The ascension of TobyMacâs 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 recordsâheâs been known to relentlessly tweak and massage every little thing in an inexorable effort to make it sound betterâToby is the first to admit that he has to work really hard to make great music. âThatâs what drives me,â he says. âI feel like I have to work harder than other people to get there. Sometimes I feel like Iâm 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.â
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 andâperhaps most relevant of allâthe power of music, which he insists is still what keeps him going.
âItâs the truth,â he says. âI still believe that a song can penetrate a heart. I believe God can use a song to open someoneâs mind and heart. Other songs can just drop what I call, 'the joy bomb' on somebody. I fight really hard to remain unjaundicedâto keep believing that you can actually walk into a studio and write a song that breathes life. Thatâs the hardest fight for a guy whoâs been doing this for a while; itâs easy to fall into the trap of just making it your job. But I still believe that songs matter.â
The songs on TONIGHT certainly matterâeverything from the prayerful first single âCity On Our Kneesâ to the testimonial âChanged Forever,â from the worshipful âCapturedâ to the confessional âStart Somewhere,â and even down to the put-on-your-party-hat grooves of âFunky Jesus Musicâ and âShowStopper.â One theme that runs loud and clear throughout is the idea that we all need God, and we need him nowâthis morning, this afternoon, tonight.
âRight here, right now / Under the stars / I promise You my heart / âCause it starts tonight,â Toby sings on the chorus of the title track. âIf you gotta start somewhere why not here? If you gotta start sometime why not now?â he asks on âCity on Our Knees.â And âI wanna straighten this before the sun goes down tonight,â he proclaims on âStart Somewhere.â
âThereâs definitely a sense of urgency on this record,â says co-producer Chris Stephens, who has worked on TobyMacâs last three CDs. âAnd itâs an album that speaks of unity, of coming together and finding common ground to worship God.â
Toby has long had a passion for racial reconciliation and unity, a recurrent theme in his music. TONIGHT includes songs of reconciliation of another kindâbetween 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 âHold On,â he sings, âIf you move just a little bit closer / You can put your head on my shoulder . . . / Wipe away those tears / This oneâs for you.â And on âStart Somewhere,â heâs downright confessional: âI said some things that I regret / And if I could, Iâd take âem back / But here I am, and there you are / The space between us is not so far / Iâm reaching out my hand in love.â
ââHold Onâ is very personal,â Toby says. âMany lines are there to encourage my wife, but I know those lines could encourage anybody in a relationship. As for âStart Somewhere,â any time youâre in love with somebody, youâre going to bang heads from time to time. I donât know how many times Iâve 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. Thatâs one of my favorite songs on the record; itâs a personal perspective on confrontation and reconciliation.â
And then thereâs âWonderinâ,â in which Toby reminisces about the past with Kevin Max and Michael Tait in dcTalk, one of Christian musicâs biggest acts in the 1990s. âWe was ridinâ in style, clockinâ them miles / With the songs that He put down deep in our hearts . . . / Iâm wonderinâ âbout the way I spend my days / Wonderinâ if itâs even worth the chase / Wonderinâ if theyâre stealinâ me from you.â
âItâs just a warm look back at dc Talk,â says Toby, almost wistfully. âItâs 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? Iâve got these dreams Iâm 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.â
Sonically, TONIGHT is typical TobyMac in many waysâan eclectic mix of rap, rock, pop and funk, all laden with catchy hooks and melodies just itching for airplay and audience singalongs. Thereâs even a healthy dose of reggae on the album closer âBreak Open the Sky,â where Toby flexes his Jamaican family ties while Israel Houghton provides guest vocals. Other visiting vocalists include Skilletâs John Cooper on âTonightâ and Relient Kâs Matthew Thiessen on âWonderinâ.â
Of course most of the vocals belong to the artist himself. Stephens says Toby âhas stretched himself as a vocalist, he writes about things he is passionate about and his vocals reflect that urgency''. Toby agrees: âI do more singing on this record than ever before. Iâm learning to use my vocal instrument in different ways, and Iâm getting more comfortable with it everyday''.
