Some love songs romanticize the journey. Scott Hongell tells the truth instead. With his compelling new single “If I’da Met You First,” the singer-songwriter steps into deeply personal territory, confronting the emotional debris of toxic relationships and the fragile hope of finding real love after being broken by the wrong ones. It’s not a song about falling in love—it’s about learning how to believe in it again.
The track draws from a chapter in Hongell’s life that many will recognize: surviving emotional chaos, then finally meeting the person who feels like peace. That moment of clarity comes with equal parts gratitude and self-doubt—what if past hurt makes it hard to hold on to something good? Hongell doesn’t dodge that vulnerability; he leans into it, delivering a raw vocal performance that feels more like a confession than a recording. The emotion in his voice never feels forced—it feels lived in.
Produced by Albert Anthony Biele at Trebla Studios, the song builds around a steady acoustic backbone and swelling instrumentation that mirrors the emotional arc of the lyrics. Nothing is over-polished; instead, there’s an intentional grit, a sincerity that lets every lyric breathe. The line “you’d be my ride or die” serves as the record’s emotional anchor—simple, direct, and painfully human. It’s not about grand romantic gestures; it’s about finally wanting something real.
“If I’da Met You First” is designed for full-volume listening. Hongell recommends a pair of good headphones or a long, late-night drive—somewhere with enough space to sit with the weight of it. It’s a song for people who fought their way out of the wrong love and are brave enough to try again, scars and all.
This release marks the beginning of a new chapter for Hongell. His next single, “December,” is already in motion, signaling more stories drawn from a life that hasn’t always been easy—but has always been honest. Beyond music, Hongell carries that same authenticity into everything he does. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he closes the track with a message that comes from somewhere deeper than music: respect for resilience and gratitude for those still fighting battles seen and unseen.
Stream “If I’da Met You First” now on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Because some songs aren’t just heard—they’re felt by anyone who’s ever survived love and still believed in another chance.
