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
Til The Day I Die
TobyMac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like this heart is defenseless
Against the passion that's pumpin' through my veins
Blood, sweat, tears, it's a callin'
And if I can't walk, then I'm crawlin'
It might flicker, but they can't kill the flame
I can't stop I can't quit
I can't stop, no I can't quit
It's in my heart, yeah I'm all in
'Til the wheels fall off
'Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high
I will lift your banner high
And 'til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I'll lay it all on the line
'Til the day I die
'Til the day I die
'Til the end of the line
'Til the day I die
It's Your name I'll glorify
It's runnin' deeper than the ocean
This ain't religion, it's devotion
Three, six, five, every minute, everyday
So in the middle of the madness
They can stretch me out like canvas
But I ain't ever gonna fit in their frame
I can't stop I can't quit
It's in my heart It's on my lips
I can't stop, no I can't quit
It's in my heart, yeah I'm all in
'Til the wheels fall off
'Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high
I will lift your banner high
And til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I'll lay it all on the line
'Til the day I
'Til the day I die
'Til the end of the line
'Til the day I die
It's Your name I'll glorify
'Til I die and they put me in the coffin
Don't matter if I'm on the road or if I'm recordin'
Tell me what you think about me, that really ain't important
You know I'mma represent um, I ain't playin', can't afford to
I only got one life and I get it though
And this is not an act, not a movie, not a TV show
I don't know what quittin' means, I don't ever take it slow
You know I'm on the grind, me and Toby in the studio
Do it for the King, what you know about that?
Say you goin' harder, mmm I doubt that'
You say you doin' work, but you're asking where the couch at
How you doin' work when you asking where the couch at?
God is not a crutch, you can use Him when you wanna
You only look to heaven when you goin' through some drama
And when they goin' through some problems and that's the only time they call Him
I guess I don't understand that life, wonder why 'cause I'm all in
'Til the day I die
'Til the wheels fall off
'Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high I will lift your banner high
And 'til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I'll lay it all on the line
'Til the day I ('Til the day I)
'Til the day I die
'Til the day I
'Til the day I die
'Til the end of the line
'Til the day I ('till the day I)
'Til the day I, 'til the day, I fly
'Til the day I die
'Til the end of the line
TobyMac's song Til The Day I Die is a declaration of his faith and commitment to God. The song's chorus highlights TobyMac's determination to keep holding up God's banner high even in the face of adversity. In his eyes, his faith is not simply a religion, but a devotion that fuels his passion and purpose. He is fully aware of the challenges that come with living a faithful life and acknowledges that it requires sacrifice, resilience and determination. The lines "It might flicker, but they can't kill the flame" indicate his unwavering commitment to his faith, while the repeated lines "I can't stop, no I can't quit, It's in my heart, yeah I'm all in" reinforce this message.
Throughout the song, TobyMac emphasizes his determination to continue praising God, even in the face of challenges, until the day he dies. He is not deterred by people's opinions or circumstances, and he makes it clear that he is willing to lay it all on the line for God. TobyMac knows that his journey will not be easy, but he is convinced that it is worth it.
In a nutshell, Til The Day I Die is an upbeat and lively song that encourages believers to stay committed to their faith and unflinching in their devotion to God. TobyMac's strong, clear voice and the song's energetic beat make it a memorable declaration of faith that inspires listeners to keep holding up God's banner, no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll keep swingin' for the fences
I will continue to take bold risks and aim for great achievements.
It's like this heart is defenseless
My heart is open and vulnerable to the powerful emotions I feel.
Against the passion that's pumpin' through my veins
I am driven by the intense emotions and desires I feel inside me.
Blood, sweat, tears, it's a callin'
The pursuit of my passion requires significant effort and sacrifice.
And if I can't walk, then I'm crawlin'
I am determined to keep moving forward, even if progress is slow or difficult.
It might flicker, but they can't kill the flame
My passion and dedication may be tested, but it cannot be extinguished.
I can't stop I can't quit
I am committed to my goals and will not give up.
It's in my heart It's on my lips
My passion and dedication are deeply ingrained in my personality and actions.
'Til the wheels fall off
I will continue my pursuit until the very end, no matter the obstacles.
'Til the spotlight fades
My actions are not motivated by fame, but by a deeper purpose and commitment.
I will lift your banner high
I will glorify and honor the cause or person that inspires me.
And 'til the walls crash in
I will not be deterred even in the face of great opposition or hardship.
For the rest of my days
I am committed to my cause or purpose for the remainder of my life.
I'll lay it all on the line
I am willing to risk everything for what I believe in and what I am passionate about.
It's runnin' deeper than the ocean
The passion and commitment I feel are incredibly deep and intense.
This ain't religion, it's devotion
My actions and beliefs are not motivated by dogmatic religious beliefs, but by a personal devotion and commitment.
Three, six, five, every minute, everyday
My commitment and dedication are constant and unwavering, every day of the year.
So in the middle of the madness
Even in the midst of turmoil and chaos, I remain steadfast and dedicated.
They can stretch me out like canvas
Others may try to change or control me, but I will not be manipulated or coerced.
But I ain't ever gonna fit in their frame
I will not conform to the expectations or limitations of others.
Don't matter if I'm on the road or if I'm recordin'
My commitment and dedication are not limited by my location or circumstances.
Tell me what you think about me, that really ain't important
The opinions of others are not relevant to my personal commitment and dedication.
You know I'mma represent um, I ain't playin', can't afford to
I am committed to representing my cause or purpose with utmost dedication and seriousness.
I only got one life and I get it though
I recognize the finite nature of my life and am committed to making the most of it.
And this is not an act, not a movie, not a TV show
My commitment and dedication are genuine, and not a performance or facade.
God is not a crutch, you can use Him when you wanna
My faith and belief in God are not superficial or temporary, but a deep-seated aspect of my life.
You only look to heaven when you goin' through some drama
Many people turn to religion only in times of crisis or difficulty, but my faith is constant and consistent.
And when they goin' through some problems and that's the only time they call Him
Others may only turn to God when they need something, but my faith is a central part of my life.
I guess I don't understand that life, wonder why 'cause I'm all in
I cannot comprehend living without a deep commitment and dedication; my faith and passions are integral to my identity.
'Til the day I fly
I will remain committed and dedicated to my purpose until the very end of my life.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: David Garcia, Nate Feuerstein, Toby Mckeehan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheMusicvideoVEVO
"You say you doin' work, but you're asking where the couch at
How you doin' work when you asking where the couch at?
God is not a crutch, you can use Him when you wanna
You only look to heaven when you goin' through some drama
And when they goin' through some problems and that's the only time they call Him
I guess I don't understand that life, wonder why?
'Cause I'm all in
Til the day I die "
lets be all in.
@shadoelixir
I'll keep swingin' for the fences
It's like this heart is defenseless
Against the passion that's pumpin' through my veins
Blood, sweat, tears, it's a callin'
And if I can't walk, then I'm crawlin'
It might flicker, but they can't kill the flame
I can't stop I can't quit
It's in my heart It's on my lips
I can't stop, no I can't quit
It's in my heart, yeah I'm all in
'Til the wheels fall off
'Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high
I will lift your banner high
And 'til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I'll lay it all on the line
'Til the day I die
'Til the day I die
'Til the end of the line
'Til the day I die
It's Your name I'll glorify
It's runnin' deeper than the ocean
This ain't religion, it's devotion
Three, six, five every minute, everyday
So in the middle of the madness
They can stretch me out like canvas
But I ain't ever gonna fit in their frame
I can't stop I can't quit
It's in my heart It's on my lips
I can't stop, no I can't quit
It's in my heart, yeah I'm all in
'Til the wheels fall off
'Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high
I will lift your banner high
And til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I'll lay it all on the line
'Til the day I
'Til the day I die
'Til the end of the line
'Til the day I die
It's Your name I'll glorify
'Til I die and they put me in the coffin
Don't matter if I'm on the road or if I'm recordin'
Tell me what you think about me, that really ain't important
You know I'mma represent um, I ain't playin', can't afford to
I only got one life and I get it though
And this is not an act, not a movie, not a TV show
I don't know what quittin' means, I don't ever take it slow
You know I'm on the grind, me and Toby in the studio
Do it for the King, what you know about that?
Say you goin' harder, mmm I doubt that'
You say you doin' work, but you're asking where the couch at
How you doin' work when you asking where the couch at?
God is not a crutch, you can use Him when you wanna
You only look to heaven when you goin' through some drama
And when they goin' through some problems and that's the only time they call Him
I guess I don't understand that life, wonder why 'cause I'm all in
'Til the day I die
'Til the wheels fall off
'Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high I will lift your banner high
And 'til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I'll lay it all on the line
'Til the day I ('Til the day I)
'Til the day I die
'Til the day I
'Til the day I die
'Til the end of the line
'Til the day I ('till the day I)
'Til the day I, 'til the day, I fly
'Til the day I die
'Til the end of the line
@adieldasilva7829
Who’s listening to this in 2024
@_Roasted_Marshmallow
Me!!
@AT-ob3uu
Hi
@Dragon_Artss
Mee
@PrestonBendele
Me
@PrestonBendele
Me
@Ivy285
Toby = class
NF = energy
Together = unstoppable
@thetidepride6487
Yes
@Harvzy
True
@faithchrist7548
That's so so true lol.