The group is named for Michael Tait's late father, of whom he says "taught me how to appreciate the human experience whether it be a sunny day, a beautiful lawn, or amazing trees set before an amazing mountain. He taught me how to love and embrace mankind, whether it be a Chinese girl hanging out with a black guy whose mom is a white lady." As for the band's mission, Michael Tait says, "...ultimately I hope and pray [people] see the Gospel... People look for so many other ways to fill the emptiness in their lives, and there's just no way to do it besides Christ."
Musically, the band blends the styles of modern rock, pop, funk, soul, and R&B. Michael Tait describes the group as "guitar-toting, drum-slinging rockers." Preceding the release of their 2001 debut album, Empty, Tait performed selections from the project all over the world, including Amsterdam.
Tell Me Why
Tait Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She told me Daddy walked away
Now everything's about to change
I sought for words, I could not find
A thousand questions filled my mind
How could you throw it all away
My heart is left without a home
But I won't let it turn to stone
Cause I can't take this pain
[Chorus]
Tell me why, tell me why
Why do people run away
Can we try, try to find
Try to find the will to stay
A beating heart, a tender kiss
Love is so much more than this
Always givin' in and never giving up
I know the man I want to be
I've seen enough of misery
It's time for me to break free, yeah
Doubt may whisper in my ear
But I will love in spite of fear
With everything inside of me
(Tell me) Is it just a dream
[Chorus]
I'm finally finding my way back to love
My way back to love again
I'm finally finding my way back to love
My way back to love again
Doubt may whisper in my ear
That I will love in spite of fear
With everything inside of me
Oh does anyone believe
[Chorus]
Cause every time you run
Every time you run away
Can we try, try try try try
You don't have to run
You don't have to run away
The song "Tell Me Why" by Tait is about the painful experience of a daughter whose father walks out on her family. The lyrics convey the confusion, frustration, and sadness of the singer as she grapples with the feeling of abandonment and betrayal. The opening lines of the song reveal that the daughter has just learned that her father has left, and she is struggling to come to terms with this abrupt change that has disrupted her life. She is seeking answers and understanding, but finds it hard to express her emotions, as a thousand questions fill her mind.
The chorus of the song expresses the daughter's longing for a stable and loving family life, as she questions why people choose to run away instead of working through their problems. She admits that love is challenging, but believes it is worth fighting for. The repetition of the phrase "tell me why" suggests that the singer is frustrated with her situation and is seeking some form of closure.
The bridge of the song is an affirmation of the singer's resilience as she declares her determination not to let her heart turn to stone. She resolves to find another way to deal with her pain and not give up on love. The song ends with an appeal to anyone who may be feeling the urge to run away that they don't have to. By doing so, the singer hopes to inspire those who feel trapped in difficult situations to find the courage to stay and work through their issues.
Line by Line Meaning
I talked to Mother just today,
I recently had a conversation with my mother.
She told me Daddy walked away
My mother informed me that my father left our family.
Now everything's about to change
This event will cause significant changes in our lives.
I sought for words, I could not find
I was searching for the right words to express my feelings but I couldn't find them.
A thousand questions filled my mind
I had numerous questions that were circulating in my head.
How could you throw it all away
I am wondering why my father decided to leave us.
My heart is left without a home
I feel lost and empty inside.
But I won't let it turn to stone
I won't let this situation harden my heart.
There's got to be another way
I believe there is another solution.
'Cause I can't take this pain
I can no longer bear this emotional pain.
[Chorus]
The repetition of the chorus signifies the importance and relevance of the topic.
Tell me why, tell me why
I want to understand the reason behind people leaving.
Why do people run away
I want to know why individuals choose to leave instead of staying.
Can we try, try to find
Can we make an effort to find a solution?
Try to find the will to stay
Let us search for the ability to remain together.
A beating heart, a tender kiss
Love entails more than just physical actions.
Love is so much more than this
Love is deeper than just physical gestures.
Always givin' in and never giving up
Love requires dedication and persistence.
I know the man I want to be
I have a vision of the person I aspire to become.
I've seen enough of misery
I have experienced enough pain in my life.
It's time for me to break free, yeah
It is time for me to let go of the past and move forward.
Doubt may whisper in my ear
I may have my reservations, but...
But I will love in spite of fear
...but still, I will choose to love despite my fears.
With everything inside of me
I will put my all into this relationship.
(Tell me) Is it just a dream
I am questioning whether finding true love is impossible or not.
I'm finally finding my way back to love
I am rediscovering what love truly means to me.
My way back to love again
I am on the path to regaining my love again.
You don't have to run
There is always another option besides leaving.
You don't have to run away
You do not have to flee from a relationship each time it gets hard.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: MICHAEL CHAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind