Easy is a song about revealing my insecurities and flaws only to be met with disappointment. I wanted to marry those lyrics with an upbeat, hopeful melody and arrangement celebrating the success of being honest no matter the outcome.

The track is taken from my EP "For The Record"

Lyrics:

Here we go, down this road again
On my own, feeling tired
When I cried and you never asked why it’s 
Cause I’m scared sometimes

I’m just a boy with a dream and I think it might be 
Why I’m here with a mind so messy
Just a boy with the hope it might turn out fine

I love you but you broke my heart 
I told you it was easy
I know it's just the way you are 
You said you didn’t mean it
I’m alright on my own
Give it time, let it go
I love you but you broke my heart 
I told you it was easy
I told you it was

In the end this is the way to go
And maybe then we’ll happy
You know I hate this I’m never gonna fake it 
Feels like a waste of time

I’m just a boy with a dream and I think it might be 
Why I’m here with a mind so messy
Just a boy with the hope it might turn out fine

I love you but you broke my heart 
I told you it was easy
I know it's just the way you are 
You said you didn’t mean it
I’m alright on my own
Give it time, let it go
I love you but you broke my heart 
I told you it was easy
I told you it was

I’m on the outside looking in
But I’ll find my way back home again

I love you but you broke my heart 
I told you it was easy
I know it's just the way you are 
You said you didn’t mean it
I’m alright on my own
Give it time, let it go
I love you but you broke my heart 
I told you it was easy
I told you it was

For The Record

Easy

I grew up listening to my parent’s record collection (Queen, Billy Joel, Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel) and I wanted to explore how those influences could sit alongside modern production, showcasing where I’m heading as a recording artist while staying true to my “story song” roots. I've always loved playing with space and tension when producing songs but also love a good "hands in the air sing-a-long" moment, that's how this track was born.

It's is taken from my EP "For The Record"

Lyrics:

When the day is done
You know it means the dark will come
We can leave a little night light on
Sometimes

When the sun comes up
You know it's gonna shine on us
You know it's gonna make our love
Worthwhile

Hold me in your arms
And tell me that you won't let go
Cause all I need is you
To keep my heart beating

If you let me in
You can teach me how to be your friend
I'll listen till the very end
This time

And don't you ever doubt it
You know I've never been around it
So tell me if you need a shoulder
Hand to hold you know where I'll be

Hold me in your arms
And tell me that you won't let go
Cause all I need is you
To keep my heart beating

Oh I'm on the edge
And it's you I'm calling
Oh I need you there
Cause I'm scared of falling

Hold me in your arms
And tell me that you won't let go
Cause all I need is you
To keep my heart beating

Hold me in your arms
And tell me that you won't let go
Cause all I need is you
To keep my heart beating

Hold Me In Your Arms

“Lover” is a song exploring the subject of blame; considering personal responsibility for a lack of communication in a relationship ultimately being a main reason for it ending and acknowledging that this may be the only way to move forward personally. 

It's the final track from my new EP "The Art Of Change" which was funded by Creative Scotland and features co-writes with independent Scottish songwriters Fin Brodie (Scout), Liv Dawn, Liam Narrie (JAKIL) and Jamie Robertson (Liimo, Benjamin Francis Leftwich) as well as string arrangements by Elspeth Mackay (Horse, Bond 25 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).

"Lover" will be available to stream and download on all major platforms from Friday 9th September 2022.

Lyrics:

Did my love let you down
Was I too quiet when you needed me around
I never learned to compromise
I must have overlook the sadness in your eyes

Think I’ll find another way to be your lover
Can’t deny it I’ve been tired I’ve been colder
Think if I’d been someone else or someone stronger 
Maybe we could both let go

Did you know that I was scared
I kept quiet cause my fear was always there
I never meant to break your heart
Or play the games we always hated from the start

I think I’ll find another way to be your lover
I can’t deny it I’ve been tired I’ve been colder
I think if I’d been someone else or someone stronger 
Maybe we could both let go

I’ve been searching always chasing in my head for so long
I’ve been waiting overthinking too much time on my own 

Think I'll find another way to be your lover (x7)
And maybe we should both let go

Lyrics & Music by McKenzie / Haggarty
String arrangements by Elspeth Mackay
Mixed by Paul McInally
Mastered by Ed Woods
Artwork by Evan Hamilton

"The Art of Change" is a collaborative writing project by Mike McKenzie funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

The Art Of Change

Lover

“This House” is a track about resisting change and expecting things to get better and realising that perhaps there may need to be a full reset to actually move forward. 

