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
Beyond Me
TobyMac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got some dreams that are bigger than me
I might be outmatched outsized the underdog in the fight of my life
Is it so crazy to believe
That you gave me the stars put them out of my reach
Call me to waters a little to deep
Oh I've never been so aware of my need
It's way beyond me
It's way beyond me
Yeah it's out of my league
It's way beyond me
It's way beyond me
It's way beyond
Anything that I got the strength to do
In over my head keeps me countin' on you
I'm leaving the sweet spot sure shot tradin' it all for the plans you got
Is it so crazy to believe
That you gave me the stars put them out of my reach
Call me to waters a little to deep
Oh I've never been so aware of my need
You keep on making me see
It's way beyond me
It's way beyond me
Yeah it's out of my league
It's way beyond me
It's way beyond me
You take me to the place where I know I need You
Straight to the depths that I can't handle on my own
And Lord I know, I know I need You
So take me to Your great
Take me to Your great unknown
It's way beyond me, way way beyond me
It's it's way beyond me, way way way beyond me
Yeah, You gave me the stars, put them out of my reach
Called me to waters just a little too deep
Oh, I've never been so aware of my need
Yeah, you keep on making me see
It's way beyond me (it's way beyond me)
It's way beyond me (it's way beyond me)
Yeah, it's out of my league (it's way beyond me)
It's way beyond me (it's way beyond me)
It's way beyond me (it's way beyond me)
It's way beyond me
You take me to the place where I know I need You
Straight to the depths that I can't handle on my own (it's way beyond me)
You take me to the place where I know I need You
Oh take me to Your place
Take me to Your great unknown
The song "Beyond Me" by TobyMac is a personal reflection on the limits of human ability and the realization of our need for a higher power. The first verse speaks of the struggle of pursuing dreams that seem impossible to achieve, and feeling overwhelmed by the obstacles in the way. However, the chorus reminds us that there are things that are "way beyond" our capabilities, and it is only through faith that we can reach them. The second verse expresses a desire to abandon one's comfort zone and rely on God's plan instead of one's own. The bridge emphasizes that God's guidance takes us to places we couldn't go on our own and helps us realize our need for Him.
The song's message is relatable to many people, as everyone experiences moments of doubt and uncertainty. The lyrics urge listeners to let go of their fears and trust in a higher power. The use of metaphorical language, such as "you gave me the stars, put them out of my reach" and "call me to waters a little too deep," creates an image of God challenging and pushing us past our human limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
Call it a reason to retreat
I feel overwhelmed, so I want to give up.
I got some dreams that are bigger than me
My goals are greater than what I can achieve alone.
I might be outmatched outsized the underdog in the fight of my life
I feel small and disadvantaged in the challenges I face.
Is it so crazy to believe
I wonder if it's unrealistic to have hope in difficult situations.
That you gave me the stars put them out of my reach
God has given me great potential and purpose that I can't fully comprehend.
Call me to waters a little too deep
God is pushing me out of my comfort zone to trust Him more.
Oh I've never been so aware of my need
I've never felt so dependent on God's guidance and strength.
You keep on making me see
God reveals His plan and purpose to me through my struggles.
It's way beyond me
My situation is too difficult for me to handle on my own.
Yeah it's out of my league
I am not capable enough to overcome this by myself.
Anything that I got the strength to do
I'm not confident in my own abilities anymore.
In over my head keeps me countin' on you
I need to rely on God since I'm unable to handle all of what's happening by myself.
I'm leaving the sweet spot sure shot tradin' it all for the plans you got
I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and trusting God's unpredictable plan instead of my own predictable path.
You take me to the place where I know I need You
God brings me to situations where I can see how much I need Him.
Straight to the depths that I can't handle on my own
God brings me to difficult situations that are beyond my own ability to handle.
And Lord I know, I know I need You
I am aware that I need God's help and guidance.
So take me to Your great
God, show me the amazing things you have planned for me.
Take me to Your great unknown
I am willing to trust God's plan for my future, even if I can't fully see what's ahead.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Garcia, Toby Mckeehan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MichaelAnthonyCareccia1956
Thank you for liking the Lord's google+ page. Please help us in our quest to reach out to the lost and the deceived. Right about now your thinking oh this guy is just like the rest of them, wanting money, but your wrong. I know that there are Preachers out there that even want to charge you to join their church.
You want to know what I think about that? I will tell you real quick do not get yourself involved with their kind. All we ask of you here at Kingdom of Yahweh Ministry is that you join us in our quest to reach the lost and the deceived by leading the People to the Lord's Google + page and also by leading them to the Lord's Utube channel and get them to subscribe to the Lord's Utube channel.
By doing this you will be a part of this Great and Powerful Ministry that Jesus has brought forth unto us in these last days. We do our part for the Lord Jesus and Jesus takes it from there and saves them. Also by subscribing to the Lord's Utube channel you will help us to reach the threshold of subscribers that Utube needs to start sending this Ministry money for running their commercials on our videos.
You don't have to pay anyone anything at all, to be a part of this Ministry. Your Money stays in your pocket and not in the pockets of Liars & thieves. May Jesus use you all to reach the Lost and those who the devil has decieved. And may Jesus the Lord of Glory Save your soul and fill you with his spirit right now.
I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.
Come on now, if your not saved and your looking and reading the post's on this page then you have to know that Jesus has led you here. And Jesus has led you here to save your soul. So Lift Your Voice Up To Jesus Right Now And Ask Jesus To Save Your Soul And Fill You With The Holy Spirit .I ask this for you all in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.Amen. And Remember to always end your Prayers In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
@prophetmuhammad8744
Michael Hansen
Yeah and that's JESUS of The Bible and His Spirit. The Father's Kingdom is coming thru what Jesus said in His Word:
Matthew 6:5-15 KJV
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are : for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, *that they may be seen of men.* Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
■■■
[6] But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, *pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.*
*
[7] But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
■■■
[8] Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
■■■
[9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
■■For
->thine<-■■■■-->is the kingdom,■■
■■and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.■■
[14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
SONG FOR YOU:
https://youtu.be/rYQ5yXCc_CA
@adrianyanez1946
It's humility, to admit "it's beyond me." Without God we can't. But with God we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil.4: 13). We depend on his Grace everyday as believers.
@jaylynmanus9387
Adrian Yanez YASS THATS EXACTLY WAT I THOUGHT WHEN I HEARD THIS SONG LOL
@icecreambaby3660
Its so true that being humble is admit its that its beyond me(-:
@arrowoflightezpez
AMEN 😭😭😭😭😭
@gnation855
True
@tathanbailey6225
Amen!
@spacelatte4483
My mom always wanted me to listen to christian songs. I thought all christian songs were old school and slow and not modern. But when I saw this, I now love listening to his songs all day long.
@thankyoulala
I can sort of relate!
@icecreambaby3660
Me to
@SuperJSM
That's what I originally thought... until I found out how many modern style christian artists their are!