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
Gentle
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a gentle wind can blow the clouds from the sky.
Like a gentle touch can ease the pain of goodbye.
Like a gentle smile embraces, empty souls in lowly places.
We should be more gentle with ourselves.
Like the friend who gently builds us up when we're down.
We've been hurt by others often, we've forgiven and forgotten.
We should as gentle with ourselves.
Life can be hard but we need not be
So hard on ourselves if we will see.
Like the Shepherd leads His flock with gentle commands.
With His gentle voice that only hearts understand.
One thing we can know for certain, He has born the awful burdens
So, we can be gentle with ourselves.
One thing that I know for certain, He will bear my every burden.
So I can be gentle with myself.
The lyrics of Michael McLean's song Gentle tells us to be more gentle with ourselves. It means to show ourselves love, kindness, and forgiveness, just like how a gentle wind can blow the clouds from the sky, or a gentle touch can ease the pain of goodbye. The song encourages us to be mindful of how we treat ourselves, especially when we're down, just like how a gentle friend can build us up. We should forget and forgive others who have hurt us, but most importantly, we should also be gentle with ourselves.
The song reminds us that life can be tough, but we don't need to be hard on ourselves. If we follow the gentle voice of the Shepherd, who leads His flock with gentle commands and bears our burdens, we can be gentle with ourselves. The lyrics also remind us that by being gentle with ourselves, we can be better equipped to handle the challenges of life. The song encourages us to embrace our vulnerabilities, recognize our inner strength, and to embrace the gentle voice of love and compassion.
Overall, the song's message is about self-love, self-care, and self-compassion, reminding us to treat ourselves gently, just like how we treat those we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a gentle wind can blow the clouds from the sky.
The power of gentleness can be transformative, just like the gentle wind that can clear the cloudy skies.
Like a gentle touch can ease the pain of goodbye.
Goodbyes can be painful, but the tenderness of a gentle touch can provide comfort and relief.
Like a gentle smile embraces, empty souls in lowly places.
A simple gesture like a smile can mean a lot, especially to those who are feeling low or empty.
We should be more gentle with ourselves.
We should treat ourselves with the same level of gentleness and kindness that we expect from others.
Like the friend who gently builds us up when we're down.
Friends who show kindness, empathy, and support in tough times are the ones who help us rise above our challenges.
Like a gentle kiss can turn our world all around.
Small gestures of love and affection, like a gentle kiss, can bring about a profound change in our outlook towards life.
We've been hurt by others often, we've forgiven and forgotten.
Despite being hurt by others, we have the capacity to forgive and move on for a more peaceful existence.
We should as gentle with ourselves.
Being gentle towards ourselves is an act of compassion that allows us to heal, grow, and flourish.
Life can be hard but we need not be
So hard on ourselves if we will see.
Life can be challenging, but we should not be too hard on ourselves as long as we have the awareness and presence to learn from our experiences.
Like the Shepherd leads His flock with gentle commands.
The image of a shepherd leading his sheep through gentle instructions conjures up a sense of guidance, protection, and care.
With His gentle voice that only hearts understand.
The gentle voice of the Shepherd, which can only be understood by the heart, symbolizes the love and tenderness of God.
One thing we can know for certain, He has born the awful burdens
So, we can be gentle with ourselves.
The certainty that God has borne our heaviest burdens fills us with hope, gratitude, and self-compassion.
One thing that I know for certain, He will bear my every burden.
So I can be gentle with myself.
The knowledge that God is always there to help us through tough times allows us to be gentle towards ourselves, even in our darkest moments.
Contributed by Liam A. 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