Capitol Christian Music Group

Release Date: October 2nd 2020

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

TobyMac– I’m Sorry (a lament) – Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

1. I’m Sorry (a lament)

Over a year ago as I stood with my wife and a group of friends on the Arbel Cliffs in Israel, our tour guide began to recite by memory the sermon on the mount… completely unannounced. The words of Jesus from Matthew 5, 6 and 7 struck me as If I had never read them before… I realized just how far we have strayed from what Jesus is asking of us. This (song) is simply my response, not judgement. I am deeply sorry for how far we have fallen short. And Godly sorrow leads to repentance. The church is God’s plan, and I love it… that’s why I had to write the song, “I’m sorry.”

MY PRAYER….
FATHER GOD TEACH US YOUR WAYS.
TEACH US TO LOVE THE THINGS YOU LOVE.
TO CARE ABOUT ALL THAT YOU CARE ABOUT.
FORGIVE US FOR WHEN WE HAVE FALLEN SHORT.
AND OPEN OUR EYES TO WHAT YOU HAVE ASKED OF US.
LET US BE YOUR HANDS AND FEET.
GATHER US AND LET US LOOK TO YOU AS ONE,
LAYING DOWN OUR DIFFERENCES, OUR POLITICS, AND OUR EGOS,
HUMBLED IN YOUR PRESENCE. MAY WE BE THE CHURCH,
THE PRESENCE IN THIS WORLD THAT YOU HAVE ASKED US TO BE…
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
AMEN

Tobymac, one third of the revolutionary CCM rock band dcTalk, branched out on his own since the early 2000’s- and the rest is history. Sometimes I think that TobyMac isn’t even human. Maybe he’s an alien or a robot? How else could he accomplish so much in the CCM industry (multiple Grammy and Dove awards, plenty of number 1 singles, and tons more relatable and inspiring melodies) and also still stay so grounded in a music market that is becoming more and more cutthroat and fickle-minded; while at the same time having a constant sound and relevant material for people of all ages and all belief systems? On a more serious note, TobyMac is only 56, and with many recognisable songs such as “City On Our Knees”, “Made To Love”, “Lose My Soul”, “Tonight”, “Me Without You”, “Get Back Up”, “Speak Life”, “Love Broke Thru”, “Feel It”, “Beyond Me”, “Move (Keep Walkin’)”, “Burn For You”, “Gone”, “Atmosphere”, “Everything” and “i just need u.”; the pop/rap extraordinaire has unveiled his most ambitious and daring project yet. A spoken word letter to God or lament, titled “I’m Sorry”. And with this track being so lyrically rick and relevant about how Toby eloquently relays to God that he’s sorry on behalf of the human race for falling short of what He has desired of us; there’s no better way to ‘review’ this song, than to let the track speak for itself. So as you read the lyrics and watch the video, be amazed, and be prayerful and humble towards God. The world may be in ruins right now because of COVID-19… but that doesn’t mean that we can’t be agents of change for God. In fact, this just means that we all need to be active in the faith and vigilant in living wholeheartedly for Jesus. As Toby asks God to ‘wake us up’, we are presented with a track that undoubtedly is 2020’s crowning achievement in terms of songs- no doubt about it!

Even though Toby has time and time again released plenty of high quality albums- with The Elements, This Is Not A Test, Eye On It, Tonight, and Portable Sounds being the projects that have made it big for him – not to mention the live recordings of Alive & Transported and Hits Deep Live as well! (so basically his discography post-Welcome To Diverse City); calls for TobyMac to stop doing solo music and reunite formally with dc Talk remain, and become louder by the day. Especially since dc talk reunited for their cruise in 2017 and in 2019- however as of this point, I believe Toby is doing what God has called him to do, and right now that’s solo music. In fact, I reckon Toby will keep doing music for the foreseeable future, and maybe longer. Musicians and artists do not retire, as each person still has much more to say; but rather they keep going until they feel and believe that they have said enough and don’t need to say anything else. For Toby though, in 2020; I reckon he’s got so much more to say. These two songs “21 Years” and now “I’m Sorry” are proof of that- and whenever Toby drops his next album (2021?), I know it will be big- and even now I have high hopes for it, even if the track list isn’t confirmed and the bulk of the songs not written yet! Trust me- listen to The Elements, and tell me you’re not impressed and tell me that Toby’s best days are behind him! Well done Toby- I can’t wait to hear more of what God is doing in your life.

No, no, no
No, no

We started out strong
But somewhere along
We lost our way
Done things in Your name
I’m so ashamed
I don’t have the words to say
We’ve killed and destroyed
Stolen and blamed
All in Your name
You told us to give
Told us to love
But we chose to take
You laid down Your life
Put power aside
Showed us the Way and the Truth
We roll into church
Open the Word
And forget that we’re called to include

Now, it’s long overdue
But I can’t dilute
What we seem to havе put on the shelf
I can’t speak for us all
But I gotta bеlieve
I’m speakin’ for more than myself
When I say…

I’m sorry, I’m sorry
No, no, no
I’m sorry, so sorry
No, no, no
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
No, no, no
I’m sorry, so sorry
No, no, no

We say that we’re one
But we’re broken up
By anything that can divide
Our color o’ skin
The clothes we’re in
That valley’s deep and wide
We overlook the broken
The homeless
And discard the poor
While we celebrate the rich and beautiful
With a wide-open door
I’m sorry we’re nothing like You
You chose to bear a Cross
We choose to give You parts of us
And rarely the parts that cost

Now, it’s long overdue
But I can’t dilute
What we seem to have put on the shelf
I can’t speak for us all
But I gotta believe
I’m speakin’ for more than myself
When I say…

I’m sorry, I’m sorry
No, no, no
I’m sorry, so sorry
No, no, no
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
No, no, no
I’m sorry, so sorry
No, no, no

Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up, Lord
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up, Lord
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up

I’m sorry, I’m sorry
No, no, no
I’m sorry, so sorry
No, no, no
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
No, no, no
I’m sorry, so sorry
No, no, no

Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up, Lord
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up, Lord

Blessed are the poor in spirit
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
Blessed are they that mourn
For they shall be comforted
Blessed are the meek
For they shall inherit the Earth
Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness
For they shall be filled
Blessed are the merciful
For they shall obtain mercy
Blessed are the pure in heart
For they shall see God
Blessed are the peacemakers
For they shall be called the children of God
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake

Score: 5/5

RIYL: Switchfoot, Britt Nicole, Lecrae, GAWVI, Tauren Wells, Tenth Avenue North