The three met while they were young men at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. They formed the band dc Talk (a reference to Washington D.C., but later marketed as 'decent Christian talk' by their label) and, as of the year 2000, spent twelve solid years together, performing all over the world, recording 6 albums, and earning many awards, including 4 Grammy awards.
Their music, aimed at a younger audience, combined hip-hop, rap, and R&B sensibilities and filled a gap in 1980s Christian Music and gave them a unique niche. Their first three albums, DC Talk, Nu Thang, and Free at Last started from their rap/hip-hop roots but increasingly included melodic vocal rock influences. Their 1995 studio album, Jesus Freak, continued this musical evolution by eshewing almost all rap elements and adopting a harder modern rock/grunge sound on many songs, especially the title track. Their most recent studio album, Supernatural, draws on their previous efforts while moving towards mainstream pop stylings.
Their signature sound in all albums is their use of the three members' different vocal skills separately and together. They are often lauded for their lyrical sophistication, addressing many themes in Christian theology, faith, and practice.
After more than ten years together as a group, they are taking a break in recording together to pursue their own activities outside of the band, and launch solo careers in recording music. Michael Tait formed his own band, Tait, and has most recently served as the frontman for Newsboys. Toby McKeehan has released music under the name Tobymac, and has been the most sucessful of the three. Kevin Max has released two solo albums of his own.
Dive
dc Talk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah]
[Watch out]
[It's quite all right]
[Through the night]
I saw it all from my bubble on the 15th floor
I was so unaware as I sank into my leather chair
The smoke was creeping in
My castle walls were wearing thin
It took a fire to inspire me to make my move
Cigarette in a garbage can
Changed the ways of this corporate man
It was time for a radical plan
[Chorus]
I took a dive
I took a love plunge into Your arms
I took a dive
I took a love plunge into Your arms
I took a dive
I jumped in with all my heart
I took a dive
Follow me through the door to the great unknown
Something was telling me that this would shape my destiny
Take my hand, understand You are not alone
Shame on me if I oppose the stirring of the Holy Ghost
Heard a voice calling out to me [out to me]
I come to set your spirit free [spirit free]
And in Me you are free indeed
[Chorus]
[Ah ah ah ah, ah, ah, ah]
Won't you come and take a dive with me
[Ah, ah, ah, ah, ahhh]
Won't you come and take a dive with me
[Ah, ah, ah, ah, ahhh] Jump in with all your heart and take a dive
I'm breathing under water [i'm breathin' under]
I'm sinking like a submarine [a submarine]
Your ocean's so much deeper [i'm goin' deeper]
Than anything I've ever dreamed
[Chorus]
[Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah]
[Jump, jump]
Won't You come and take a dive with me
[Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah]
[Jump, jump]
Won't you come and take a dive with me
[Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah]
[Jump, jump]
Won't you come and take a dive with me
[Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah]
[Jump, jump, jump, jump]
Won't you come and take a dive with me
[Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah]
The opening lines of "Dive" by dc Talk invite the listener to take a leap of faith and to trust in something beyond the mundane, the predictable, and the comfortable. The singer (presumably, one of the Christian band's members) recalls living high and removed from the concerns of the world: "I saw it all from my bubble on the 15th floor/I was so unaware as I sank into my leather chair/Upon my throne I was known as untouchable." He describes himself as a "corporate man" who had lost touch with what truly mattered in life. He remains stuck in a rut until a fateful moment alters his worldview. He sees a cigarette in a garbage can, and the symbolism prompts him to pursue a more meaningful existence: "Changed the ways of this corporate man/It was time for a radical plan."
The song's chorus centers around taking a “dive” or taking the plunge into the unknown and trusting that things will work out. The singer sings, “I took a love plunge into your arms, I took a dive, I jumped in with all my heart, I took a dive/ Won't you come and take a dive with me?” The singer invites the listener to join him in discarding fear, uncertainty, and doubt and to embrace the freedom and possibilities that lie on the other side.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dive" portray a transformative moment experienced by someone who had been living a life characterized by isolation, apathy, and skepticism, but who was awakened to a higher calling, a greater purpose, and a more fulfilling existence. The song is both an invitation to others to take a similar leap of faith and a celebration of the joys and rewards of living without fear of the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
You want to take a dive?
Are you in the mood for adventure or a bold new experience?
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
An excited exclamation of anticipation.
Watch out
Be prepared for something unexpected or amazing.
It's quite all right
Don't worry or be afraid, everything is under control.
Through the night
Stay committed and persevere through challenges or difficult times.
I saw it all from my bubble on the 15th floor
I had a privileged and isolated view of the world, but it left me ignorant and disconnected from reality.
I was so unaware as I sank into my leather chair
I became complacent and indifferent to the needs and struggles of others.
Upon my throne I was known as untouchable
I had power and influence, but I was out of touch with the rest of humanity.
The smoke was creeping in
The negative and harmful aspects of my lifestyle were taking their toll on me.
My castle walls were wearing thin
My defenses were crumbling and I felt vulnerable and exposed.
It took a fire to inspire me to make my move
I needed a crisis or wake-up call to motivate me to change my ways.
Cigarette in a garbage can
A small, seemingly insignificant event triggered a major transformation in my life.
Changed the ways of this corporate man
I broke free from my old habits and embraced a new way of living.
It was time for a radical plan
I realized I needed to take bold and decisive action to turn my life around.
Chorus
An enthusiastic celebration of the transformative power of love and faith.
Follow me through the door to the great unknown
Join me on the exciting journey of discovery and growth.
Something was telling me that this would shape my destiny
I sensed deep down that this was a pivotal moment in my life.
Take my hand, understand You are not alone
I offer you support, encouragement, and companionship on your own journey of growth and healing.
Shame on me if I oppose the stirring of the Holy Ghost
I regret it if I resist or ignore the divine influence in my life.
Heard a voice calling out to me [out to me]
I had a spiritual experience or revelation that changed my life.
I come to set your spirit free [spirit free]
I received a message of liberation and enlightenment from a divine source.
And in Me you are free indeed
If you embrace the divine message and follow it with all your heart, you will find true freedom and fulfillment.
I'm breathing under water [i'm breathin' under]
I'm adapting to a new and challenging environment, just like a deep-sea diver.
I'm sinking like a submarine [a submarine]
I'm surrendering to the transformative power of love and faith, just like a submerging vessel.
Your ocean's so much deeper [i'm goin' deeper]
The divine force that surrounds us is infinitely more profound and mysterious than we can fathom.
Than anything I've ever dreamed
The reality of the divine presence and power exceeds my wildest hopes and expectations.
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
A joyful and enthusiastic expression of wonder and awe.
Jump, jump
An invitation to join in the exciting and liberating experience of diving into the unknown.
Won't You come and take a dive with me
An appeal to the divine force to join us on our journey and guide us toward enlightenment and liberation.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: KEVIN MAX, MARK HELMERMANN, MICHAEL TAIT, TOBY MCKEEHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind