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
Will We Forget?
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
May be opening tonight.
A soul that's been lost might
Believe it′s been found.
But six months from now,
On a warm summer night,
Will we pause to remember
This night in December
This spirit all year round?
Will we forget the promise
We resolutely made?
Will we forget to thank the Lord
For all the gifts He gave?
We'll say it′s human nature,
But something seems amiss
When there is just one time of year
Reserved for nights like this.
And six months from now,
On a warm summer night,
Will any part of us remember
This night in December
When we promised ourselves we′d keep
This spirit all year round?
Will we forget these feelings?
Will we forget to sing?
Will we forget the Christ child came
To give us everything?
We'll have a hundred reasons
Why we have set aside
These memories of this season
When His spirit touched our lives.
But He who came to save us
For all eternity
Has not forgotten those who need
His mercy to be free.
And though that number′s greater
Than the sands upon the sea,
There is no time of year that He's
Forgotten you or me.
He has not forgotten us
On any lonely night.
And He has not forgotten
That our joy requires His light.
He has not forgotten those
Who are homeless as was He
And He has not forgotten you,
He′s not forgotten me.
The song "Will We Forget?" by Michael McLean talks about the tendency of humans to forget the good things that happen in their lives. The song touches on the idea of making promises and resolutions that are only upheld for a short while. The lyrics in the first verse set the stage of possibility: a heart that has been closed might become open and a soul that was lost might be found. The singer then challenges the listener to reflect on whether they will remember this moment six months from now when the spirit of the season had inspired them to promise to keep the newfound spirit all year round.
The second verse suggests that it may indeed be human nature to forget promises, resolutions and the things that inspire us. However, the singer sets the bar higher and questions whether it is right that only one time of year is reserved for such feelings--that, perhaps, something seems amiss with that idea. Throughout the song, the chorus poses a question, will we forget? And the verses present the fears, concerns and hopes. The final verse reminds the listener that while they may forget, God has not forgotten them. Despite the number of people in the world who need His mercy, God has not forgotten anyone, homeless or not.
Line by Line Meaning
A heart that's been closed
May be opening tonight.
There's hope for those who have had their guard up in the past - maybe tonight they will become more open.
A soul that's been lost might
Believe it's been found.
Sometimes when someone feels like they've been wandering aimlessly, something happens to make them feel like they're on the right path.
But six months from now,
On a warm summer night,
Will we pause to remember
This night in December
When we promised ourselves we'd keep
This spirit all year round?
During a warm summer night, will we look back and recall the promise we made to carry the holiday spirit through the year?
Will we forget the promise
We resolutely made?
Is it possible that we might forget the pledge we made, despite our strong conviction at the time?
Will we forget to thank the Lord
For all the gifts He gave?
In the future, might we overlook the blessings bestowed upon us by giving thanks to God?
We'll say it's human nature,
But something seems amiss
When there is just one time of year
Reserved for nights like this.
It may be common for humans to forget their resolutions, but it feels wrong when a particular day is the only time to hold such a special event.
Will we forget these feelings?
Will we forget to sing?
Will we forget the Christ child came
To give us everything?
Will we lose the emotions we're experiencing now, the music of the season, and the realization of all Christ gave us?
We'll have a hundred reasons
Why we have set aside
These memories of this season
When His spirit touched our lives.
There may be many excuses we use to explain why we don't carry the season's spirit within us all year long, despite the fact that it touched us deeply.
But He who came to save us
For all eternity
Has not forgotten those who need
His mercy to be free.
Despite what we do, God never forgets those who need him - it's the reason he sent his son.
And though that number's greater
Than the sands upon the sea,
There is no time of year that He's
Forgotten you or me.
There are countless people who need God's mercy, but God never forgets about any one of us.
He has not forgotten us
On any lonely night.
God is never absent, especially during our most troubling, solitary times.
And He has not forgotten
That our joy requires His light.
Our happiness is reliant on God's guidance.
He has not forgotten those
Who are homeless as was He
And He has not forgotten you,
He's not forgotten me.
God remembers the impoverished, just as he sympathized with their plight while he walked amongst us.
Contributed by Sebastian K. 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