Scars by tobyMac - Songfacts

Album: The Elements (2018)

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This deeply personal song finds TobyMac processing life as a Christian husband, father and artist. He addresses his firstborn son Truett, who had just turned 20 when TobyMac penned the tune.

So lift your head, lift your head
Lift your head to where your help comes from
Yeah, you, you're not alone
We've all been there
Scars come with livin'

TobyMac told Billboard he "had a few people in mind" when he wrote the song, but he started subconsciously focusing on his son, telling Truett that life can start throwing heavy things at times. "I wanted him to know that he's not alone when the world might get the best of him from time to time," he continued. "When he looks up and he's got some scars, I wanted him to know that we all face those things and that he's not alone in it."
Truett McKeehan passed away on October 25, 2019, about a year after the song was released. He was just 21 years old.

TobyMac paid tribute to his late son as someone who had an "untameable grand personality and dreams to match"; this is similar to the way Truett is portrayed in this song's lyrics.

Boomin' like a thunder
Chasin' life with wonder
With fire that could light a room

Comments: 10

HeykipWow surprised by comments projecting! I enjoy Tmac on the radio here in Las Vegas Nevada sos radio dot net ! Love music happy resurrection Sunday
Ryan from IndianaKay missed it completely
Easton from SchoolThis song is great
S. Hart from TexasWow. Saying all Christian songs should “talk about the greatness of God and leave the personal lyrics to the side” is like saying every sermon from a preacher should only talk about God’s greatness and never say anything else. We all need help in things we’re going through at various times in life, and we need to hear from others (and to tell each other) that we’re not alone, that we are not the only ones who have to deal with various struggles, and be encouraged by hearing that God has gotten others through various struggles and therefore we know He will get us through them as well.
Maddie ThomasChurch song
Extio from AlabamaHe clearly is talking important a heavy life things. And he says turn to God for them. How much more Christian can you possibly be than the trust God in everyday things? No this song is the pentacle of how to truly be a Christian, and if you think it's empty I think you're empty.
Jer from MnNGL Kay's comment upsets me.
Sarita from Sarasota Kay from New Mexico-your comment shows 2 things: 1. you do not know Toby personally
2. You have a critical and judgmental spirit.
Let me “Speak Truth” from someone who has known him for more than 20 years. His motivation is to bring glory to our Lord and Savior...period. He loves Jesus Christ first and foremost...he loves his family...he cares for those who work with him and he cares for his fans....thought you’d like to know this, Kay.
Lin from IndianaAs a Christian still growing in her faith, only 41 years old, but here's what's on the radio which is the free option for music I am grateful for artists like TobyMac. it is said in several websites this is a song written for his son in a few other folks he had in mind. The song is obviously telling the listener that you should turn to God. God is what lifts you up. There's the Christian aspect of the song! it gets old reading posts by people who are coming across as holier-than-thou because the Christian artist isn't Christian enough for them. I'm grateful this song is not about doing meth I'm grateful this song doesn't have the b word in it nor the n-word. I'm grateful this song isn't about physically hurting somebody or having sex with somebody you just met. I don't hear anything in this song that is going against the Christian faith. As a Christian I'm not supposed to judge other people hip. As a human I do it all the time even though I know it's a sin. As do others. The fact is this song is referring to going to God because that's our only way of surviving in this world, by turning to God for our help. I disagree that the song is completely empty and I am not going to judge him by saying this is not led by the holy spirit because that's my opinion, and I don't know how the Holy Spirit works all the time. I also want to point out there's nothing wrong with having lots of money while you live on this planet it's what you do with that money pretty sure TobyMac support some pretty good causes with his money not to mention he is one of the artists that comes around on the cheap shows that go through different towns every year. So you don't necessarily have to pay $60, $80, or $200 to see him perform. I hope if you hear this song and read the lyrics it lift your spirits as much as it does my own.
Kay from New MexicoThis song just like many others by Tobymac is completely empty. As a "Christian" singer, his songs should be led by the Holy Spirit and talk about the greatness of God. leave the personal lyrics to the side. There's already too much of that in the secular music. Personally I feel like Tobymac is more interested in fame than to seek the Kingdom of God. Just a quick reminder, earthly things are only temporary.
God bless!

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Soul Bossa NovaQuincy Jones

The Austin Powers theme is "Soul Bossa Nova," written by Quincy Jones in 1962 - the same year the first James Bond movie was released.

Nobody Does It BetterCarly Simon

"Nobody Does It Better" by Carly Simon was used in the film The Spy Who Loved Me. It was the first James Bond song not named after the movie.

Doctor My EyesJackson Browne

A problem with his eyes gave Jackson Browne the idea for "Doctor My Eyes," which became a song about a man whose mental health suffers when he sees the world for what it really is.

Burning Down The HouseTalking Heads

"Burning Down The House" by Talking Heads was inspired by chant band members heard at a P-Funk show where the crowd yelled, "burn down the house... burn down the house."