Tonight (TobyMac album)

Summary

Tonight is the fourth full-length solo album by Christian hip hop artist TobyMac. It is the follow-up album to his 2007 release Portable Sounds, and was released on February 5, 2010.[5] The Deluxe Version of the album contains a DVD with interviews with Toby about the songs on the record, the making of this record and an inside look at the Diverse City Band.[6] The album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, selling 79,000 units in its first week.[7] As of early November 2010, the album has sold over 315,000 copies.[8]

Tonight
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 5, 2010 (2010-02-05)
Recorded2009
Genre
Length47:40
LabelForeFront
ProducerToby McKeehan, Christopher Stevens, Jamie Moore, David Wyatt
TobyMac chronology
Alive and Transported
(2008)
Tonight
(2010)
Christmas in Diverse City
(2011)
Singles from Tonight
  1. "City on Our Knees"
    Released: August 14, 2009
  2. "ShowStopper"
    Released: January 19, 2010
  3. "Get Back Up"
    Released: January 26, 2010
  4. "Hold On"
    Released: October 19, 2010
  5. "Tonight"
    Released: March 21, 2011
  6. "Start Somewhere"
    Released: October 10, 2011
  7. "Changed Forever"
    Released: October 10, 2011
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christianity Today[2]
The Washington Postunfavorable[3]
Jesus Freak Hideout[4]

Recording edit

When asked about the album by stereotruth.net Toby had the following to say about the emotions that went into producing it; "The recording process means a lot to me, and I don't approach what I do haphazardly. I have a lot of passion when it comes to my records. I don't know if it's good or bad, but there's this range of emotions that come with making a record. Music is something that can actually open people’s minds to who God is. Music will never change the world, but God can choose to use music, and that's what I count on. I want my songs to be said in a way that anyone can relate to them. I want them to move people's lives forward; move people toward God, and if I'm accomplishing that, whether or not anyone loves this record, as long as I feel like that is what I’m doing, then I feel like my job is done."[6]

Singles edit

"City on Our Knees" was released as the lead single from the album on August 14, 2009. It peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart.

On January 26, 2010, "Get Back Up" was released as the album's second single. The song also peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart. He donated 100% of his artist royalties from first week sales of the single to relief efforts for Haiti after the earthquake that devastated the country.[9]

The third single from the album, "Hold On", was released on October 19, 2010.

"Tonight" was released as the fourth single on March 21, 2011.[10] It was used as the theme for MLB Network's spring training team preview show, 30 Clubs in 30 Days, as well as being used in a commercial for America's Got Talent.[citation needed] A music video for the song was released on February 8, 2010.[11]

Both "Start Somewhere" and "Changed Forever" impacted Christian radio as the fifth and sixth singles from the album on October 10, 2011.[12]

Other songs edit

"Showstopper" was used as a part of the NFL Thursday Night Football promotional material, and the 2009 World Series.[13] It also has been the official theme song for the WWE Fatal 4-Way Pay-Per View event, and the song was also promoted for ESPY's Best US Male Olympian.[citation needed] "Showstopper" and "Funky Jesus Music" were both premiered at the Winter Wonder Slam 09 Tour. "Funky Jesus Music" was included on the "Hits Deep Live" album. On "Hits Deep Live" when TobyMac tells the crowd to say, "Ola Ola Eh" this is a reference to the song Sweet Dreams (La Bouche song) by La Bouche.[14]

Accolades edit

The album won a Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 42nd GMA Dove Awards. The songs "Get Back Up", "Tonight" and "Showstopper" were also nominated.[15]

Track listing edit

Standard edition[16]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Tonight" (featuring John Cooper of Skillet)Toby McKeehan, Christopher Stevens, Cary BarloweMcKeehan, Stevens4:21
2."Get Back Up"McKeehan, Barlowe, Jamie Moore, Aaron RiceMcKeehan, Stevens3:15
3."Funky Jesus Music" (featuring Beckah Shae and Siti Monroe)McKeehan, Dave Wyatt, Brian Haley, Byron ChambersMcKeehan, Wyatt3:20
4."City On Our Knees"McKeehan, Moore, BarloweMcKeehan, Moore4:26
5."ShowStopper"McKeehan, StevensMcKeehan, Stevens2:50
6."Changed Forever" (featuring Nirva Ready)McKeehan, StevensMcKeehan, Stevens3:36
7."Hold On"McKeehan, Barlowe, Jesse FrasureMcKeehan, Stevens4:00
8."LoudNClear" (TruDog 10)McKeehan, StevensMcKeehan, Stevens1:34
9."Hey Devil"McKeehan, Tim Rosenau, StevensMcKeehan, Stevens3:15
10."Wonderin'" (featuring Matthew Thiessen of Relient K)McKeehan, StevensMcKeehan, Stevens3:40
11."Captured"McKeehan, Rosenau, StevensMcKeehan, Stevens3:37
12."Start Somewhere"McKeehan, Siti Monroe, StevensMcKeehan, Stevens3:36
13."Break Open the Sky" (featuring Israel Houghton)McKeehan, Mark Stuart, Ed CashMcKeehan, Stevens4:21
Total length:45:49
Digital bonus track[17]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."City on Our Knees" (Radio Version)McKeehan, Moore, BarloweMcKeehan, Moore4:33
Total length:50:22
Deluxe edition[18]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."Captured" (KP Remix)McKeehan, Rosenau, StevensMcKeehan, Stevens, KP[a]3:43
15."Hold On" (Telemitry Remix)McKeehan, Barlowe, FrasureMcKeehan, Stevens, Telemitry[a]4:06
16."Tonight" (featuring John Cooper) (New Day Remix)McKeehan, Stevens, BarloweMcKeehan, Stevens, New Day[a]4:38
Deluxe edition DVD[18]
No.TitleLength
1."Making of the Album"12:42
2."From Studio to Stage"6:17
3."Behind the Songs of Tonight" 
4."Gospel Music Channel's Faith and Fame: TobyMac" 
iTunes Store deluxe edition[19]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."City on Our Knees" (Radio Version)McKeehan, Moore, BarloweMcKeehan, Moore4:33
15."Captured" (KP Remix)McKeehan, Rosenau, StevensMcKeehan, Stevens, KP[a]3:43
16."Hold On" (Telemitry Remix)McKeehan, Barlowe, FrasureMcKeehan, Stevens, Telemitry[a]4:06
17."Tonight" (featuring John Cooper) (New Day Remix)McKeehan, Stevens, BarloweMcKeehan, Stevens, New Day[a]4:38
18."Making of the Album Tonight" (Video)  12:42
19."From Studio to Stage" (Video)  6:17

Notes

  • [a] signifies a remixer.

Personnel edit

  • Toby McKeehan - vocals, guitars, programming, keyboards
  • Christopher Stevens - guitars, programming, keyboards, drums, background vocals
  • David Wyatt - programming, keys
  • Cary Barlowe - guitars, acoustic guitar, background vocals
  • Tim Rosenau - guitars, trumpet
  • Jesse Frasure - programming, keyboards, background vocals
  • Brian Haley - drums
  • Justin York - guitars
  • Tony Lucido - bass
  • Byron "Mr. TalkBox" Chambers - talkbox
  • Jamie Moore - keyboards, programming
  • Wendell Henry - drums
  • John Cooper - background vocals on "Tonight"
  • Paul Moak - electric guitar
  • Michael Ripoll - guitars
  • Mike Payne - guitar, banjo, electric guitar
  • Israel Houghton - background vocals on "Break Open the Sky"
  • Taylor Stevens - piano
  • Adam Nitti - bass
  • DJ Maj - DJ
  • Sammy Sylvester - bass, electric guitar
  • Leif Shires - trumpet
  • Craig Swift - saxophone
  • Kenn Hughes - trombone
  • Nirva Dorsaint-Ready - background vocals
  • Gabriel Patillo - background vocals
  • Jason Eskridge - background vocals
  • Siti Monroe - background vocals
  • Matthew Thiessen - background vocals on "Wonderin'"
  • Ayiesha Woods - background vocals
  • Jovaun Woods - background vocals

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[27] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ Monger, James. "Album review: TobyMac, "Tonight"". Allmusic. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
  2. ^ "Album review: TobyMac, "Tonight"". Christianity Today. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
  3. ^ Stewart, Allison. "Album review: TobyMac, "Tonight"". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
  4. ^ Gelwicks, Roger. "TobyMac,"Tonight" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
  5. ^ "Tonight TobyMac on Spotify". Spotify. Spotify AB. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Miller, Rodney (December 12, 2009). "TobyMac Tonight Drops On February 9th". StereoTruth.net.
  7. ^ "Sade's 'Soldier' Sizzles At No. 1 On Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  8. ^ "TobyMac Releases New DVD TobyMac: Moving Pictures Featuring His Entire Work of Music Videos". Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  9. ^ "Get Back Up by tobyMac - Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  10. ^ "Future Releases for Christian Radio Stations - Free New Songs from Music Artists". AllAccess Music Group. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  11. ^ "TobyMac - Tonight - YouTube". YouTube. February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  12. ^ "Future Releases for Christian Radio Stations - Free New Songs from Music Artists". AllAccess Music Group. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  13. ^ "Show stopper! - NFL Videos". NFL. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  14. ^ TobyMac - Funky Jesus Music (Live) ft. Hollyn
  15. ^ 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Archived July 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine on DoveAwards.com
  16. ^ "TobyMac - Tonight - Amazon.com Music". Amazon. February 9, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  17. ^ "TobyMac: Tonight - Music on Google Play". Google Play. February 9, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Tonight CD/DVD Deluxe Edition: TobyMac - Christianbook.com". Christian Book Distributors. February 9, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  19. ^ "Tonight (Deluxe Edition) by tobyMac on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). February 9, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  20. ^ "tobyMac Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  21. ^ "tobyMac Chart History (Top Catalog Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  22. ^ "tobyMac Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  23. ^ "tobyMac Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link] Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  24. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  25. ^ "Top Christian Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  26. ^ "Top Christian Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  27. ^ "American album certifications – TobyMac – Tonight". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 10, 2016.