It was the third track written for my new EP "The Art Of Change" which was funded by Creative Scotland and features co-writes with independent Scottish songwriters Fin Brodie (Scout), Liv Dawn, Liam Narrie (JAKIL) and Jamie Robertson (Liimo, Benjamin Francis Leftwich) as well as string arrangements by Elspeth Mackay (Horse, Bond 25 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).

Lyrics:

I missed the signs now I can’t take much more
I never take my own advice or wait for the final score
If only I could satisfy my need to cry
and leave my phone at home sometimes
I’d see the things I’ve never seen before

It’s always on my mind
that I’ve been wasting time love

This house looks better from the outside
No doubt, I’ve gotta clear the whole thing out
I try to get things right
I’m tired but I won’t stop trying

Think I’d feel better by the seaside
But this time I’ve gotta stop moving around
I heard to make things worse
You get hurt and you get hurt trying

I’ve been holding on for something new
I don’t think I have the time to change my point of view
I know when I closed my eyes and cut all ties 
I must have I folded just in time again
I know that’s all I ever do

It’s always on my mind
that I’ve been wasting time love

This house looks better from the outside
No doubt, I’ve gotta clear the whole thing out
I try to get things right
I’m tired but I won’t stop trying

Think I’d feel better by the seaside
But this time I’ve gotta stop moving around
I heard to make things worse
You get hurt and you get hurt trying

Stand up and sit back down again
I’m no good at deciding when
To step outside or close the blinds
Cause you get hurt trying

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do
To leave a mark or pass right through
I’d redesign my way of life
But you get hurt trying

This house looks better from the outside
No doubt, I’ve gotta clear the whole thing out
I try to get things right
I’m tired but I won’t stop trying

Think I’d feel better by the seaside
But this time I’ve gotta stop moving around
I heard to make things worse
You get hurt and you get hurt trying

Lyrics & Music by McKenzie / Davidson
String arrangements by Elspeth Mackay
Mixed by Paul McInally
Mastered by Ed Woods
Artwork by Evan Hamilton

"The Art of Change" is a collaborative writing project by Mike McKenzie funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

This House

“Where Did You Go?” is essentially a journal entry exploring the feeling of getting lost in the rat race of life; retrospectively realising how far from the path you may have gone while trying to figure out how to get back. 

It's the second single from my new EP "The Art Of Change" which was funded by Creative Scotland and features co-writes with independent Scottish songwriters Fin Brodie (Scout), Liv Dawn, Liam Narrie (JAKIL) and Jamie Robertson (Liimo, Benjamin Francis Leftwich) as well as string arrangements by Elspeth Mackay (Horse, Bond 25 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).

"Where Did You Go?" will be available to stream and download on all major platforms from Friday 12th August 2022.

Lyrics:

I don’t wanna say it
I’m running out of faith and time
Maybe I could fake it
Maybe I should fall in line

When the choices I’m making
Feel like the same old rhymes
All the moments I’m wasting
Trying not to fall behind

Where did you go?
I wanna know

Brother can you feel it
There's something in the art of change
Knowing how to face it
You’re never gonna stop the rain / that train

And you know if you’re honest
It’s harder to face it on your own
But I made you a promise
You’ll never walk this road alone

Where did you go?
Where did you go?
Where did you go?
I wanna know

Lyrics & Music by McKenzie / Narrie / Robertson
String arrangements by Elspeth Mackay
Mixed by Paul McInally
Mastered by Ed Woods
Artwork by Evan Hamilton

"The Art of Change" is
 a collaborative writing project by Mike McKenzie funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

Where Did You Go?

"Getting Older" celebrates the joy and support that you can find in relationships, and the promise of what's still to come.

