Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)

"Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)"
"Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)"
Single by TobyMac
from the album Life After Death
Released	February 19, 2021
Genre	CCM; pop rock;
Length	3:01
Label	ForeFront; Capitol CMG;
Songwriters	Micah Kuiper; Toby McKeehan;
Producers	Micah Kuiper; Toby McKeehan;
TobyMac singles chronology
Music videos
	"Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)" on YouTube
	"Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)" (Live) on YouTube

"Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)" is a song by American Contemporary Christian artist TobyMac as the third single from his ninth studio album Life After Death. The song was released on February 19, 2021.^[1] TobyMac collaborated with Micah Kuiper in songwriting and production of the single.^[2]

"Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)" peaked at No. 24 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart,^[3] and at No. 3 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.^[4] The music video of the song won the GMA Dove Award for Short Form Video of the Year at the 2021 GMA Dove Awards.

Background

TobyMac released "Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)" with its accompanying music video on February 19, 2021.^[5] TobyMac shared the story behind the song, saying:^[6]

I wrote "Help is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" after a season in the valley of sad songs. With a broken heart after losing my firstborn son and stepping almost immediately into quarantine everything was dark. I woke up one day and turned to the Psalms. I read that 'God is rolling up His sleeves.' What beautiful imagery. This picture turned me from having hope to yelling it from the rooftops. The God of all creation is rolling up His sleeves on our behalf. What a promise. We are not forgotten, not at all.

Composition

"Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" is composed in the key of C♯ minor with a tempo of 142 beats per minute and a musical time signature of ⁴
₄.^[7]

Reception

Critical response

Jonathan Andre of 365 Days of Inspiring Media gave a positive review of the song, concluding: "A song that has reminded me of help being on the way during the moments where we so desperately need it, well done Toby for this track, a meaningful one, and one that can remind us of the very hope we have in Christ, that help comes for the weary and downtrodden, and the seemingly all-together, alike."^[8]

Accolades

Awards
Year	Organization	Award	Result	Ref
2021	GMA Dove Awards	Short Form Video of the Year	Won	^[9]

Year-end lists
Publication	Accolade	Rank	Ref.
365 Days Of Inspiring Media	Top 50 Music Videos of 2021	13	^[10]
Jesus Freak Hideout	2022 Staff Picks: Alex Caldwell's Song Picks	4	^[11]

Commercial performance

"Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" debuted at No. 11 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart dated March 6, 2021,^[12] concurrently charting at No. 1 on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart.^[13] It went on to peak at number 3 on the chart, and spent a total of twenty-six consecutive weeks on the Hot Christian Songs Chart.^[14]

The song debuted on the Christian Airplay chart dated February 27, 2021, at No. 35.^[15] "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" reached number one on the Christian Airplay chart dated June 13, 2021, becoming TobyMac's tenth chart-topping entry.^[16]

Music videos

The official music video of "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" was published on TobyMac's YouTube channel on February 19, 2021.^[17] The music video was directed by Eric Welch, and it features TobyMac's son, Judah McKeehan, as a special guest.^[18]

TobyMac released the official live performance video of "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" recorded during the Drive-In Theater Tour stops in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, Dayton, Ohio, and Summersville, Kentucky locations,^[19] on June 11, 2021.^[20]

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic.^[21]

Chris Gehringer — mastering engineer
Serban Ghenea — mixing
Micah Kuiper — producer
TobyMac — primary artist, producer

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)"
Chart (2021)	Peak position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)^[3]	24
US Hot Christian Songs (Billboard)^[4]	3
US Christian Airplay (Billboard)^[22]	1
US Christian AC (Billboard)^[23]	1
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)^[24]	15

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)"
Chart (2021)	Position
US Christian Songs (Billboard)^[25]	9
US Christian Airplay (Billboard)^[26]	4
US Christian AC (Billboard)^[27]	2
US Weekend 22^[28]	1
US Weekend Top 20^[29]	4

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[30]	Gold	500,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)"
Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	February 19, 2021	Digital download streaming	ForeFront Records	^[31]
United States	March 12, 2021	Christian radio	Capitol CMG	^[32]

References

^ "TobyMac shares 'Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)'". Niagara Frontier Publications. February 19, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight) - TobyMac | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "TobyMac Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "TobyMac Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ Young, Abby (February 19, 2021). "TobyMac Drops New Single, "Help is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" | Freeccm.com". Freeccm.com. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "TobyMac New Song/Video 'Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)' | CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. February 19, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight) by TobyMac". MultiTracks. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ Andre, Jonathan (February 23, 2021). "TobyMac – Help is On the Way (Maybe Midnight) – Single | 365 Days Of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "2021 Winners | The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ Andre, Joshua (January 17, 2021). "BEST OF 2021- PART 2: TOP 50 MUSIC VIDEOS OF 2021 | 365 Days Of Inspiring Media". 365 Days Of Inspiring Media. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
^ "JesusfreakHideout.com 2022 Staff Picks". Jesus Freak Hideout. December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
^ "Hot Christian Songs Chart | Billboard". Billboard. September 15, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "Christian Digital Song Sales Chart | Billboard". Billboard. September 15, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight) Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "Christian Airplay | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ Asker, Jim (June 17, 2021). "TobyMac, Tye Tribbett Earn New No. 1s on Christian, Gospel Radio Charts | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "TobyMac - Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight) - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. February 19, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ Longs, Herb (February 20, 2021). "TobyMac Debuts New Single & Music Video "Help Is On The Way" - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ Longs, Herb (June 11, 2021). "TobyMac "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)" Live Video - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "TobyMac - Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight) (Live from the Drive-in Theater Tour 2021) - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. June 11, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight) - TobyMac | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "TobyMac Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "TobyMac Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Christian AC Airplay Chart. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "TobyMac Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "Hot Christian Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^ "Christian Airplay Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^ "Christian AC Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^ "Weekend 22". Podbean. Year-End Chart. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
^ "Weekend Top 20". Podbean. Year-End Chart. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
^ "American single certifications – TobyMac – Help Is On The Way". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
^ "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight) - Single by TobyMac on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. Apple Inc. February 19, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ Capitol CMG Radio (March 12, 2021). "Capitol CMG Radio on Instagram: "Today's the day... add date is here for @tobymac's "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)"! Celebrate by checking out the music video that…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

External links

Lyrics and sheet music for the song on PraiseCharts

[1] "TobyMac shares 'Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)'". Niagara Frontier Publications. February 19, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[AllMusic-2] "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight) - TobyMac | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[Bubbling_Under-3] "TobyMac Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[Hot_Christian_Songs-4] "TobyMac Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[5] Young, Abby (February 19, 2021). "TobyMac Drops New Single, "Help is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" | Freeccm.com". Freeccm.com. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[6] "TobyMac New Song/Video 'Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)' | CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. February 19, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[7] "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight) by TobyMac". MultiTracks. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[365_Inspired-8] Andre, Jonathan (February 23, 2021). "TobyMac – Help is On the Way (Maybe Midnight) – Single | 365 Days Of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[9] "2021 Winners | The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[10] Andre, Joshua (January 17, 2021). "BEST OF 2021- PART 2: TOP 50 MUSIC VIDEOS OF 2021 | 365 Days Of Inspiring Media". 365 Days Of Inspiring Media. Retrieved January 25, 2022.

[11] "JesusfreakHideout.com 2022 Staff Picks". Jesus Freak Hideout. December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.

[12] "Hot Christian Songs Chart | Billboard". Billboard. September 15, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[13] "Christian Digital Song Sales Chart | Billboard". Billboard. September 15, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[14] "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight) Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[15] "Christian Airplay | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[16] Asker, Jim (June 17, 2021). "TobyMac, Tye Tribbett Earn New No. 1s on Christian, Gospel Radio Charts | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[17] "TobyMac - Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight) - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. February 19, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[18] Longs, Herb (February 20, 2021). "TobyMac Debuts New Single & Music Video "Help Is On The Way" - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[19] Longs, Herb (June 11, 2021). "TobyMac "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)" Live Video - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[20] "TobyMac - Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight) (Live from the Drive-in Theater Tour 2021) - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. June 11, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[AllMusic_Credits-21] "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight) - TobyMac | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[sc_Billboardchristianairplay_TobyMac-22] "TobyMac Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[23] "TobyMac Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Christian AC Airplay Chart. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[sc_Billboarddigitalsongs_TobyMac-24] "TobyMac Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[25] "Hot Christian Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2021.

[26] "Christian Airplay Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2021.

[27] "Christian AC Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2021.

[28] "Weekend 22". Podbean. Year-End Chart. Retrieved January 7, 2022.

[29] "Weekend Top 20". Podbean. Year-End Chart. Retrieved January 7, 2022.

[United_StatesTobyMacHelp_Is_On_The_WaysingleCertRef-30] "American single certifications – TobyMac – Help Is On The Way". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 7, 2024.

[Apple_Music-31] "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight) - Single by TobyMac on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. Apple Inc. February 19, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[32] Capitol CMG Radio (March 12, 2021). "Capitol CMG Radio on Instagram: "Today's the day... add date is here for @tobymac's "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)"! Celebrate by checking out the music video that…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

v t e TobyMac
Studio albums	Momentum (2001) Welcome to Diverse City (2004) Portable Sounds (2007) Tonight (2010) Eye on It (2012) This Is Not a Test (2015) The Elements (2018) Life After Death (2022) Heaven on My Mind (2025)
Remix albums	Re:Mix Momentum (2003) Renovating Diverse City (2005) Dubbed and Freq'd: A Remix Project (2012)
Live albums	Alive and Transported (2008)
Christmas albums	Christmas in Diverse City (2011)
Singles	"This Christmas" "Gone" "Made to Love" "I'm for You" "Lose My Soul" "City on Our Knees" "Showstopper" "Get Back Up" "Christmas This Year" "Me Without You" "Love Broke Thru" "I Just Need U" "Everything" "Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)" "Promised Land" "— (Dash)" "Jesus Freak" "Heaven On My Mind"
Related articles	TobyMac discography DC Talk

Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)

Hub talks

Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)

Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)

Hub rules

Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)

Hub overview

Add your contribution

Inside this hub

Media Collections

Timelines

Articles

Notes collections

Notes

Days in Chronicle

Root Wikipedia Article

Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)

Background

Composition

Reception

Critical response

Accolades

Commercial performance

Music videos

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

External links

Add your contribution

Related Hubs