It all adds up to a project that reflects one manâs desire to push himself beyond âvery good,â to dig deep in the quest for that other country where greatness resides. He certainly reached for it. Hard.
âIâve worked very hard not to fall into the trap of making this just a gig,â he says. âIf it is a labor, itâs a labor of love. I know music canât 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
Move
TobyMac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feels like you're miles away
Don't even need no shade
When your sun don't shine, shine
Too many passin' dreams
Roll by like limousines
It's hard to keep believin'
I know your heart been broke again
I know your prayers ain't been answered yet
I know you're feeling like you got nothing left
Well, lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet so
Move, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
Move, keep walkin' until the mornin' comes
Move, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
And lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet
Echoin' inside your head
Are the words that your sweet momma said
"Shoot for the moon, my dear"
So you took aim out of this atmosphere
Between high stakes and pump fakes
You're feelin' like you can't buy a break
I can hold your hand, but I can't turn your eyes to freedom
I know your heart been broke again
I know your prayers ain't been answered yet
I know you're feeling like you got nothing left
Well, lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet so
Move, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
Move, keep walkin' until the mornin' comes
Move, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
And lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet
Hold on, hold on
Lord ain't finished yet
Hold on, hold on
He'll get you through this
Hold on, hold on
These are the promises
I never will forget
I never will forget, so
Hold on, hold on
The Lord ain't finished yet
Hold on, hold on
He'll get you through this
Hold on, hold on
These are the promises
I never will forget
I never will forget
I know your heart been broke again
I know your prayers ain't been answered yet
But it ain't over yet, it ain't over yet
So get up and move, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
Move, keep walkin' until the mornin' comes
Move, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
And lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet
Lift up your head now, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
Lift up your head now keep walkin' until the mornin' comes
Keep believin' keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
And lift your head, it ain't over yet, it ain't over yet
The song "Move" by TobyMac is an inspirational hip-hop track that aims to uplift and encourage listeners facing heartbreak and disappointment. The lyrics depict a person who feels lost, defeated, and alone in their struggles. However, the song encourages them to keep moving forward despite their circumstances and to not give up hope. The song contains powerful messages of perseverance, faith, and resilience.
The lyrics of the song convey a message of hope and inspiration to people facing adversity. It encourages them to push through their difficult circumstances and to not give up hope. The song also speaks about the importance of having faith in oneself and trusting in the future. It reminds the listener that every setback is just an opportunity to learn and grow.
In the chorus of the song, TobyMac urges the listener to keep moving forward and not give up. He sings, "Move, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on. Move, keep walkin' until the mornin' comes. Move, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on. And lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet." The message is clear: no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always a way to move forward and achieve success.
Overall, "Move" is an uplifting and inspiring song that encourages listeners to persevere in the face of adversity. It delivers a powerful message of hope, faith, and resilience that is relevant to anyone facing hardships in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Another heartbreak day
Starting the song with a sense of heartbreak or discouragement
Feels like you're miles away
Feeling distant or disconnected from someone or something important
Don't even need no shade
Feeling exposed or vulnerable, not requiring any shelter or cover
When your sun don't shine, shine
Finding strength or positivity when things are difficult or dark
Too many passin' dreams
Feeling discouraged by unfulfilled aspirations or goals
Roll by like limousines
Feeling like time is moving too fast and success is too far away
It's hard to keep believin'
Struggling to maintain hope or faith
When they pass you by and by
Seeing others succeed while feeling left behind or forgotten
I know your heart been broke again
Acknowledging the pain and struggles the listener may be facing
I know your prayers ain't been answered yet
Recognizing that prayers may go unanswered or seem unheard
I know you're feeling like you got nothing left
Understanding the sense of hopelessness or exhaustion the listener may be experiencing
Well, lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet so
Encouraging the listener to stay positive and keep moving forward
Move, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
Urging the listener to persevere and keep making progress
Move, keep walkin' until the mornin' comes
Encouraging the listener to keep going, despite the darkness or uncertainty
Echoin' inside your head
Having self-doubt or negative thoughts that won't go away
Are the words that your sweet momma said
Recalling advice or encouragement from a loved one
"Shoot for the moon, my dear"
Encouragement to aim high and pursue one's goals
So you took aim out of this atmosphere
Going beyond what seems possible or achievable
Between high stakes and pump fakes
Feeling like there's a lot at risk or that others are not being honest or genuine
You're feelin' like you can't buy a break
Struggling to catch a break or find success
I can hold your hand, but I can't turn your eyes to freedom
Offering support or comfort, but ultimately the listener must find their own motivation or hope
Hold on, hold on
Repeating a hopeful message to keep going
Lord ain't finished yet
Believing that there is still more to come or that there is a higher power at work
He'll get you through this
Assurance that the listener will overcome their struggles or challenges
These are the promises
Highlighting hopeful messages or encouraging words
I never will forget
Promising to remember or hold onto hopeful messages
Lift up your head now, keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
Emphasizing the importance of standing tall and persevering through adversity
Keep believin' keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
Encouraging the listener to maintain hope and keep pressing forward
And lift your head, it ain't over yet, it ain't over yet
Reinforcing the idea that there is still hope and a chance to succeed
Lyrics Š Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BRYAN CHRISTOPHER FOWLER, CHRISTOPHER E STEVENS, TOBY MC KEEHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Miller
'Callin on The name of Jesus'
I am alive cause I know that youâre here
I feel your presence throughout all the atmosphere
Through you I know things are looking up
You give me joy and peace you overflow my cup
When there is no place safe and no safe place to lay my head
I call your name you comfort me itâs through the word you said
And Iâm calling on the name of Jesus
And Iâm calling on the name of Jesus
And I wonât give up cause you donât give up
And I wonât give up cause you donât give up
And I wonât give up cause you donât give up
And I wonât give up cause you donât give up
HIS LOVE IS FINE AND I KNOW THAT HEâS NEAR
HE MADE A WAY FOR ALL OF US THAT IS CLEAR
I LOVE HIM SO FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR ME
HE FILLED MY SPIRIT, HE CAME TO SET US FREE
And Iâm calling on the name of Jesus
And Iâm calling on the name of Jesus
And the people cried and so many died without knowing the Saviour
He came here for us all he died to put us in his favor
He wants us all to be free for all eternity
He showed us all his love for us on the cross at Calvary
And Iâm calling on the name of Jesus
And Iâm calling on the name of Jesus
And Iâm calling on the name of JesusâŚ..
Based on: âCalling All Angelsâ By Train Brother Bob
Kristin Gallo
I'm pregnant, I was left by the father to deal on my own. I have no family. I'm alone and scared. Please pray for me to have the strength to do this alone.
Patty
Praying for u!!
Anna Copeland
Continue to give it to God first. And you will get though this. Because I was there also. By the Grace of God. I'm still here 60 year's old and bless. GOD always and forever. God bless you. Ask GOD he will put the right people in your life just ask. He his the only one. You can do it. Faith. Love to you.
J Shonio
I man should never leave his family. The fact that you're still holding onto God after what you've experienced shows that you have the strength to keep going and overcome. I bless and affirm your great inner strength.
Kristin Y
Praying for you sweet angelđđź
Feather Quill
Man, 4-year-old comment, kid's 3 or 4 right? Either tell them I said hey and ALSO you got this! Being a mom isn't easy and you probably know by now but guess what, that's why God's your Father and He's you're kid's Father too and a darn good one, in Jesus' name you got this cause God's got your back!
Alario Mendoza
Such an encouraging message when the burdens of life get you down, we just gotta keep moving and don't give up the fight despite that the enemy wants to keep us down
Debra Diener
I am 64 yrs old and Toby Mac's song Move just lifts up my spirits and fills me with hope. I put it on, crank it up, and dance around my living room. Don't laugh God isn't done with me yet and every day's a dance. đ
MusiVerso Oficial
Yes, yes, yes, Debra!!!! Keep moving sis!!! Same thing I do! This is a powerful song!â¤ď¸đĽ°đĽ°đĽ°đĽ°đĽ°â¤ď¸
Paulo Sa Pereira
You GO girl! I'm pretty sure He's joining you đâ¤ď¸