"Hard Act to Follow"
writers: Michael McFarland, George Chase Jr.

Verse 1
The lights go up and it’s time for your solo
I’m in the wings, standing here in the shadow
I’m tired of your games
Fixing your mistakes
Done with the supporting role and sick of second place
Exit expecting I’ll follow

Chorus
You want to leave me, baby that’s fine
Think that it’s easy, but baby you’ll find
I’m a hard act to follow

Verse 2
So now I’m done being your understudy
I’m sick of you treating me like a nobody
Even from the start
Acting out the part
Diva with a charred, hard heart

Chorus

Bridge
Was just your opening act
But here’s a cold hard fact
Baby can’t you see
That’s my name on the marquee

Drop Chorus
You want to leave me, baby that’s fine
Think that it’s easy, but baby you’ll find

Final Chorus
And now I’m leaving and baby that’s fine
It’s gonna be easy, and baby you’ll find
I’m a hard act to follow

MESSMAKER - Hard Act To Follow

"Excuse These Boots"
by
Michael McFarland (BMI, #624902947)
Steven Charles (ASCAP, #1129198444)
Lindsay Popa (BMI, #1074893917)

‘Scuse these boots for making
A ruckus while you’re conversatin’
They were under the impression we were here to cut loose
‘Scuse these boots for slidin’
Up on ya while he’s providin’
No attention to a woman that’s as pretty as you

Pre-Chorus:
Sorry not sorry ‘bout what I do
Guess I gotta blame the boots

Chorus:
Excuse these boots for stompin’
But this place is jumpin’
Kickin dust up in old snakeskins
Shakin’ it down and two-steppin (and when)
That jukebox’s bumpin’
Feet don’t stand a chance
Excuse these boots for stompin’
But they just can’t help but dance

Verse 2:
‘Scuse these boots for scootin’
Can’t help the way they’re movin’
To the boogie beat that’s bouncing from the back to the bar

Pre-Chorus 2:
Scuse these boots for cuttin’ in
But they just can’t resist

Excuse These Boots - Michael McFarland, Steven Charles, Lindsay Popa - Guitar + Vocal

MESSMAKER - Headphones - Instrumental

WRITTEN BY:
Michael McFarland (BMI), Steven Charles (ASCAP)

Ain't even started yet!

Dawn’s about to break, while you wait for the breakdown
Thinkin’ we’re asleep, but we keep wide awake now
Better keep counting if you counted us out
Better keep moving cause our movement is loud

CHORUS 1
Rise up
Like a new sun
Light it up bright like a new revolution
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say “it’s over,
And done”
‘Cause we ain’t even started yet

Took another shot, ‘cause you thought you were hot, well
We’re never gonna stop, yeah we drop like a bombshell
Ringin' up to the rafters hear the roar of the crowd
Raisin’ the banner high, because our moment is now

CHORUS 2
Rise up
Like a new sun
Light it up bright like a new revolution
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say “it’s over"
Dawn's about to break, so we keep wide awake 'til we
Rise up
We’re your worst fear
Comin’ in hot, but we’re not out of first gear
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say “it’s over,
And done”
Ain’t even started yet

If you’re thinking it’s a game to us
Best believe, best believe that we’re dangerous

CHORUS 3
Rise up
Like a new sun
Light it up bright like a new revolution
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say “it’s over"
Took another shot, but we're never gonna stop 'til we
Rise up
We’re your worst fear
Comin’ in hot, but we’re not out of first gear
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say “it’s over,
And done”
Ain’t even started yet

MESSMAKER - Ain't Even Started

WRITTEN BY:
Michael McFarland (BMI), Steven Charles (ASCAP), Brad Hacker (BMI), Aaron Rose (BMI)
Verse 1:
I guess I slept the wrong way last night
Stubbed my toe goin’ to turn on the light
Tryin’ not to cuss but I just might
Guess I’m livin’ the dream

Couldn’t find my keys, now I’m runnin’ late
Low on gas, well that’s just great
Gridlock stopped on the interstate
Guess I’m livin’ the dream

Pre-Chorus:
Doesn’t bother me, bother me
‘Cause I got everything, everything

Chorus:
A little place on a piece of land
A baby on the way and you holding my hand
An ice cold beer when the work is through
I guess dreams really do come true
Supper on the table and the bills are paid
That’s all I really need at the end of the day
Girl I’m lovin’ all the little things you do
Now I’m livin’ the dream with you
You, ooo, ooo, ooo
Yeah I’m livin’ the dream with you

Verse 2:
You and me on a Friday night
CMT on the satellite
Simple things just feel so right
Yeah, we’re livin’ the dream

Chorus

Bridge:
I got everything, everything
‘Cause it’s you and me, you and me, and…

Chorus

Livin the Dream - 2025 Demo

WRITTEN BY:
Michael McFarland (BMI), Steven Charles (ASCAP)

Verse 1
I woke up to the thunder
And an empty bed
Ready to have a bad day
Something went wrong
Yeah something went wrong
Trading all of my sunlight
For some dollar bills
But my bills are barely paid
And something felt wrong
Yeah something’ felt wrong

Pre-Chorus
‘Til I saw your face at the circle K
Shot a look my way, and then…

Chorus
Something went wrong
And I can’t stop smiling
On a dark cloud day
You're my silver lining, shining
Brighter than you’ve got any right to be
Something went right
And I ain’t complainin’
Baby you're the break in my endless raining
Saving me from my own saddest song
I was ready to have a bad day when
Something went wrong

Verse 2
You’re the shelter I run to
You’re that saving grace
You’re my rainbow in a hurricane
Something’s gotta be wrong
Cause it ain’t gone wrong


Something Went Wrong - Demo

Michael McFarland (BMI), Steven Charles (ASCAP), Kemet Ojo (BMI)

VERSE 1
Dawn’s about to break, while you wait for the breakdown
Thinkin’ we’re asleep, but we keep wide awake now
Better keep counting if you counted us out
Better keep moving cause our movement is LOUD

CHORUS 1
Rise up
Like a new sun
Light it up bright like a new revolution
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say “it’s over, 
And done”
We ain’t even started yet

VERSE 2
Took another shot, ‘cause you thought you were hot, well
We’re never gonna stop, yeah we drop like a bombshell
Ringin' up to the rafters hear the roar of the crowd
Raisin’ the banner high, because our  moment is NOW

CHORUS 2
Rise up
Like a new sun
Light it up bright like a new revolution
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say “it’s over" 
Dawn's about to break, so we keep wide awake till we
Rise up
We’re your worst fear
Comin’ in hot, but we’re not out of first gear
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say “it’s over, 
And done”
Ain’t even started yet

BRIDGE A
If you’re thinking it’s a game to us
Best believe, best believe that we’re dangerous

BRIDGE B (Jinari Kemet)
Get out the way
You made a mistake when you counted me out
I’m making waves, nobody is safe
So you better pray that you not getting drowned
Been gone for a while, yeah it’s been a minute 
Now I’m ending the drought when I’m back up in it
I’m making a mess that you gotta witness 
Why you chasing the crown when you cant defend it 

Let’s be honest, you wasn’t ready for this
I got everything that i set out to get
While you were complaining and shifting the blame
I gave the world something they’ll never forget
But look, it isn’t too late
You can turn it around and be something great
You comparing yourself to everyone else 
Is what’ll keep you in the same place 

Society said that we had to be enemies feeding into the divide
We’re stronger together and thrive under pressure camaraderie kept us alive
So open your eyes, get read to fight
There’s plenty of battles ahead, but tonight we’ll survive when we

CHORUS 2
Rise up
Like a new sun
Light it up bright like a new revolution
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say, “it’s over" 
Took another shot, but we're never gonna stop till we
Rise up
We’re your worst fear
Comin’ in hot, but we’re not out of first gear
Look over your shoulder, ‘til we say “it’s over, 
And done”
Ain’t even started yet

MESSMAKER feat. Jinari Kemet - Ain't Even Started

JUST IN CASE
(Michael McFarland, Steven Charles, Diana Taub)

Verse 1
I know you’re prob’ly already asleep
And maybe you ain’t tryna hear “I’m sorry” 
I know you prob’ly think I’m seven shots deep
But I’ve been staring at a cold cup of coffee

Pre-chorus
Jimmy says he’s gotta close
And I oughta head home
Girl, we shouted up a storm that’s still fallin’
Promise that I’ll take it slow
But they’re shuttin down the roads
So I guess the whole reason that I’m callin’s

Chorus
Just in case the highway’s flooded 
Just in case those waters rise 
Just in case these tires start slipping 
I wanna tell you one more time 
So I’m leaving you this message
Cause I can’t see you face to face
Please know I love you
Just in case

Verse 2
I know I prob’ly don’t say it enough
But you’re like the sunshine when it’s rainin’ 
And yeah I prob’ly sound like I’m in a rush
If I don’t say it, it’ll drive me crazy 

Chorus

Bridge
Jimmy says he’s gotta close
And I oughta head home
Promise that I’ll take it slow

Chorus

Just In Case - Demo 2025.08.12 - Michael McFarland, Steven Charles, Diana Taub

"Between Drinking and Driving"
Steven Charles, Kipper Lee Linville, Michael McFarland

Verse 1
Keys on the table and a bottle in the middle
But I didn’t crack the seal just yet
I’m pickin’ at the label while I’m sortin’ out the riddle
Of why she just up and left

Pre-Chorus
Am I leaving this house tonight
Or drinkin’ til I feel right?

Chorus
Havin’ a hard time without her
Havin’ an argument with myself
Is it a hard ride till I’ve found her
Or a handle on loneliness
Am I gonna chase her or do I need a chaser
For now I’m just meltin’ ice
Havin’ a hard time decidin’ 
I’m fightin’ 
Between drinkin’ and drivin’

Verse 2
Sober as a preacher, maybe I could reach her
If I get in the truck right now 
Wishin’ she were with me but all I have is whiskey
whispering my name so loud

Between Drinking & Driving

Written by:
Cody Clayton Eagle (ASCAP)
Nancy Deckant (BMI)
Michael McFarland (BMI)
Steven Charles (ASCAP)

VERSE 1:
Town’s shuttin’ down but we ain’t tired
Worlds gonna spin like these four tires
Daylight’s callin but you know we don’t listen
No breakdowns ‘til we break dawn
Streets looks better with the streetlights on
And we don’t start until that stoplight’s blinkin’

PRE-CHORUS
We won’t settle for sunset

CHORUS:
We’re chasin’ Midnight
Down in the headlights
Takin’ this thing as far as it goes
Yeah it’s a thrill ride
Pushin’ the red line
Raisin’ hell while we’re layin’ down smoke
Don’t ya just love when the road hits the rubber
Keepin’ it in overdrive
No stop signs or red lights
Chasin' midnight

VERSE 2
Moonlight’s dancin’ ‘cross this hood
Cool night air just feels so good
The highway hummin’ tells me, this is livin’

PRE-CHORUS 2:
And we ain’t tryin’ to stop yet

Chasin' Midnight (Demo)

"Faultlines"
Steven Charles, Kimberly Korn, Michael McFarland

Verse 1
So we split
Ground shook beneath us
What we thought was solid rock must’ve deceived us
I must admit
That I’ve been careless
With this fragile thing we had but take a fair guess

Pre-Chorus 1
Who’s to blame 
Say my name

Chorus
Earthquakin’
We ain’t makin’ up
I take it
That you’ve had enough 
If you’re askin’ ‘bout the fractures
And the cracks beneath our feet
You can trace all of the faultlines back to me

Verse 2
I did you wrong
Ain’t no denyin’
Because you said time after time I wasn’t tryin’
I know you’re gone
Ain’t gonna fight it
Play like your heart is made of stone, I know you’re lyin’

Chorus
Earthquakin’
We ain’t makin’ up
I take it
That you’ve had enough 
If you’re askin’ ‘bout the fractures
And the cracks beneath our feet
You can trace all of the faultlines back to me


MESSMAKER - Faultlines

Aggressively catchy melodies pair with soul-filled lyrics in musical architect Michael McFarland’s refreshing take on indie rock. Garnering comparisons ranging from modern rock acts such as Weezer and Bastille to classic singer-songwriters such as Paul Simon and Elton John, McFarland’s songwriting is frank, expressive, and clever. Performing live-looping acrobatics as a one-man rock show, or backed by his four-piece band The Mess Makers, the Cleveland, Ohio-based performer elevates the material on stage with a seemingly inexhaustible energy. Showing a maturity of style and sound that has developed through years of travel, relationships, heartbreaks, and reinventions, McFarland’s music contains talent, passion, and lyrics that come from the heart. The result? A big, bright, and lovestruck slice of anthemic indie rock.

MichaelMcFarlandMusic

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