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
Favorite Song
TobyMac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My whole life I've wondered how
Just wonderin' how I could turn around
It's over now, yea
I'mma leave myself fresh melodies
Wanna be in Your beautiful symphony
You sing to me and my heart comes to life
Beating for you every time (it's beating beating)
And how 'bout I hear you oh I love the way
Your chorus gets stuck in my mind
Like the lyrics to my favourite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end
I wanna hear it again
Like the lyrics to my favourite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end
I wanna hear it again
Well he already makes it so surprising
Like raindrops when the sun is shining
It's beautiful to me
So you flip my words and change the tempo
And somehow you just make it simple
So beautiful to see
You sing to me and my heart comes to life
Beating for you every time (it's beating beating)
And how 'bout I hear you oh I love the way
Your chorus gets stuck in my mind
Like the lyrics to my favourite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end
I wanna hear it again
Like the lyrics to my favourite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end
I wanna hear it again
It's beating beating
It's beating beating
I am man in need
You are my remedy
I love the way that you sing to me sing to me
Your soothing melodies have got me listening
I can't wait to hear you sing to me sing to me
I am man in need
You are my remedy
I love the way that you sing to me sing to me
Your soothing melodies my heart is listening
I can't wait to hear you sing to me sing to me
Like the lyrics to my favourite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end
I wanna hear it again
Like the lyrics to my favourite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end
I wanna hear it again
My favourite song
All day long
I wanna hear it again
My favourite song
All day long
I wanna hear it again
My favourite song
All day long
I wanna hear it again
In TobyMac's song "Favorite Song," he sings about the impact that music has on his life, particularly when it comes to the lyrics and melody of his favorite songs. The lyrics express his appreciation for the power of music to lift his spirits and provide him with a sense of comfort, especially when he is feeling down or needs a boost of motivation. The song also highlights the role that his faith plays in his life, as he speaks to God through song and expresses his gratitude for the positive impact it has on him.
The opening lines of the song, "Are we good? Cool," are a nod to the sense of connection he is hoping to establish with his listeners. The lyrics also highlight the theme of closure, as TobyMac sings about leaving behind the things that have weighed him down in the past and moving forward with a sense of purpose and positivity. Throughout the song, he emphasizes the idea that music is not just something he listens to passively, but rather a powerful tool that has the ability to transform his outlook on life and give him the strength he needs to face the challenges that come his way.
In summary, "Favorite Song" is a heartwarming tribute to the beauty and power of music, especially when it comes to the lyrics and melody that stick with us long after the song has ended. It is a reminder that music has the ability to transform our lives in profound and meaningful ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Are we good? Cool
Confirming if everything is alright and acknowledging agreement
My whole life I've wondered how
Reflecting on a lifelong wonderment
Just wonderin' how I could turn around
Pondering on how to make a positive change
It's over now, yea
Acknowledging the end of something
I'mma leave myself fresh melodies
Creating new and uplifting music for oneself
Wanna be in Your beautiful symphony
Desiring to be a part of something greater than oneself
You sing to me and my heart comes to life
Feeling alive and moved by someone's singing
Beating for you every time (it's beating beating)
Showing dedication and love through a beating heart
And how 'bout I hear you oh I love the way
Expressing appreciation for someone's voice and musical style
Your chorus gets stuck in my mind
Being deeply impacted and moved by a musical chorus
Like the lyrics to my favourite song
Comparing the impact of the person's voice to a favorite song's lyrics
You stick with me all day long
Having someone's voice remain in one's head all day
And when I've reached the end
Reaching the conclusion or end point of something
I wanna hear it again
Desiring to experience the same feelings again and again
Well he already makes it so surprising
Being pleasantly surprised by something someone has accomplished
Like raindrops when the sun is shining
Finding something beautiful and inspiring in an unexpected place
It's beautiful to me
Appreciating the beauty in something
So you flip my words and change the tempo
Being open to change in one's music and songwriting style
And somehow you just make it simple
Simplifying complicated ideas and making them understandable
So beautiful to see
Seeing the beauty in someone's creative work
It's beating beating
Continuously feeling the emotions described
I am man in need
Acknowledging one's own vulnerabilities and seeking help
You are my remedy
Seeing someone as the solution to one's problems
I love the way that you sing to me sing to me
Being deeply moved and impacted by someone's singing
Your soothing melodies have got me listening
Finding comfort and peace in someone's music
I can't wait to hear you sing to me sing to me
Looking forward to experiencing someone's singing again in the future
My favourite song
Referencing the impact someone has on one's life, like a favorite song
All day long
Feeling the impact of someone's voice and presence throughout the day
I wanna hear it again
Desiring to experience the same feelings again and again
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: CHRISTOPHER E. STEVENS, DAVID ARTHUR GARCIA, RYAN MARSHALL EDGAR, TOBY MCKEEHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sabedawmira
Are we good?
Cool
My whole life I've wondered how this wandering heart could turn around
It's over now, Yeah
Imma leave my selfish melodies
Wanna be in your beautiful symphony
It's over now
You sing to me and my heart comes to life
Beating for you every time (its beating beating)
And now that I hear you oh I love the way
Your chorus gets stuck in my mind
Like a lyric to my favorite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end
I wanna hear it again (I wanna hear it again)
Like a lyric to my favorite song
You stay with me all day long
And when I've reached the end oh oh
I wanna hear it again
Ladies and Gentlemen Jamie Grace
While your remix is so surprising
Like raindrops when the sun is shining
It's beautiful to me
Lord you, flip my words and change the tempo
And somehow you just make it simple
So beautiful to sing
Yeah you sing to me and my heart comes to life
Beating for you every time (its beating beating)
And now that I hear you
Oh I love the way
Your chorus get stuck in my mind
Like a lyric to my favorite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end
I wanna hear it again (i wanna hear it again)
Like a lyric to my favorite song
You stay with me all day long
And when I've reached the end oh oh
I wanna hear it again
It's beating beating
It's beating beating
I am a man in need
You are my remedy
I love the way that you sing to me - sing to me
Your soothing melodies
Have got me listening
I can't wait to hear you sing to me - sing to me
I am a man in need
You are my remedy
I love the way that you sing to me - sing to me
Your soothing melody
My heart is listening
I can't wait to hear you sing to me
Sing
Oh like a lyric to my favorite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end
I wanna hear it again (I wanna hear it again)
Oh like a lyric to my favorite song
You stick with me all day long
And when I've reached the end oh oh
I wanna hear it again (I wanna hear it again)
You're my favorite song
All day long
@elnapeet8079
❤😂🎉😊Jesus sees Everything Everyone 😊❤🎉
@Sinner2Sinners
Lord, I am a broken soul held together only by your grace. I have peace knowing I can never fail on earth because I chose Jesus.
@Potaygious
I miss the album. So glad this came back!
@elnapeet8079
❤my granddaughters ❤this song 🎧 they call it my Jesus music 😂🎉❤😊
@SleepyLeeeee
Love TM and JG! Great collab!
@TheSnowsurfer7
Yeah I just pulled Jamies CD out the other day.. refreshed with the Lord's LOVE.. thanks Toby
@SleepyLeeeee
@@TheSnowsurfer7 She has a way of doing that with her singing!
@elijahtindal9933
I needed this
@sarahgutsa6442
We all did😊
@NoahAG
It originally came out in 2012