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.
Ride
Michael Tolcher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the one
You found it right away
You found it right away
[Chorus]
It's a taxi ride kinda night in the city
Mr. driver man can you get me there
And if you make it quick I'll pay you double fare
[Verse 1]
Standing on the other side of Avenue be
Waiting for the next ride across the city
Me and a 10 dollar bill
Make a solid plan
I've got to get inside in the pouring rain
I like to be above ground on a beautiful day
With a whistle and wail
I'll be waivin my hand
[Chorus]
It's a taxi ride kinda night in the city
Mr. driver man can you get me there
Where the vibe is right
And the people are pretty
And if you make it quick, I'll pay you double fare
[Verse 2]
Hmmm, let me think
Yeah, it's quite a walk to 15 Street
It's 5 Avenue blocks
Well, if I said I'd be there
I don't wanna be late
I don't wanna wanna wannna wanna be late
Skip the "Hi's"
"How are you?"
And the "where you from?"
'Cause tonight I'm in a hurry
And I got somewhere to be
I can't make 'em wait
That's not like me
[Chorus]
Well, it's a taxi ride kinda night in the city
Mr. driver man can you get me there
Well, it's a taxi ride kinda night in the city
And if you make it quick I'll pay ya double fare
I'll pay you double fare
The song "Taxi Ride Kinda Night" by Michael Tolcher perfectly captures the feeling of being in a rush, needing to get somewhere, and the only way to do it is to jump into a taxi. The repetitive use of the phrase "it's a taxi ride kinda night" emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the importance of getting to the destination. The chorus is straightforward, asking the driver to get the singer to the desired location quickly, offering to pay double the fare if they do. The lyrics also touch on the idea of not wanting to be late since the singer gave their word to be there, showcasing their commitment to whatever they are headed to regardless of the weather or time.
In verse one, the singer describes waiting across the city for the taxi to arrive. They hold a ten-dollar bill, implying that the cost of the ride may be more than they have on them. The lyrics "I've got to get inside in the pouring rain" emphasize the urgency of needing to arrive at the destination. On beautiful days, the singer prefers walking above ground, enjoying the weather. However, tonight they can't afford to enjoy the rain and need to get there as soon as possible.
In verse two, the singer is contemplating the idea that if they choose to walk, it would take quite some time to get there. They are running late, and they can't keep whoever they are meeting waiting. Despite the singer usually being friendly and chatty, tonight they need to be expedient and get to the destination quickly. They reiterate the chorus, offering to pay double the fare if the driver can arrive promptly.
Overall, "Taxi Ride Kinda Night" is a song about urgency and the necessity to get to the destination quickly. It highlights the importance of keeping our word and reliability in times when people may depend on us. The song expresses the idea that sometimes we need to be swift and ruthless to get where we need to be.
Line by Line Meaning
That's the one
Referring to finding the right taxi to take him where he needs to go
You found it right away
Acknowledging the quick discovery of the right taxi
It's a taxi ride kinda night in the city
Expressing that the circumstances of the night call for taking a taxi
Mr. driver man can you get me there
Asking the driver to take him to his destination
And if you make it quick I'll pay you double fare
Offering extra payment if the driver can get him to his destination faster
Standing on the other side of Avenue be
Describing the location where the singer is waiting for the taxi
Waiting for the next ride across the city
Waiting for the next available taxi to take him where he needs to go
Me and a 10 dollar bill make a solid plan
Having enough money for the taxi fare to his destination
I've got to get inside in the pouring rain
Needing to get out of the rain and into his destination quickly
I like to be above ground on a beautiful day
Preferring to walk and enjoy nice weather rather than take a taxi
With a whistle and wail I'll be waivin my hand
Trying to flag down a taxi driver with a distinctive whistle and hand motion
Where the vibe is right and the people are pretty
Describing the type of atmosphere the singer wants to be in upon arrival to his destination
Hmmm, let me think
Pausing to consider the distance he needs to travel and the urgency of the situation
Yeah, it's quite a walk to 15 Street
Realizing that walking to his destination would take too long
It's 5 Avenue blocks
Specifically stating the distance he would need to walk
Well, if I said I'd be there I don't wanna be late
Recognizing the importance of being on time for his commitment
Skip the 'Hi's' 'How are you?' And the 'where you from?'
Not interested in making small talk with the taxi driver
'Cause tonight I'm in a hurry
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation
And I got somewhere to be
Stating the priority of arriving at his destination quickly
I can't make 'em wait
Feeling responsible for not keeping others waiting for him
That's not like me
Accepting that he is usually punctual and reliable
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: MICHAEL FRANCIS TOLCHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind