The ascension of TobyMac’s solo career has been nothing short of spectacular. In an era of declining music sales he has consistently defied the odds and has seen his sales increase with each new album release. This is no small feat. With his fourth studio album TONIGHT released on Feb. 9, he is poised to take things higher yet again.
Having climbed the mountain once with the group dcTalk (4 Grammys, more than 8 million albums sold), TobyMac knows how difficult the journey can be and how much work the process actually takes. Rarely does an artist get to soar to great heights for a second time, but soar he has. He took home his first Grammy as a solo artist last year after receiving Grammy nominations for each of his first four solo projects (Momentum, Welcome To Diverse City, Portable Sounds, Tonight). And last year TobyMac topped 2 million in total albums sold during his solo career. TobyMac has also remixed the Welcome to Diverse City album and Momentum, calling the new albums Renovating Diverse City and Re:Mix Momentum, respectively. He has done it with a combination of talent, hard work and humility which has produced songs that resonate with people from all walks of life .
Upon embarking on his solo career, Toby sought to surround himself with a talented and diverse cast of characters, aptly named the Diverse City Band. The result has been a musical fusion that radiates with an unquenchable energy and a penetrating message.
A self-professed perfectionist when making records—he’s been known to relentlessly tweak and massage every little thing in an inexorable effort to make it sound better—Toby is the first to admit that he has to work really hard to make great music. “That’s what drives me,” he says. “I feel like I have to work harder than other people to get there. Sometimes I feel like I’m slightly under-gifted; I usually don't sit down and write a great song in just a few minutes like others can. But I think my work ethic makes up for that.”
Starting with dcTalk, and then going solo when the group disbanded in 2000, Toby still clings to such rootsy notions as hard work, persistence, patience and—perhaps most relevant of all—the power of music, which he insists is still what keeps him going.
“It’s the truth,” he says. “I still believe that a song can penetrate a heart. I believe God can use a song to open someone’s mind and heart. Other songs can just drop what I call, 'the joy bomb' on somebody. I fight really hard to remain unjaundiced—to keep believing that you can actually walk into a studio and write a song that breathes life. That’s the hardest fight for a guy who’s been doing this for a while; it’s easy to fall into the trap of just making it your job. But I still believe that songs matter.”
The songs on TONIGHT certainly matter—everything from the prayerful first single “City On Our Knees” to the testimonial “Changed Forever,” from the worshipful “Captured” to the confessional “Start Somewhere,” and even down to the put-on-your-party-hat grooves of “Funky Jesus Music” and “ShowStopper.” One theme that runs loud and clear throughout is the idea that we all need God, and we need him now—this morning, this afternoon, tonight.
“Right here, right now / Under the stars / I promise You my heart / ’Cause it starts tonight,” Toby sings on the chorus of the title track. “If you gotta start somewhere why not here? If you gotta start sometime why not now?” he asks on “City on Our Knees.” And “I wanna straighten this before the sun goes down tonight,” he proclaims on “Start Somewhere.”
“There’s definitely a sense of urgency on this record,” says co-producer Chris Stephens, who has worked on TobyMac’s last three CDs. “And it’s an album that speaks of unity, of coming together and finding common ground to worship God.”
Toby has long had a passion for racial reconciliation and unity, a recurrent theme in his music. TONIGHT includes songs of reconciliation of another kind—between husband and wife. Toby and Amanda have been happily married for 15 years, but like all couples, it can be hard work sometimes. For Toby, who best expresses his emotions through music, it was a natural step to write about it. In “Hold On,” he sings, “If you move just a little bit closer / You can put your head on my shoulder . . . / Wipe away those tears / This one’s for you.” And on “Start Somewhere,” he’s downright confessional: “I said some things that I regret / And if I could, I’d take ’em back / But here I am, and there you are / The space between us is not so far / I’m reaching out my hand in love.”
“‘Hold On’ is very personal,” Toby says. “Many lines are there to encourage my wife, but I know those lines could encourage anybody in a relationship. As for ‘Start Somewhere,’ any time you’re in love with somebody, you’re going to bang heads from time to time. I don’t know how many times I’ve been lying in bed, sweating it out and thinking, How am I going to make this right? But then you reach that moment of apology and forgiveness. That’s one of my favorite songs on the record; it’s a personal perspective on confrontation and reconciliation.”
And then there’s “Wonderin’,” in which Toby reminisces about the past with Kevin Max and Michael Tait in dcTalk, one of Christian music’s biggest acts in the 1990s. “We was ridin’ in style, clockin’ them miles / With the songs that He put down deep in our hearts . . . / I’m wonderin’ ’bout the way I spend my days / Wonderin’ if it’s even worth the chase / Wonderin’ if they’re stealin’ me from you.”
“It’s just a warm look back at dc Talk,” says Toby, almost wistfully. “It’s reminiscing about Michael and Kevin and what we did together, and recognizing their influence on me. I love what I do today, but there are times when I wonder,What if we stayed together? I’ve got these dreams I’m pursuing now, but are they stealing me from you? I think about Kevin and Michael on every song I write. That's the truth man, we climbed a mountain together.”
Sonically, TONIGHT is typical TobyMac in many ways—an eclectic mix of rap, rock, pop and funk, all laden with catchy hooks and melodies just itching for airplay and audience singalongs. There’s even a healthy dose of reggae on the album closer “Break Open the Sky,” where Toby flexes his Jamaican family ties while Israel Houghton provides guest vocals. Other visiting vocalists include Skillet’s John Cooper on “Tonight” and Relient K’s Matthew Thiessen on “Wonderin’.”
Of course most of the vocals belong to the artist himself. Stephens says Toby “has stretched himself as a vocalist, he writes about things he is passionate about and his vocals reflect that urgency''. Toby agrees: “I do more singing on this record than ever before. I’m learning to use my vocal instrument in different ways, and I’m getting more comfortable with it everyday''.
It all adds up to a project that reflects one man’s desire to push himself beyond “very good,” to dig deep in the quest for that other country where greatness resides. He certainly reached for it. Hard.
“I’ve worked very hard not to fall into the trap of making this just a gig,” he says. “If it is a labor, it’s a labor of love. I know music can’t change the world, but who says God can't speak through a song."
Right here, right now. TONIGHT.
TobyMac is usually styled tobyMac or TOBYMAC
Backseat Driver
TobyMac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Revertin' back to my old ways
Them got to be in control days jump before I pray yo, I'm headed out the doorway
But I want your way, yahweh
From dirt roads to highways
You're showin' me a beautiful view from this backseat
But there's lots of room and I never would have seen it if I wasn't rolling with you
I don't wanna navigate, (don't wanna, uh), won't you take it over (take it over)
I don't wanna ever doubt you, I'm lost without you lord
I don't wanna be no backseat, (don't wanna be) no backseat driver
You got the wheel, take me where you wanna go
My heart is your's, no matter where we roll
Been backseat my whole life now I turned sixteen so it's time to drive
Buckle up, tru behind the wheel
Got my Iphone bumping like (dom da dom)
GPS locked and the map was set
Thought I had it all right till the road went left
Spinning outta control in this coupe de ville
Now I'm sittin' shotgun, Jesus take the wheel
I don't wanna be no backseat, (don't wanna be) no backseat driver
I don't wanna navigate, (don't wanna, uh), won't you take it over (take it over)
I don't wanna ever doubt you, I'm lost without you lord
I don't wanna be no backseat, (don't wanna be) no backseat driver
No backseat driver, yeah
No backseat driver
I'm putting my trust in you, putting my trust in you
It's a little bit overdue, but I'm putting my trust in you
I'm putting my trust in you, putting my trust in you
It's a little bit overdue, but I'm putting my trust in you
I'm putting my trust in you, putting my trust in you
It's a little bit overdue, but I'm putting my trust in you
It's a whole new journey, a brand new path
And I'mma fix my eyes so I won't look back
Tame this beating heart in my chest
'Cause everything in my wants to jump ahead
So light it up, up don't let it fade
Light it up, up show me the way
Light it up lord, just like you do
No second guessin', I'mma move with you
I don't wanna be no backseat, (don't wanna be no) no backseat driver
I don't wanna navigate, (don't wanna, uh), won't you take it over (take it over)
I don't wanna ever doubt you, I'm lost without you
I don't wanna be no backseat, (don't wanna be) no backseat driver
I don't wanna be no (don't wanna be no) no backseat driver
I don't wanna be no (uh) won't you take it over
I don't wanna ever doubt you, I'm lost without you lord
I don't wanna be no backseat, (don't wanna be) no backseat driver
TobyMac's "Backseat Driver" is a song that addresses the issue of control and surrender in the Christian faith. The lyrics follow the singer's journey from wanting to be in control of their life to choosing to surrender control to God. The singer recalls their past behavior of wanting to be in control, but now they realize that they were living life in a self-centered, prideful way. They recognize that there is beauty in surrendering and letting God take the wheel. The song's metaphor of being in the backseat suggests a passive approach, while allowing God to take control of one's life becomes an active, intentional commitment. The singer affirms that they do not want to be a "backseat driver," navigating or doubting God's plan, but rather fully trust and rely on God's guidance.
Throughout the song, the singer acknowledges their doubts and fears, but ultimately chooses to trust God. The bridge emphasizes the idea of embarking on a new journey with God, without looking back or second-guessing. The repetition of "light it up" suggests that following God's way is a path filled with light and guidance. The song's overall message is one of encouragement for Christians to let go of control and put their trust in God.
Line by Line Meaning
Silly me, silly me, aye
I keep reverting back to my old ways of wanting to be in control, even though I know better now.
Revertin' back to my old ways
I have a habit of wanting to be in control and jumping into things before praying or seeking guidance.
Them got to be in control days jump before I pray yo, I'm headed out the doorway
I used to always want to be in control, but now I realize that it's better to pray and seek guidance before making any moves.
But I want your way, yahweh
I realize now that God's way is the best way, and I want to follow that instead of trying to be in control.
From dirt roads to highways
Throughout my life journey, from humble beginnings to greater opportunities, I have seen different paths and options.
You're showin' me a beautiful view from this backseat
By submitting to God's will and allowing Him to be in control, I am seeing a beautiful view of life that I never would have seen on my own.
But there's lots of room and I never would have seen it if I wasn't rolling with you
If I had continued to be in control, I would have missed out on all the opportunities and experiences that God has shown me by submitting to Him.
Been backseat my whole life now I turned sixteen so it's time to drive
I have always been in the backseat of life, but now that I am maturing and growing, I feel ready to take control.
Buckle up, tru behind the wheel
I thought I was ready to take control, but now I realize that it is better to let God be in control because He is the ultimate truth.
Thought I had it all right till the road went left
I thought I had everything under control until life threw me a curveball and things didn't go as planned.
Spinning outta control in this coupe de ville
My life felt like it was spiraling out of control and I didn't know what to do.
Now I'm sittin' shotgun, Jesus take the wheel
I am now giving up control and allowing Jesus to take over and guide me in the right direction.
No backseat driver
I no longer want to be in control but am willing to let God lead me.
I'm putting my trust in you, putting my trust in you
I am choosing to put my trust in God and let Him guide me.
It's a whole new journey, a brand new path
By giving up control and letting God lead me, I am embarking on a new journey in life that I have never been on before.
And I'mma fix my eyes so I won't look back
I am determined to keep moving forward and not dwell on the past or want to go back to being in control.
'Cause everything in my wants to jump ahead
Even though I am letting God lead the way, I still have the desire to want to move ahead quickly without waiting for His guidance.
Light it up, up don't let it fade
I want to keep the flame of my faith burning brightly and not let it fade away.
Light it up, up show me the way
I am asking God to continue to guide me and show me the right way to go.
No second guessin', I'mma move with you
I am committed to following God's lead without any doubts or reservations.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bryan Fowler, Chris Stevens, Holly Miller, Toby McKeehan, Rusty Varenkamp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kadriendietz6886
I was an atheist but then as I was going through extremely hard times I found God in Christian music and since then I believe once again 🙏📿🙏
@jayyagami
He's a great driver right?
@fastandeasylogistics6802
Woulwiÿsd taa@@jayyagami iyi to we
@fastandeasylogistics6802
I don’t want ti
@fastandeasylogistics6802
I don’t want to navigate the way
@NedilRobek
Jesus loves u ♥️
@yasminstone8965
Im an atheist but I recently made my first Christian friend and she is always listening to Christian music and I gotta say im absolutely loving it. I never knew this was a thing.
@gregszymaszek6640
Once again, MUSIC breaks thru all barriers..... go GOD !
@clifffoss6664
Yasmin Stone
Loving the Lord makes the music come alive - changes your entire outlook!
@ethancarter1474
Yasmin Stone Good. But you need to ask her how to accept Jesus Christ in your heart!! It's the best decision of your life