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
The Best Two Years
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wrangler makes the best blue jeans,
Everybody knows Oklahoma,
Makes the best football teams.
I believe that the Mormons, make the best pioneers.
So I′m going to the land of the tulips, where I'm gonna make the best two years.
The best two years, the best two years.
Testifying in my very best suit from Sears,
Going to the land of the tulips, where I am gonna make the best two years.
First I′m going to warn the little dutch boy,
Stuck his finger in the middle of the dike.
That a flood of love is coming,
And it's riding on a ten-speed bike.
Wheels spin faster than a windmill,
Cause I'm always in the highest gears.
All among the land of the tulips, I′ll be turning out my best two years.
The best two years, the best two years.
Yes, I′ll be testifying in my very best suit from Sears,
The best two years, the best two years.
Going to the land of the tulips, where I'm gonna make the best two years.
May not be a looker,
And I may not know that much,
But I will have a book or two,
Of Mormons wrote in Dutch.
And I may not be kissing the one,
Who′s gonna be my wife.
But my two lips will thank the Lord,
For the best two years, of my whole life.
Ringing lots of doorbells, I'll be talking in the street,
I′ll be preaching with the spirit, to every single person that I meet,
Sometimes I get frightened,
But that feeling disappears.
Here in the land of the tulips, I'll be knocking out my best two years...
Knocking out my best two years,
Knocking out my best two years.
The best two years, the best two years.
Yes, I′ll be testifying in my very best suit from Sears,
The best two years, the best two years.
Going to the land of the tulips, where I'm gonna make the best two years.
Turning out my best two years,
Knocking out my best two years!
The song "The Best Two Years" by Michael McLean is about a young man who is preparing to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in the Netherlands. The lyrics highlight his excitement and determination to share his faith and make a positive impact during his mission. The young man believes that the Mormons make the best pioneers and that he is going to the land of the tulips to make the best two years. He plans to warn the little dutch boy, who famously stuck his finger in a dike to prevent a flood, that a flood of love is coming and he will be spreading that love through his mission.
The song describes the young missionary's dedication and commitment to his faith, as he is not deterred by fear or uncertainty. He is determined to knock on every door, talk to every person, and share his faith with everyone he meets. The lyrics also portray the young man's confidence in his ability to make a difference and have a positive impact on the people he meets. The chorus, "the best two years, the best two years," emphasizes the importance and significance of his mission.
Overall, the song is a celebration of faith, dedication, and the power of love and kindness to make a difference in the world. It is a tribute to the thousands of young men and women who volunteer to serve two-year missions for the LDS Church.
Line by Line Meaning
Momma makes the best fried chicken,
My mother is an excellent cook who makes the best fried chicken.
Wrangler makes the best blue jeans,
Wrangler is a brand that makes the best blue jeans.
Everybody knows Oklahoma,
Oklahoma is well-known for having the best football teams.
Makes the best football teams.
The football teams in Oklahoma are the best.
I believe that the Mormons, make the best pioneers.
I believe that the Mormons are excellent pioneers.
So I'm going to the land of the tulips, where I'm gonna make the best two years.
I am going to the Netherlands where I plan to have the best two years of my life.
The best two years, the best two years.
These two years will be the best of my life.
Testifying in my very best suit from Sears,
I will be dressed in my very best suit from Sears when testifying.
Going to the land of the tulips, where I am gonna make the best two years.
I am going to the Netherlands to have the best two years of my life.
First I'm going to warn the little dutch boy,
I plan to warn a little Dutch boy.
Stuck his finger in the middle of the dike.
The little Dutch boy has his finger in a hole in the dike to prevent it from breaking.
That a flood of love is coming,
I am going to bring a flood of love.
And it's riding on a ten-speed bike.
I will be traveling on a ten-speed bike.
Wheels spin faster than a windmill,
The wheels of my bike spin much faster than a windmill.
Cause I'm always in the highest gears.
I always ride my bike in the highest gear.
All among the land of the tulips, I'll be turning out my best two years.
During my time in the Netherlands, I will be having an excellent two years.
May not be a looker,
I may not be attractive.
And I may not know that much,
I may not know a lot.
But I will have a book or two,
I will have a book or two with me.
Of Mormons wrote in Dutch.
The books I will have with me are written by Mormons in Dutch.
And I may not be kissing the one,
I may not have a significant other to kiss.
Who's gonna be my wife.
I have not yet found my future wife.
But my two lips will thank the Lord,
I will be grateful to the Lord.
For the best two years of my whole life.
These two years will be the best of my life.
Ringing lots of doorbells, I'll be talking in the street,
I am going to knock on a lot of doors and talk to people on the street.
I'll be preaching with the spirit, to every single person that I meet,
I will be preaching with a spiritual presence to everyone I meet.
Sometimes I get frightened,
Sometimes I get scared.
But that feeling disappears.
But that feeling goes away.
Here in the land of the tulips, I'll be knocking out my best two years...
I will be having the best two years of my life in the Netherlands.
Knocking out my best two years,
These two years will be spectacular.
Yes, I'll be testifying in my very best suit from Sears,
I will be giving my testimony wearing my best suit from Sears.
Turning out my best two years,
These two years will be the best of my life.
Writer(s): michael, scott mclean
Contributed by Alyssa Y. 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