It was the first single from my new EP "The Art Of Change" which was funded by Creative Scotland and features co-writes with independent Scottish songwriters Fin Brodie (Scout), Liv Dawn, Liam Narrie (JAKIL) and Jamie Robertson (Liimo, Benjamin Francis Leftwich) as well as string arrangements by Elspeth Mackay (Horse, Bond 25 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).

Lyrics:

I’ve been thinking about
How the world turned out
But I never minded
Coz loving you’s so exciting
I been on my knees
Begging for some sympathy 
But I don’t think I need it
No I don’t think I need it

Now I’ve found a
Way to keep my head above the ground
I’m alright

Now we’re getting older, I told ya
I’ll always be around
And I’ll never let you down
As long as I can hold ya 
I’m always here when 
The world is on your shoulders
I don’t mind getting older
As long as I can hold ya

You’re my ecstasy 
The river to my sea
Fill me up with your love 
Show you I’m worthy of it
Losing track of time
Ageing like the finest wines
But I don't mind it
Cos I think I kind of like it

Now I’ve found a
Way to keep my head above the ground
I’m alright	

Now we’re getting older, I told ya
I’ll always be around
And I’ll never let you down
As long as I can hold ya 
I’m always here when 
The world is on your shoulders
I don’t mind getting older
As long as I can hold ya

Falling for you day and night
Loving you gets better with time 

Now we’re getting older, I told ya
I’ll always be around
And I’ll never let you down
As long as I can hold ya 
I’m always here when 
The world is on your shoulders
I don’t mind getting older
As long as I can hold ya

Lyrics & Music by McKenzie / Narrie / Robertson
String arrangements by Elspeth Mackay
Mixed by Paul McInally
Mastered by Ed Woods
Artwork by Evan Hamilton

"The Art of Change" is a collaborative writing project by Mike McKenzie funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

Getting Older

I'd Wait Again

I Don't Wanna Know

Breathe You In

All I Need

Lyrics: 

It haunts me, the red leaves
As they wash away the summer tide
And I know I can move too slow
Taken by the darker nights

I won't lie but it's not the time for this
I will wait for the birdsong

Homebound with my feet on the ground
When my wings would be south about now
And I don't wanna face this change
When I'm already drained
And I can't find a way out

I won't lie but it's not the time for this
I will wait for the birdsong

I can store away my fears tonight
But I know that I will always miss this light
And I know that I won't always get it right

I won't lie but it's not the time for this
I will wait for the birdsong
I won't lie but it's not the time for this
I will wait for the birdsong

Birdsong

Sunshine

Hide & Seek

Mr Bang!

Homesick

Time For Love

Mike Mckenzie - Out Alive

‘OUT ALIVE’ is the first single from my debut album and marks the beginning of a whole new chapter for me as an artist. As an out and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community I wanted this first single to be a calling card for folks to know that my shows and my music will always be a safe space for people to come together no matter who you are or how you identify. I’ve struggled over the years to figure out exactly who I am as an artist and I finally realised this past year that my music doesn’t need to be defined by anything or anyone. The best way to make art is to make the art you love. Written or sung, my voice is my identity and that voice can take many forms and still remain truly authentic.

Lyrics:

If the earth turned slowly 
Would it feel so lonely?
Like a market town
With the volume down
When I need some company
Would you walk a mile with me?

Overnight we change our minds 
To realise what matters

I never wanted anybody else 
To feel like they’re hated, isolated
And everywhere I go I know
They say ‘it’s easy to fake it’
But I made it out alive

If you think about it
We were less than perfect
And i won’t go back
No i won’t do that
Cause I love this life
Like I love the sunrise

Overnight we change our minds 
To realise what matters
I’m old enough to know that love
Can hold you up thereafter

I never wanted anybody else 
To feel like they’re hated, isolated
And everywhere I go I know
They say ‘it’s easy to fake it’
But I made it out alive

“Don’t fear the light, I’m on your side…
But you’ve got to be somebody else”
“Out of the dark to un-break my heart
You’ve got to be somebody else”

