McLean released his debut album, You’re Not Alone, in 1983 and with every song that followed, his lyrics filled voids, encouraged love, and offered hope. Now, more than 25 albums later, his musical legacy has not only resonated in the hearts of thousands, but continues to be a standard for those seeking meaning and peace.
To celebrate this exciting anniversary, McLean released a boxed set of six albums in 2008. The definitive collection, 25, is filled with his most beloved songs from the last 25 years, many of which were out-of-print, as well as a handful of brand-new songs on each album.
With a background in film, McLean began early in his career making commercials for radio and television, receiving numerous national and international awards for advertising. Such awards included the prestigious Clio Award, National Addy Award, New York Ad Club’s Andy Award, two National Emmy Finalists Awards, and the Bronze Lion at the Cannes Film Festival. He later used his film experience to produce and direct several films including, Together Forever, The Prodigal Son, and Mr. Krueger’s Christmas starring film legend Jimmy Stewart.
Ever the engaging performer and master storyteller, McLean has shared his beloved Christmas musical, The Forgotten Carols, with more than a half-million people across the country since 2001. With humor and heart, “The Carols” has become a beloved tradition for thousands of families who mark the beginning of their holiday season with this magical musical.
Celebrating the Light, another of McLean’s musicals, ran for five seasons at the Promised Valley Playhouse in Salt Lake City and The Garden, an allegorical oratorio written with Merrill Jenson and Bryce Neubert, opened in Jerusalem and has been performed across the country as well as in France, South America, and Russia. His popular sea-faring musical The Ark enjoyed a New York City debut in 2005.
In addition to his music and films, McLean has also authored four books with accompanying CDs – Distant Serenade, Hold on the Light Will Come: And Other Lessons My Songs Have Taught Me, The Forgotten Carols, and most recently, From God’s Arms to My Arms to Yours.
McLean and his wife Lynne have three children and live in California.
Musical Style: Piano driven inspirational
Current Residence: California
Falling
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To justify my new entwine
All the people I've been teasing
Are working hard to change my mind
Now I've abused all my excuses
And I've been waiting for a sign
I know deep down the truth is
When I question how this happened when this happened
I start wondering why
could one person make a difference be the difference
if he chose to try
When I question how this happened
when this happened
I start wondering why
could one person make a difference be the difference
if he chose to try
Falling,
far from grace
I'm far
away
I got to get down on my knees again
I got to learn to be a real friend
I got to give my all to someone else
I got to learn again to lose myself
I got to put my faith in God above
I got to turn my selfishness to love
I got to get down on my knees again
I got to learn to be a real friend
I got to give my all to someone else
I got to learn again to lose myself
I got to put my faith in God above
I got to turn my selfishness to love
The lyrics of Michael McLean's song Falling explore themes of self-reflection, inner turmoil, and the desire for change. The singer acknowledges that he has been using excuses to justify his behavior and has been teasing those around him. However, he is now at a point where he realizes that he needs to make a change and feels afraid to take action. Through questioning himself, he wonders if one person can make a difference and be the change they want to see in the world.
The chorus describes the feeling of falling from grace and being far away. This can be interpreted as the singer feeling disconnected from his true self and from others around him.
The second verse contains a repetition of the singer's realization that he needs to change his ways and become a better person. He acknowledges that he needs to be a better friend, give himself to others, and let go of his selfishness. The mention of putting faith in God represents a desire to connect to something larger than himself and to find a source of guidance and support.
Overall, the lyrics of Falling express the experience of feeling lost and disconnected from oneself and others but also acknowledge the potential for change and growth through self-reflection and taking action.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I've found so many reasons
I have rationalized and convinced myself of numerous reasons to justify my misbehavior.
To justify my new entwine
To justify my newly acquired questionable habits.
All the people I've been teasing
All the people I've mocked and ridiculed for their way of life.
Are working hard to change my mind
They are making a concerted effort to help me break away from my bad habits.
Now I've abused all my excuses
Now I've used up all my reasons for continuing my unacceptable behavior.
And I've been waiting for a sign
I'm hoping for some sort of divine intervention to show me the right way to go.
I know deep down the truth is
I know that deep down, I am aware of what's right and wrong.
I'm afraid to tow the line
I'm scared to follow the right path because it requires me to change.
When I question how this happened
When I reflect on how I ended up in this situation,
When this happened I start wondering why
I start to ask myself why things took the turn they did.
Could one person make a difference be the difference if he chose to try
Can one individual bring about a change that can make all the difference if they put in the effort.
Falling, far from grace
I am slipping away from doing what is right, and falling further away from grace.
I'm far away
I am distant from the part of me that knows what the right thing is.
I got to get down on my knees again
I need to humble myself, seek forgiveness, and pray for guidance.
I got to learn to be a real friend
I must learn to put the needs of others before me, and be a true friend.
I got to give my all to someone else
I need to invest my time, resources, and love in someone else.
I got to learn again to lose myself
I need to lose my ego and start thinking of others' needs before my own.
I got to put my faith in God above
I need to trust in a higher power and seek guidance from it.
I got to turn my selfishness to love
I need to change my self-serving nature to one that's more empathetic, kind, and loving.
Contributed by Blake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ana
on Mary Let Me Hold Her Baby
❤ Best songs ever
Sage Boyer
on What Is Real
It's Real- by Michael McLean
The truth we all must seek; has not been concealed.
If we ask prayerfully, and look, we will see;
everything testifies it's real.
And all the Lord has made, and all His works reveal;
There's a purpose and plan, for the family of man.
And everything testifies it's real.
And every person upon the earth;
can know in their hearts if it's true.
And though it's a struggle; we're not left alone.
And if we have faith, He'll see us through.
And when we see his face; what peace and joy we'll feel!
At the glory of Him, our hearts burn within;
for He testifies that his gospel is real!
And no one can deny; and every soul will kneel,
for with His life, He testified-It's real