I learned my first song on the clarinet when I was barely nine A year in, you'd see me play on streets, with my godfather behind It was mom's and dad's idea to guarantee I learn to play But it was brass band to addict me to the music right away I got a saxophone to find my sound and I shared it to the world Countless shows that are forgotten now, but Paris is not First solo, shaky knees… still can't believe the crowd applauded 16 bars have changed my life in ways hadn't even thought of Zoltan, you were teacher, but then you changed into a friend Half a century don't mean much as an age gap in the end You said: "Get a proper job!" And you're frankly being honest But one day I'll prove you wrong when label contracts bring the dollars Thank you momma! Thank you dad! You guys got me that far Please don't be mad I ditched my horn for a new laptop and guitars You heard me in the days when my voice couldn't hit a note Consider these lines yours. I hope they make you proud 10.000 hours running like a countdown And I'm counting every single one 'til hundred thousands sing along 10.000 hours running like a countdown And I'm loving every single one This journey's only just begun Yeah music put me in, I was a nerd, then I got fame Not the Wembley, just the gym, but man, it felt like it's the same Graduation made me lose it all, I got thrown into real life No more music, loss of self-control, alone most of the time Pain struck by my achy heart – so rough to lose first love I tried to drown the void, but fell apart and washed off who I was Yet alcohol assured relief, a straight-A got a sot Dismissed my friends to feel more free and numbed the pain with countless shots About a hundred months of wrecking health and wasting time made me an ego-centric asshole in a selfish state of mind I'm glad this time passed by, but there are scars left to be fixed Luke, you've been my best friend, trust me when I say: You're missed Robert, do you too feel sad that we grew apart somehow Not been the brother you deserve, but man, I swear to get it now Dear friends I lost along the way, I really hope you hear those lines I miss you more than I can say, but I must leave this life behind now 10.000 hours running like a countdown And I'm counting every single one 'til hundred thousands sing along 10.000 hours running like a countdown And I'm loving every single one This journey's only just begun Something happened in the past 3 years, that changed my point of view I learned to break through self-made barriers and make dreams come true Guided by the pain - it showed me weak spots to admit I'm not afraid to make mistakes now, nor afraid to say: I quit Quit friends who were like brothers, but in the end you got to learn that you give them all that you can offer, but get envy in return I make no secret of my goal to get that golden gramophone Hearing they laugh behind my back only accelerates my growth When the reason disappears, I check my progress of the past Been writing songs for just one year now try to hone in on the mass This track will mark the start of a new chapter in my life However, change already started when I met my future wife Stef, it's you at last. I saved the best bit 'til the end We didn't have no rocket start, but babe, there's nothing we can't mend You gave up on your dreams, so that I can achieve mine You're my soulmate. You're my team. And we still better over time 10.000 hours running like a countdown And I'm counting every single one 'til hundred thousands sing along 10.000 hours running like a countdown And I'm loving every single one This journey's only just begun