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
Lift You Up
TobyMac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've always been a dreamer, a soul seeker
I knew my life was meant for something deeper (deeper)
You saw me, there's beauty all along the way
I've been walking till my feet hurt, holes in my t-shirt
Caught me at the Goodwill 'cause you know it's cheaper (cheaper)
No I, I, I, I'm never gonna stop believing
Yeah I, I, I, I'mma let 'em know till the day I die
We'll lift you up
We'll lift you up
We'll lift you up
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down
We'll lift you up
Till this place erupts
We'll lift you up
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down (down, down, down, down)
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down (down, down, down, down, down, down, down)
Yeah it's been a long road, but I'mma still flow
I keep pouring out my heart for the people
I'll never let the passion fade away
And you're the only reason, I'm preaching freedom
We'll be turning every eye to the kingdom
There ain't no way that'll ever change
No, no, no, no
No I, I, I, I 'm never gonna stop believing (no I'm never gonna)
I, I, I, I'mma let 'em know till the day I die (till the day I die)
We'll lift you up
We'll lift you up
We'll lift you up
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down
We'll lift you up
Till this place erupts
We'll lift you up
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down (down, down, down, down, down, down)
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down (down, down, down, down, down, down, down)
How many times they need to hear me say it?
I'm a freak for you, I'm here to make you famous
Just here to tear it apart, here to light the dark
I'm debt free like a bird 'cause you paid the cost
So every time I get a mic in the palm of my hand
I'mma tear the place down like it's my last stand
But for you is my hill worth dying on, man
The only place that I've ever belonged
Ohh I'm never gonna stop believing
Oh whoa oh, I'mma let 'em know, yeah I'mma let 'em know!
We'll lift you up
We'll lift you up
We'll lift you up
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down
We'll lift you up
Till this place erupts
We'll lift you up
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down (down, down, down, down, down, down, down)
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down (we're gonna lift you up, down, down, down, down)
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down (we're gonna lift you up, down, down, down, down)
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down (we're gonna lift you up)
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down
“Lift You Up” by TobyMac [feat. Ryan Stevenson] is a song that speaks about finding hope and faith in a higher power that will never disappoint. The lyrics express that no matter how hard someone falls or how far they have to go, they will never lose faith as their love for God is too strong. In the first verse, the lyrics depict a challenging journey with struggling to keep faith but always believing in the beauty of life. The second verse speaks about the sacrifices the artist has made to live his dream, but he knows that God has always been his strength. The chorus emphasizes that they will lift up God because He never lets them down, and they will never let the passion fade away.
The lyrics emphasize the importance of faith, having a strong belief system, and trusting in a higher power's plan. The song highlights the idea that God is the only one who can lift us up and give us the strength to overcome any challenge. TobyMac and Stevenson create an uplifting and inspiring song that reinforces the listener's belief in themselves and their faith. It is a beautiful reminder that the hard work and dedication we put into our dreams will always be worth it with God by our side.
Line by Line Meaning
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down
Repeated seven times to signify a downward spiral or struggle
I've always been a dreamer, a soul seeker
I have always had big aspirations and have been searching for meaning in life
I knew my life was meant for something deeper (deeper)
I was certain that there was a greater purpose for me
You saw me, there's beauty all along the way
Despite my struggles, I found beauty on my journey, presumably with the help of a higher power
I've been walking till my feet hurt, holes in my t-shirt
I have been working hard, enduring physical pain, and sacrificing material comforts
Caught me at the Goodwill 'cause you know it's cheaper (cheaper)
I had to shop at a thrift store because of financial constraints
Only got a few dollars to my name
I had little money to my name
No I, I, I, I'm never gonna stop believing
I will never stop believing in my dreams and purpose
Yeah I, I, I, I'mma let 'em know till the day I die
I will continue to spread my message until my dying day
We'll lift you up
Referring to a higher power or spiritual force lifting people up
Till this place erupts
The energy and enthusiasm will increase to a point of eruption or explosion
'Cause you ain't ever gonna let us down
Belief that the higher power will always be there and never let us down
Yeah it's been a long road, but I'mma still flow
Acknowledgement of a difficult journey, but continuing to move forward
I keep pouring out my heart for the people
Giving all of oneself for the betterment of others
I'll never let the passion fade away
Never letting go of the passion or drive for one's purpose
And you're the only reason, I'm preaching freedom
Attributing one's mission and message to the higher power or spiritual force
We'll be turning every eye to the kingdom
Belief that the message will be heard and will have a great impact (Kingdom referring to a spiritual realm)
There ain't no way that'll ever change
A firm belief that the higher power will always guide and support
How many times they need to hear me say it?
Wondering how many times the message needs to be repeated before it is received
I'm a freak for you, I'm here to make you famous
Being fully dedicated and committed to spreading the message of the higher power
Just here to tear it apart, here to light the dark
Breaking down barriers and shining light on dark places with the message
I'm debt free like a bird 'cause you paid the cost
Being free of burdens and obstacles because of the higher power's sacrifice
So every time I get a mic in the palm of my hand
Feeling empowered and inspired to spread the message
I'mma tear the place down like it's my last stand
Giving everything in the performance, as if it were the last opportunity to spread the message
But for you is my hill worth dying on, man
Being willing to sacrifice everything for the higher power and purpose
The only place that I've ever belonged
Finding a sense of belonging and meaning in the mission and message
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Toby McKeehan, Ryan Stevenson, Jonathan White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Forever Loved
Some non believers think Gospel music is boring but there's all types of music about our Savior. This song is uplifting and it's a peaceful life among the world's chaos. Get up n dance, praise and praise God. Lifting me up knowing I'm a child of the king. ❤
Jill Lewallen
Hallelujah!!! What an amazing song. I love when God shows me random songs, so I can keep lifting Him higher, with every testimony He gives me
I love god
Tammie Ivie
Absolutely love this song!!! So needed to hear this today!! Jesus is King!
Susan C
Your music is fun, it ministers and there can only be one TobyMac EVER !!! Thank you for all your music and for bringing a smile on my face when I listen. I love your music and this song it’s just another amazing song I can enjoy 😊♥️💕
Melinda Ferreira
Great vocals, I'm feeling that goodwill lines... truth but God never fails.. 🕊️💯🙏
Donna Thompson
❤ Love it❤❤
Rosa Teran
Great song it’s pump up your soul..
Amanda Wait
Yes Jesus, we'll lift You up always and forever!💜💕
Testable Dawn
Nice! This is awesome! You are my fav Christian artist.