This was recorded by me at a bar behind the Norva in Norfolk, VA around 2006. The recording is a tad crappy because I used my little mp3 player to record it.

But, I captured Mat Kearney playing “In the Middle” for the first time, acoustic, just using his guitar. It was very awesome.

Here is a little bit of the chit-chat that happened before he started playing:

“But, I can’t play it on guitar” – He was a little reluctant to play it at first, but then he proceeded by starting to try….

After he got a little bit into the song he said: “Wow” because he was genuinely surprised when it sounded good.

Then, after he was finished he said:

“I promise you, that has never happened!… That was amazing… ”

“I honestly never played that on a guitar once, ever…. I’m not lying.”

So, I feel pretty good that Mat Kearney is awesome, and so is this song.
Download Bootleg – 06-in-the-middle

Here are the lyrics:

I meant it all and every part
And every word right from the start
I’ll never let this love fall in the middle

‘Cause you know you broke the hardest part
You know you broke the hardest heart
I’ll never let this love fall in the puddle
Through it all

Fifteen years old in a sea of blank faces
Swimming bold against a stream that’s mocking as it races
In these halls, mountain high under a tangerine sky
Crack a smile just to hide the race that’s inside
Eighteen years old bags packed and a pass for the rail
One last look at the past as it drowns in the hail
One in a million, still I keep feeling you keep me from a fall
A world to lose coming back with you maul
Through it all

CHORUS:
No parachutes no safety nets here
One foot on the water to face these fears
I’m coming out strong like I can’t be wrong
I said “hey, I won’t stall in the middle”

Twenty five here I am with freshman lp’s
One life to write one, two years to repeat
Behind a cutain, uncertain if an encore’s in store
Tuck my shoulder like a soldier to knock down the door
Thirty something here I’m running with kisses for one girl
These scars upon my sleeve still casting out my pearls
Throw each stone microphone like it’s my last turn
With a kiss to the abyss and watch the ripples return
Through it all

CHORUS x2

And I’m gonna be alright, I’m gonna be alright
With you by my side
And I said I’m gonna be alright, I’m gonna be alright
With you through this night
Through it all

CHOSUS x2

I meant it all and every part
And every word right from the start
I’ll allways let this love fall in the puddle
Through it all