Overnight we change our minds 
To realise what matters

I never wanted anybody else 
To feel like they’re hated, isolated
And everywhere I go I know
They say ‘it’s easy to fake it’
But I made it out alive

Written & Performed by MIKE MCKENZIE
Produced & Mixed by MARTY HAILEY
© METRO 13 RECORDS

Out Alive

Control The Tide

Mourn You

Mike McKenzie - Little By Little (Acoustic)

When I wrote this song, I was thinking about how making small changes and building a strong foundation is the only way for big changes to be able to stand tall and become sustainable. It’s a response to my own self doubt and the self doubt that stems from being overwhelmed by a topic, challenge or decision feeling too big - a sure fire way to stop any kind of development in its tracks. I think that finding a way to make attainable and achievable changes, no matter how small a step, is the only way to truly move forwards.

Lyrics

Move with the water
Gotta set yourself free
I’m only being honest 
I think you might need
To let yourself go
To let yourself go

Soar like a bird 
With a baby to feed
I feel your hesitation
But I think you might need
To let yourself go
To let yourself go

And “I don’t wanna talk about it”
Is what you always say to me so
When we gonna talk about it
I know it’s what you need

Just aim a little bit higher
Just talk a little bit louder
Just take it little by little
Little by little
Just go a little bit further
Just fight a little bit harder
Just take it little by little

Bored with he world
Cause you always get hurt
Drawn to the fire
But your bound to get burned
You need to let go
You’ve got to let go

Always “gonna try it”
But you never set sail
Take a deep breath
cause you might not fail
You need to let go
You’ve got to let go

And “I don’t wanna talk about it”
Is what you always say to me so
When we gonna talk about it
I know it’s what you need

Just aim a little bit higher
Just talk a little bit louder
Just take it little by little
Little by little
Just go a little bit further
Just fight a little bit harder
Just take it little by little

I mean everything that I said
Don’t you even doubt it
Let yourself believe
I see everything you could be
Everything you should be
Let yourself believe

Just aim a little bit higher
Just talk a little bit louder
Just take it little by little
Little by little
Just go a little bit further
Just fight a little bit harder
Just take it little by little
Little by little

"Songwriter Vol.1" will be released on all platforms on Friday the 12th of June

All music & Lyrics by Mike McKenzie
www.facebook.com/mikemckenzieonline
www.instagram.com/mikemckenzieonline

Little By Little (Acoustic)

For fans of: Maggie Rogers, Tom O'Dell, Ben Howard, Ben Abraham, Athlete.

Mike McKenzie (he/him) is an award winning singer/songwriter based in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 2019 Mike won BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Singer/Songwriter of the Year’ as judged by Fran Healy (Travis), Horse McDonald, Karine Polwart, Geoff Ellis (DF Concerts) and Dee Bahl with his original song ‘Love Like This’ and, after recording the award winning single at Abbey Road, followed the advice of Fran who told him not to rush into releasing an album too quickly. Mike spent time writing, recording and independently releasing music with huge support from BBC Scotland, independent radio across the UK and Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2 who describes his songwriting as "Gorgeous".

McKenzie’s laid back, inclusive shows have proved a smash with audiences around the UK and beyond. Touring has seen him perform and headline at iconic venues across the UK including Glasgow's King Tut’s and TRNSMT Festival, Edinburgh's Queens Hall, London's Green Note, The Drawing Room in Chesham and several SoFar Sounds shows including co-curating their Edinburgh PRIDE event and playing to a sold out room in Paris, France. He has also performed live on BBC Radio Scotland multiple times including the iconic new music show ‘The Quay Sessions with Roddy Hart’ and The Afternoon Show as their 'Artist of the Week'.

In 2023, Mike was approached by Metro 13 Studios (formerly Chamber Studio: Snow Patrol, Karine Polwart, Mogwai, Robert Smith) in Edinburgh where, after just one session, they saw the huge potential in his talent and immediately offered him a record deal with their indie label Metro 13 Records. His debut album ‘I’d Wait Again’ is set for release in April 2025.

Contact: mikemckenzieonline@gmail.com
Website: www.mikemckenzieonline.com

Mike McKenzie

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