Hailing from Lovejoy, GA, Michael began his musical education while singing in the church choir. However, Michael's greatest childhood aspiration was to be an Olympic athlete. He was well on his way, running track at Georgia Tech, until an injury sidelined his career and caused him to question what he wanted out of life.
It was a regular night out, and a small concert that initiated Michael’s musical career drive. From his seat at the bar, he witnessed the pure and raw enjoyment one could experience from performing, and the effect of sharing music with an audience. From that moment, he immersed himself into everything music and began performing on street corners, in coffee shops, at the federal penitentiary, in bars, and he eventually traveled in his van all over the country, making friends and fans along the way.
In 2001, a former band mate and then producer reached out to help Michael produce a raw demo. Together they went to Pop Rox production in New York with the raw demo, and a partnership was immediately formed. Pop Rox, under the guidance of hit producer Sam Hollander, signed Michael to a production deal and produced his first real demo. The demo was brought to several labels, and in 2002, Michael signed to Octone Records (now A&M/Octone).
His debut album, I AM, is an inspired collection of songs and melodies that muse on life, love and social consciousness. "When I went out, it was me, my van, and my guitar. It was a reflective time in my life, wandering across the country in solitude, seeking mind-opening experiences. At times it was very humbling, and at other times it was very empowering." This solitary creative pilgrimage ultimately became a time of self-discovery, inspiring many of the songs for the album.
Michael saw modest success from I AM that continued to grow in a snowball effect. He has toured with Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5, Gavin DeGraw, Collective Soul, G Love and the Special Sauce, Blues Traveler, Howie Day, Everclear, and more. Songs from the album were featured throughout hit movies and television shows including One Tree Hill, The Sopranos, and Scrubs.
His prolific placements led to an ongoing partnership with Hilton Hotels Corp through their singer / songwriter music initiatives that helped launch the career of James Blunt. Hilton’s success with Michael led to his ultimate goal – The Olympic Dream. Hilton licensed Michael's song, "Speed Feels Better" as the anthem for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The song was featured throughout the Olympics and Hilton even brought him over to Beijing during the Olympics for an exclusive concert performance at the Great Wall of China.
The momentum from the Olympics placed “Speed Feels Better” in a unique position to be a breakout single. Athletes lined up to appear in the Nigel Dick directed music video which features marquee athletes including: Olympic medalist in swimming, Amanda Beard; tennis player, Andy Roddick; Hall of Fame NFL player, Barry Sanders; World Figure Skating Champion, Kimmie Meissner; and MLB All Star, Rick Ankiel.
Michael is currently touring while wrapping up in the studio with a star studded cast of major producers.
I am
Michael Tolcher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What'ya doin'
Not nothin'
I'm workin' on a theory
Puttin' words to my thoughts
Hope you hear me
Give a minute
And if it hurts
I can make it work
I know I'm qualified
One of these days
I'll catch up to my predictions
One of these days
I'll be more than just man
One of these days
I'll be stronger than addictions
I am, really
Sometimes
I am
You said somethin' so good it's worth the wait
Well I said it better be tonight
â??Cause tomorrow's too late
I think about the night we could have
The things we could do
Forget about the love that's lost
It's old, but this one's new
One of these days
I'll catch up to my predictions
One of these days
I'll be more than just man
One of these days
I'll be stronger than addictions
I am, really
Sometimes
I am, really
Sometimes
I am
There's a side of me
Well I am
That I want you to see
I am
Really sometimes
I am
I promise I am
What'ya doin'
Just this
Workin' on a theory
I'm puttin' love in my words
Now can you hear me?
Give it a minute
Let it come inside
And if it hurts
We can make it work
I know we're qualified
One of these days
I'll catch up to my predictions
One of these days
I'll be more than just man
One of these days
I'll be stronger than addictions
I am, really
Sometimes
I am, really
Sometimes
I am
Really sometimes
I am
I am
I promise I am
I promise I am
The lyrics to Michael Tolcher's "I Am" depict a person who is introspective and reflective. The singer is articulating his thoughts and theories about himself and his potential. He wonders if his message is being heard and hopes that people can understand him. He acknowledges that there may be pain along the way, but he is ready to work through it.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more confident and self-assured. He declares that he will live up to his own expectations and become more than just a man. He will overcome his addictions and become stronger than ever before.
What's interesting about this song is that it is ultimately a song of hope and promise, despite the struggles that the singer faces. It encourages listeners to believe in themselves and their own abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
What'ya doin'
What are you doing? Asking what the other person is occupied with.
Not nothin'
Just a casual response to the question. Means that they're not idle and are actually involved in something.
I'm workin' on a theory
Engaged in conceiving some hypotheses or a framework related to something.
Puttin' words to my thoughts
Attempting to articulate the ideas that are present in their mind.
Hope you hear me
Desiring that the other person listens and understands what they have to say.
Give a minute
Asking for some time to convey their message.
Let it come inside
Asking the listener to absorb their message well.
And if it hurts
In case it sounds unpleasant or problematic for them.
I can make it work
Ensuring that they're skilled enough to handle the complications, if any.
I know I'm qualified
Confident about their capabilities to deal with such issues.
One of these days
In the near future, at some point.
I'll catch up to my predictions
Will come to realize what they've already foreseen.
I'll be more than just man
Will exceed the limitations of being just a human being.
I'll be stronger than addictions
Will triumph over any kind of addiction they're struggling with.
I am, really
Asserting their identity and their real existence.
Sometimes
Occasionally or at certain times.
You said somethin' so good it's worth the wait
Referring to something that the other person said and implying that it's worth waiting for them to hear more.
Well I said it better be tonight
Expressing that they hope to hear more of the other person's words sooner than later.
Cause tomorrow's too late
Implying that it's urgent for them to hear what the other person has to say, and they don't want to wait any longer.
I think about the night we could have
Reflecting on a possible future moment or experience involving the other person.
The things we could do
The activities or events that they would undertake together at that moment.
Forget about the love that's lost
Asking them to put the past where it belongs and move on.
It's old, but this one's new
Referring to past love as ancient or old, and to their current or potential love as something new.
There's a side of me
Implying that the other person has not seen their complete or whole side/personality.
That I want you to see
Asking the other person to look at the other, hidden side of them.
Really sometimes
Again asserting that they're real and that it only happens to them occasionally.
I promise I am
Making a pledge to the other person that everything they've said is true about them.
Just this
Answering the same question from before, highlighting that they're still concentrating on the same task.
I'm puttin' love in my words
Selecting the right words to express their love and care for the other person.
We can make it work
Making the same assurance to the other person that they can overcome any hurdle together.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: MICHAEL FRANCIS TOLCHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind