Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s. Together they formed the band dc Talk and released 5 acclaimed studio albums. In 2000, the band decided to take a break with the release of Intermission: the Greatest Hits while all three members devoted themselves to solo projects.
After dc Talk's hiatus was announced, Tait dedicated more time to his band Tait (which he named after his father, Nathel). Tait had partially formed this band around 1997. One of the original members was guitarist Pete Stewart (from the hard rock band Grammatrain), who is featured on the first album, but absent from the second one due to his departing the band to work on his own solo projects.
Empty
Michael Tait Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I win the fame
Will I be the man
I dreamed of And if
I woo the crowd
And their screams are loud
Is it really me that they love
What does it profit
If I gain the whole world
And lose my own soul
What would be said of me
Oh my vanity, vanities
Chasin' the wind
I'm feelin' empty again, yeah
I'm feelin' empty again
If I gain the whole world
And lose my own soul
What would be said of me
Or my vanity vanities
Chasin' the wind
And I'm feelin' empty again
If I gain the whole world
And lose my own soul, ooh
What would be said
Tell me what would be said
Or my vanity, vanities
Chasin' the wind
I'm feelin' empty again, yeah
I'm feelin' empty again, yeah yeah
Jesus come fill me again
In Michael Tait's song "Empty," the singer is questioning the value of worldly success and recognition. He asks himself whether winning fame and wooing the crowd will make him the man he always dreamed of being. He wonders whether people really love him for who he is or just for the persona he presents. The singer recognizes that it is ultimately pointless to gain the whole world and lose his own soul. He realizes that chasing after worldly success is like chasing the wind—fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. He feels empty again and longs for Jesus to come fill him once more.
The lyrics of "Empty" speak to the universal human experience of searching for meaning and purpose. The singer grapples with questions about his identity, worth, and the legacy he will leave behind. He recognizes that worldly success and recognition can only provide temporary satisfaction and that true fulfillment ultimately comes from a deeper connection with something greater than oneself.
The song's refrain of "vanity, vanities chasin' the wind" echoes the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, which also explores the meaninglessness of worldly pursuits. The singer's plea for Jesus to fill him again reflects a longing for spiritual renewal and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
If I play the game
If I engage in the competition
And I win the fame
And I achieve popularity
Will I be the man I dreamed of
Will I become the person I envisioned
And if I woo the crowd
And if I attract the audience
And their screams are loud
And their cheers are boisterous
Is it really me that they love
Do they truly love who I am
What does it profit
What value does it hold
What does it profit me
What benefit does it bring me
If I gain the whole world
If I obtain all worldly possessions
And lose my own soul
And forfeit my spiritual life
What would be said of me
What would be the perception of me
Oh my vanity, vanities
Oh my meaningless pursuits
Chasin' the wind
Pursuing something unattainable
I'm feelin' empty again, yeah
I'm experiencing a sense of numbness
I'm feelin' empty again
I'm feeling a familiar emptiness
If I gain the whole world
If I acquire all material possessions
And lose my own soul
And sacrifice my inner being
What would be said of me
What would be the characterization of me
Or my vanity vanities
Or my pointless endeavors
And I'm feelin' empty again
And I'm once again feeling unfulfilled
If I gain the whole world
If I attain all worldly pleasures
And lose my own soul, ooh
And give up my morality
What would be said
What would be the judgment
Tell me what would be said
Inform me of what the verdict would be
Or my vanity, vanities
Or my foolish desires
Chasin' the wind
Pursuing something intangible
I'm feelin' empty again, yeah
I'm sensing a void within
I'm feelin' empty again, yeah yeah
I'm experiencing emptiness yet again
Jesus come fill me again
I implore Jesus to restore my being
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JASON ROY, JASON DAVID ROY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kim K.
on Alibi
And his lyrics are the higher you go, the harder you fall, Luke 10:18 -I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Jesus told them: I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. Also 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars- Isaiah 14:12.
Kim K.
on Alibi
Also, Tait say's the higher you go the harder you fall, -Luke 10:18- I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. CEV. Jesus told them: I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.
Kim K.
on Alibi
and The Prince of the Power of the Air disguises himself, (Parades as an Angel of Light, & in the garden as an serpent, that is why Tait, says he can see through his disguise.
Kim K.
on Alibi
I believe he is speaking about The Prince of the Power of the air, who gives propositions through deception, but from experience, he knows it is lies.