limitations of being human and the inherent fallibility that comes with it.
Always fighting what we're feeling,
The singer outlines the struggle of fighting against their own emotions and desires because they recognize that they may not be what's best for them in the long run.
Hurt instead of healing,
The singer points out that their actions are causing emotional pain instead of helping to heal whatever is wrong between them.
Is there any other reason why we stay instead of leavin' after all
The singer is questioning why they and their partner are choosing to stay together despite the difficulties they have faced.
Can we get back to the point of this conversation,
The singer wants to refocus their discussion with their partner to try and get back on track towards a resolution.
When we saw things through each others eyes,
The singer recalls a time when they and their partner were able to understand each other better and hopes to regain that perspective.
Cause now all I see is ruin and devastation,
The singer highlights the bleakness of their current outlook and the damage that has been done to their relationship.
We all need some place we can hide inside and
The singer recognizes that both they and their partner need a place of emotional refuge where they can seek solace from their emotional pain.
I'm smart enough to know,
The singer acknowledges their own intelligence and the wisdom they have acquired through their difficult experiences.
That life goes by,
The singer recognizes the fleeting nature of human existence and the fact that time waits for no one.
And it leaves a trail of broken bones behind,
The singer recognizes that life is often fraught with emotional pain and suffering, and that these struggles can leave us physically and emotionally damaged.
If you feel I'm letting go,
The singer recognizes that their partner may be afraid that they are losing interest in or commitment to their relationship.
Just give me time,
The singer reassures their partner that they need some time to work through their issues but will come back to them when they are ready.
Ill come running to your side,
The singer promises to return to their partner's side and work towards finding a solution to their problems together.
Is there any other reason why we stay instead of leavin' after all
The singer reiterates the question they posed earlier, wondering why they and their partner choose to remain together despite their struggles.
After all, yeah
The singer reflects on the difficulty of making a romantic relationship work and calls attention to the fact that despite its challenges, it's still worthwhile to keep trying.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JONATHAN MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN, KEVIN GRIFFITHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind