Written after discovering a letter Leonard Cohen sent to ‘So Long, Marianne’ Muse Before Her Death. The song speaks to a life long friendship and stepping into the unknown together.

Lyrics:
So it looks like we both reached that age
when our bodies start their ultimate decline
But know that as your light begins to fade
I'll only be a step or two behind

There's no need to waste our tired breath
on tender words you've heard a million times
as you fade away I won't be upset
I'll see you soon, this isn't goodbye

I was only yours for a lifetime
Just a moment passing by
So on the other side
reach out your hand you'll find
soon I will be holding it in mine
cause I won't be far behind

This world is big I've seen all I need to see
It'll feel a little smaller when you're gone
As you leave turn around and look for me
and we'll dive into the wide and great beyond

I was only yours for a lifetime
Just a moment passing by
So on the other side
reach out your hand you'll find
soon I will be holding it in mine
cause I won't be far behind
I won't be far behind

Underachiever

I Won't Be Far Behind

Lyrics:
Feels like the world doesn’t stop
comes for me like it or not
half the time I’m just scraping by
if theres only 2 guarantees
Paying my taxes and sleep
then why do I feel so tired?

I run for cover
where everybody knows each other
This little place it feels like home
cause everybody’s here
We hide away from all our fears
No one with us is on their own

Look at all my friends they’re happy to see me
we’ve got nothing so no wonder we’re free
Everybody's just a little bit crazy
but who cares
come on in
this one's on me

joke all our problems away
they’ll catch right up in a day
We’re all living on borrowed time
but in here Life is a breeze
blowing dirt on future me
one more pain where the sun don’t shine

like time is frozen
every hour here is golden
square in a square hole I fit right in
Life lays it thick
When it goes wrong it goes wrong quick, but
There’s a place to go when I’m wearing thin

Chorus

Nothing is all-wrong
we've all got problems
no need to solve them cause

Chorus

Look At All My Friends

Lyrics:
When I look out my window there's no field that just won't grow
No devils spinning dust 'til it gets stuck in my throat
When I look out my window I don’t see where I’ll grow old
cause in my head I'm already gone

In my mind I'm walking through a great big field of green
My troubles are like feathers carried off in the breeze
To me this place is nothing but a long forgotten dream
cause in my head I'm already gone

no more looking for the road to my escape
I'm as free as the wind when morning starts to break
there's no more wishing that I knew how to float away
cause in my head I'm already gone

When I look out my window I don't see an old dirt road
No burning sun above that's faded everything I know
I don't see a patch of land that never felt like home
cause in my head I'm already gone

no more looking for the road to my escape
I'm as free as the wind when morning starts to break
there's no more wishing that I knew how to float away
cause in my head I'm already gone
in my head I'm already gone

Already Gone

Lyrics:
Maybe I was born tired as lazy as Sunday
My clothes are uninspired they're all just different shades of grey
I bought everything I own from late night infomercials
I cut so many corners I keep on going in circles

I've been looking at the top
Stalled at the first stop
Floating like a fly in my Earl Grey
must have been a mix up
Handing out the good luck
nothing really to ever goes my way

I just keep underachieving
self-deceiving
waiting for a free ride
Can't the world let someone else win
slow down and sleep in
Now that no one's going outside

Feels like someone's dealing from the bottom of the deck
I've nothing in my pockets I lost the little sense I had left
Nothing's ever fair when it comes to talent or success
So I'll just reuse the next few lines, save myself a little stress

Pre-chorus
Chorus

There's no room for all to be the best
Maybe there's a reason but I couldn’t care less

Chorus

These winters have a way of getting deep into your bones
like pain turns to anger if you leave it on its own
I said “My heart would never ache again” but I never had a choice

I staked your claim on home and everywhere I saw your face
Thought I’d leave you at the city line and cross a couple states
With nothing but some trauma, that I tried to lose in the noise 

While waiting for the sun to rise

I cut my hair, changed my name
sold my car, and I end each day
in an old dive bar where I stay till I feel like I’m dreaming
When I started out I was brokenhearted
now all that changed is my apartment
And where I lay my head when I should be sleeping
But I can’t outrun a feeling

I spin my wheels for weeks looking for something to behold
But I found little comfort cause the road is just a road
I’m miles and miles away still running circles in the emptiness I feel

Writers: Karl McHugh, Jim Bruno
ProducedL Karl McHugh, Reto Peter

Outrun A Feeling

I go deeper underground but I’ll keep digging. 
It’s dark and dirty work but I know I’ll be singing 
when I break stone and earth to get what I’m looking for
Sweat till I can’t breathe
No one can stop me
I show you what I’m worth

When I find gold
Gold, gold
I know I’m in the dirt but I’ll find gold
When I find gold
Gold, gold
I know I’m in the dirt but I’ll find gold

You’re like wine that tastes too sweet you were
Picked from a vine in the summer heat all your
Cares and pain float off in the breeze you
Worked for nothing
like that’s all I’m worth
But I’m digging deeper, 
I’ll make this work
I’m moving heaven and earth

Chorus

I’ve been looking for my salvation
While others dig their own grave
Deep in the shadows, there's a holy vein
Where I know I’ll be saved

Chorus 


Gold

I just can’t take the heat
This year hit like a wrecking ball to my teeth
like a spark that’s getting out of control
I’m watching all my life go up in smoke

Everything’s on fire
Like running through Hell
If nothing I do is good enough
I’ll turn the page and burn it up
And I’ll sit right here and watch the flames get higher
everything’s on fire, fire
everything’s on fire, fire

I thought this year I would be bolder, but the
The new me’s the same me, just a little bit older
I thought the heat I felt meant it’s my turn
Turns out I was on my way to crash and burn

Everything’s on fire
Like running through Hell
If nothing I do is good enough
I’ll turn the page and burn it up
And I’ll sit right here and watch the flames get higher
everything’s on fire, fire
everything’s on fire, fire

I feel like ashes falling down
I hope next year it’ll turn around
But something tells me nothing’s gonna change
And my only way back up is up in flames

Everything’s on fire
Like running through Hell
If nothing I do is good enough
I’ll turn the page and burn it up
And I’ll sit right here and watch the flames get higher
everything’s on fire, fire
everything’s on fire, fire

Everything's On Fire

Their loss
Karl McHugh © 2019

It may take a little while
Some sleepless nights
And Endless wine

We might stumble our way through
get off track
and waste some time

And If it’s true that I’m no good
then so are you
That’s just fine

I know what they’re saying
I know what they’re saying about us
They can keep complaining 
you and I both know, It’s their loss

We might fight, curse our names
Swear we’ll change
Like we always do

Pull out our hair, throw some blame
Say painful things
We know aren’t true

But when you hurt I hurt with you
there’s nothing else
I’d rather do

Chorus

You and I might need some work
But it’s not our first time
Seems the problem people have
is keeping us off their mind

Chorus

TheirLoss - KarlMcHugh

Easy Life EP

No One Told Me About You

Karl McHugh’s folk/rock songwriting is a fusion of his upbringing in Donegal, Ireland and his current home in the San Francisco Bay Area. The retro-style folk music falls somewhere between the purview of Paul Simon and CCR, evoking a house party singalong vibe: fun, warm, inclusive, and good for a laugh!

Growing up, Karl had the advantage of having the family business, a video rental store, attached to his childhood home. Movies were easily accessible and from a young age, Karl eagerly helped out around the store. With a natural appreciation for stories and films, Karl frequently discussed new releases with customers and suggested titles tailored to their individual preferences. This passion for movies has inspired his upcoming single, “In The Movies”. The song explores the gap between what films portray and real life.

Karl’s recent Easy Life EP contains deeply personal songs inspired by his struggle with US immigration. In particular, the track “No One Told Me About You”, which documents his journey from Ireland to America, was recently featured on USA Network’s hit series “Temptation Island.” His single “Keep Dreamin’ ” – written as part of his Patreon Song Series – was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting award at The Great American Songwriting Contest. 

His music continues to be widely recognised, appearing on several national TV shows and ad campaigns across both the United States and Ireland. Most recently, he composed the music for ‘The Pennsylvanian,’ a play by Jennifer Roberts. 

Before embarking on his solo project, Karl was a founding member of the Irish-American rock group, McHugh & Devine. The band toured and released The Movie Blues EP in 2015 and the Emerald Hills album in 2016. The group garnered recognition for their songwriting from both Bay Area and international organisations, including Adult Contemporary Song of the Year (West Coast Songwriters Association) and runner-up in the West Coast Songwriters International Song Contest for their 2015 song, “Flame.”

KarlMcHugh

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