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
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 © Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ryan Edgar, Timothy John Myers, Toby McKeehan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chelsea Alumbaugh
I feel the blood rushin' through my veins
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
We'll journey to the morning light
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 is on the horizon
A new day is on the horizon
If you can see it, I can see it, we can be it
I believe in nothin' gonna stand in our way
A new day is on the horizon
Uh, thicker than blood, thicker than earth
Soup 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 is on the horizon
A new day is on the horizon
If you can see it, I can see it, we can be it
I believe in 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 a creator 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 again, I can't '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
I believe it, nothin' gon' 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
David McGaughey
This song is so underrated
Gunner and Chloe :-D
I love this sing
Gunner and Chloe :-D
I’m going to your concert on the 7th of October!
Abe Letkeman
Kinda like almost all of his other songs lol
Shadow
So true
Lesa T
I agree love it.
doqquo
Thank God For This Amazing Person And Music Producer!
Fetch On The Trail
inndeed
A Michael
@Fetch On The Trail Amen indeed
S.T. Films & D.J. Studios
2001: he's good
2004: he's still good
2007: wow he's amazing
2010: he's still amazing
2012: what da heck he's still amazing?!
2015: okay,mi will not be surprised-- OHMIGOSHWHAT HE IS EVEN MOR AMAZING!?!?
2018: alright, here we go. Yep, he's still (hears this song) WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?!?!?