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
Let It Go
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was time to let it go
Though its mended wing had made it sing
He said the bird I cared for wasn't really mine
Let it go
"Letting go" he said, "seems to break your heart
"Though it will heal it feels slow to start"
He held me tight so I could l Let it go
Years have passed since then
And so has he but I still hear his words "Let it Go...
"There's so much of life that can't be lived
If you're holding on to hate and anger deep inside
Let it go"
Letting go opens up the heart
There is a new day hungry to start
You can't change what has hurt you so
But you will heal if you'll just Let it go
All that's wrong in your life Let it go
All that is worth saving is love
Love will hold you tight Love lifts the burden
And love shines the light Only love nourishes us so
If it's not love Simply... Let it go
The song "Let It Go" by Michael McLean is a powerful expression of the concept of forgiveness and the importance of letting go of grudges and resentments. The lyrics describe a moment in which the singer's father tells him to let go of a bird he has been caring for, explaining that it is not really his to keep. The message is clear: sometimes we have to give up things that we love in order to move forward and find peace.
The words "Letting go" and "Let it go" are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the central theme of forgiveness and release. The singer's father acknowledges that letting go is difficult and painful, but necessary for healing to begin. He conveys the idea that holding onto anger and bitterness only hurts oneself and prevents growth and progress.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of love as the only thing worth holding onto. The message is that love lifts us up, nourishes us, and helps us to overcome the pain and difficulties of life. The song's message is a call to let go of negativity and embrace love and forgiveness in every aspect of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I can still recall the hour my father told me
I have a vivid memory of the moment when my father advised me
It was time to let it go
He suggested that I should release the thing I was holding on to
Though its mended wing had made it sing
Although the bird's healed wing had allowed it to chirp
He said the bird I cared for wasn't really mine
He made me realize that the bird I was nurturing didn't belong to me
Let it go
So, he commanded me to relinquish it
"Letting go" he said, "seems to break your heart
Dad explained how "letting go" may seem painful
"Though it will heal it feels slow to start"
But he also reassured me that healing would eventually occur, even if it initially felt like it wouldn't
Though the pain burned within me so
Even though I was feeling intense agony
He held me tight so I could let it go
My father comforted me with a tight hug, so I could release the pain and move on
Years have passed since then
A significant amount of time has elapsed since that incident
And so has he but I still hear his words "Let it Go...
Although my father has passed away, I can still remember his advice as if he was saying it to me right now
"There's so much of life that can't be lived
That's because some experiences are impossible to enjoy when you carry the burden of resentment and anger in your heart
If you're holding on to hate and anger deep inside
Therefore, if you're clinging onto negative emotions inside yourself
Let it go"
You need to release them to begin enjoying life
Letting go opens up the heart
Releasing your negative emotions assists in opening your heart
There is a new day hungry to start
Then, you can start a new day, eager to move forward
You can't change what has hurt you so
You can't change certain traumatic events that have emotionally hurt you
But you will heal if you'll just let it go
However, you can surely recover by releasing those hurtful memories
All that's wrong in your life Let it go
By letting go of the negativity present in your life, you can get rid of all the wrongs
All that is worth saving is love
It's vital to save love as it's the only thing that truly makes life worth living
Love will hold you tight Love lifts the burden
When you have love, it gives you the strength and comfort to overcome life's struggles
And love shines the light Only love nourishes us so
Love provides us with enlightenment, and it's the only force that can nurture us
If it's not love Simply... Let it go
In case it's anything besides love, then it's instructing us to release it and move on
Writer(s): John P. Kee
Contributed by Layla W. 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