The ascension of TobyMacβs 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 recordsβheβs been known to relentlessly tweak and massage every little thing in an inexorable effort to make it sound betterβToby is the first to admit that he has to work really hard to make great music. βThatβs what drives me,β he says. βI feel like I have to work harder than other people to get there. Sometimes I feel like Iβm 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.β
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 andβperhaps most relevant of allβthe power of music, which he insists is still what keeps him going.
βItβs the truth,β he says. βI still believe that a song can penetrate a heart. I believe God can use a song to open someoneβs mind and heart. Other songs can just drop what I call, 'the joy bomb' on somebody. I fight really hard to remain unjaundicedβto keep believing that you can actually walk into a studio and write a song that breathes life. Thatβs the hardest fight for a guy whoβs been doing this for a while; itβs easy to fall into the trap of just making it your job. But I still believe that songs matter.β
The songs on TONIGHT certainly matterβeverything from the prayerful first single βCity On Our Kneesβ to the testimonial βChanged Forever,β from the worshipful βCapturedβ to the confessional βStart Somewhere,β and even down to the put-on-your-party-hat grooves of βFunky Jesus Musicβ and βShowStopper.β One theme that runs loud and clear throughout is the idea that we all need God, and we need him nowβthis morning, this afternoon, tonight.
βRight here, right now / Under the stars / I promise You my heart / βCause it starts tonight,β Toby sings on the chorus of the title track. βIf you gotta start somewhere why not here? If you gotta start sometime why not now?β he asks on βCity on Our Knees.β And βI wanna straighten this before the sun goes down tonight,β he proclaims on βStart Somewhere.β
βThereβs definitely a sense of urgency on this record,β says co-producer Chris Stephens, who has worked on TobyMacβs last three CDs. βAnd itβs an album that speaks of unity, of coming together and finding common ground to worship God.β
Toby has long had a passion for racial reconciliation and unity, a recurrent theme in his music. TONIGHT includes songs of reconciliation of another kindβbetween 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 βHold On,β he sings, βIf you move just a little bit closer / You can put your head on my shoulder . . . / Wipe away those tears / This oneβs for you.β And on βStart Somewhere,β heβs downright confessional: βI said some things that I regret / And if I could, Iβd take βem back / But here I am, and there you are / The space between us is not so far / Iβm reaching out my hand in love.β
ββHold Onβ is very personal,β Toby says. βMany lines are there to encourage my wife, but I know those lines could encourage anybody in a relationship. As for βStart Somewhere,β any time youβre in love with somebody, youβre going to bang heads from time to time. I donβt know how many times Iβve 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. Thatβs one of my favorite songs on the record; itβs a personal perspective on confrontation and reconciliation.β
And then thereβs βWonderinβ,β in which Toby reminisces about the past with Kevin Max and Michael Tait in dcTalk, one of Christian musicβs biggest acts in the 1990s. βWe was ridinβ in style, clockinβ them miles / With the songs that He put down deep in our hearts . . . / Iβm wonderinβ βbout the way I spend my days / Wonderinβ if itβs even worth the chase / Wonderinβ if theyβre stealinβ me from you.β
βItβs just a warm look back at dc Talk,β says Toby, almost wistfully. βItβs 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? Iβve got these dreams Iβm 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.β
Sonically, TONIGHT is typical TobyMac in many waysβan eclectic mix of rap, rock, pop and funk, all laden with catchy hooks and melodies just itching for airplay and audience singalongs. Thereβs even a healthy dose of reggae on the album closer βBreak Open the Sky,β where Toby flexes his Jamaican family ties while Israel Houghton provides guest vocals. Other visiting vocalists include Skilletβs John Cooper on βTonightβ and Relient Kβs Matthew Thiessen on βWonderinβ.β
Of course most of the vocals belong to the artist himself. Stephens says Toby βhas stretched himself as a vocalist, he writes about things he is passionate about and his vocals reflect that urgency''. Toby agrees: βI do more singing on this record than ever before. Iβm learning to use my vocal instrument in different ways, and Iβm getting more comfortable with it everyday''.
It all adds up to a project that reflects one manβs desire to push himself beyond βvery good,β to dig deep in the quest for that other country where greatness resides. He certainly reached for it. Hard.
βIβve worked very hard not to fall into the trap of making this just a gig,β he says. βIf it is a labor, itβs a labor of love. I know music canβt 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
Horizon
TobyMac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm ready for change
They keep tellin' me to stay in my lane
But it's screamin' my name
My heart is racin', the elements we're facin'
Got us pushin' through the night
I feel the pressure, but when we come together
It's our destiny
No separatin' us 'cause we're family
Beautiful together
I do believe we can do anything in His name
(A new day)
A new day is on the horizon
A new day is on the horizon
If you can see it, I can see it, we can be it
Better believe ain't nothin' gonna stand in our way
A new day is on the horizon
Uh, thicker than blood, thicker than earth suit ties
So deep and wide
There's comin' a day, comin' a day we gonna rise up
We won't give up the fight
It's our destiny
No separatin' us 'cause we're family
Beautiful together
I do believe we can do anything in His name
(A new day)
A new day is on the horizon
A new day is on the horizon
If you can see it, I can see it, we can be it
Better believe ain't nothin' gonna stand in our way
A new day is on the horizon
Takin' all we are and bindin' it forever
Together, never severed a song so much deeper than the skin we're in
Our creed, our culture, even our names
Fall straight into the shadows of the depths of how we relate
Our body, our family, different parts but one and the same
Spiritual shame it cannot clinch us, 'cause the love we have is different
You could say what you say
But nothin' could stand in the way
Of the rising on the horizon, open your eyes to a new day
A new day is on the horizon
A new day is on the horizon
If you can see it, I can see it, we can be it
Better believe ain't nothin' gonna stand in our way
A new day is on the horizon
Rise up if you're tired of the replay
And fists high if you're ready for a new day
Rise up if you're tired of the replay
Tired of the replay
Rise up if you're tired of the replay
And fists high if you're ready for a new day
Rise up if you're tired of the replay
Tired of the replay
The song "Horizon" by TobyMac talks about seeking change, moving forward and not being afraid to break away from the routine of life. He starts by saying that he feels the blood rushing through his veins and he is ready for a change. But people around him keep telling him to stay in his lane and not to venture out. However, he believes that he can do anything if he believes in the power of the divine.
The song encourages people to come together and not be separated because they are one big family. Toby believes that they can face any challenge and overcome it if they are together. The song inspires everyone to look forward to a new day, a new beginning, and not to be held back by their past. The lyrics also speak about the importance of standing up for oneself and not being tied to the past. The song is full of optimism and encouragement, a message of hope to all who hear it.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel the blood rushin' through my veins
I am excited about what's to come
I'm ready for change
I am prepared for a new beginning
They keep tellin' me to stay in my lane
People are telling me to stick to what I know
But it's screamin' my name
But I am drawn to something greater
My heart is racin', the elements we're facin'
I am excited and energized by the challenges ahead
Got us pushin' through the night
We are determined to keep going despite the obstacles
I feel the pressure, but when we come together
I feel the weight of responsibility, but we are stronger when we unite
We'll journey to the morning light
We will triumph and reach a positive outcome
It's our destiny
It is fate or divine will for us to succeed
No separatin' us 'cause we're family
We are unified and connected like family
Beautiful together
We have a harmonious and powerful bond
I do believe we can do anything in His name
I have faith that we can achieve great things through our shared beliefs
A new day is on the horizon
A hopeful and positive future lies ahead
If you can see it, I can see it, we can be it
If we can imagine this new day, we can make it a reality
Better believe ain't nothin' gonna stand in our way
We are determined and nothing will hold us back
Uh, thicker than blood, thicker than earth suit ties
Our bond is stronger than mere family relationships or worldly connections
So deep and wide
Our bond is encompassing and all-encompassing
There's comin' a day, comin' a day we gonna rise up
We will rise above the challenges we face
We won't give up the fight
We will persevere and keep going
Takin' all we are and bindin' it forever
Our shared experiences and beliefs unite us forever
Together, never severed a song so much deeper than the skin we're in
Our bond goes beyond physical appearances or surface-level connections
Our creed, our culture, even our names
Our shared beliefs and values transcend our backgrounds, cultures, and identities
Fall straight into the shadows of the depths of how we relate
Our bond is rooted in the core of how we interact with each other
Our body, our family, different parts but one and the same
We are different, yet we are all important and together we make a whole
Spiritual shame it cannot clinch us, 'cause the love we have is different
Our spiritual connection is unbreakable because our love is unique and strong
You could say what you say
Others may have their opinions
But nothin' could stand in the way
But nothing can stop our bond and success
Of the rising on the horizon, open your eyes to a new day
A positive and brighter future is within reach, we just have to be open to it
Rise up if you're tired of the replay
We must lift ourselves up if we are tired of repeating old patterns
And fists high if you're ready for a new day
We must be ready and assertive for the new day ahead
Tired of the replay
We're tired of feeling stuck in the same situation
Lyrics Β© Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ryan Edgar, Timothy John Myers, Toby McKeehan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Top Worship Music
God is like the parent, and you are his child learning how to walk. Heβs far away watching you, so when the day you fall or stumble. Heβs there to catch you.ππ½π§‘God bless you. He put me on your heart β€
Tee Man
Amen
Danny
This is such a throwback remember playing this at full blast in my car a few years ago <3 keep up the work man
TeaTeaγ
Iβve been listening to your music since I was 2 years old. Iβm 15 now, and I still listen and love your music π΅
Crashton
Same here π€π€π€
Ninja_Artist
@Robby Mounce oh I'm so sorry I didn't get a notification about ur reply, yes I did π my mom really loved their music back then so she knows all the stuff π
Robby Mounce
@Wendy Dornevil yeah!
Wendy Dornevil
Long time that is 13 years also I love this song I am keep listening to it over and over again
Robby Mounce
@Ninja_Artist and did you ALSO KNOW that Toby Macβs REAL NAME is Kevin Micheal Mckeyan? (I didnβt spell that right lol) but the reason he started gong by Toby was because the OTHER TWO members of the band were named KEVIN (Max) and Micheal (Tate) ??????ΒΏ lol
ERNEST GARCIA
" I BELIEVE WE CAN DO ANYTHING IN HIS NAME " GREAT SONG TOBY !!