Busting The Bland That Is Christian Music

Tags

christian music, Music, Toby Mac

A while back I had talked about Christian Music and how, for the most part, it under performs.

Not that there are not great musicians and singers, but that lyrically and sometimes overall, it is built more for the church building than for cranking in the car and truly just enjoying outside of Sunday service.

One of the artists tends to kind of “bust the bland” ,if you would, of Christian music is Toby Mac. He is not the only one, but his newest video (below), shows what I hope is more to come from Christian artists.

Check out Toby Mac’s new video…and then tell me…Which Christian artists do you think “Bust The Bland”?

Church Music-Lyrically BLAH

Tags

christian music, church, Dierks Bentley, Music, worship

Several people on the blog circus have written about this in the last little bit so I thought I would throw my hat into the ring and give my opinion which is worth about 2 cents…well about 1 cent now with some currency devaluation

The question is this…Why can’t Christian music do something more creative with its lyrics?  Some of the best musicians in the industry are Christian musicians but they still have trouble breaking into that stratosphere of sales.  Why?

I have a long time joke running with a friend who is a Christian musician that I think starts to answer this.

I told him once I heard his song on XM Radio while traveling.  He asked me which one.  I said “The one that goes Jesus Jesus Jesus, Hallelujah.”  I was kidding of course when I said it, but really half serious.

If you really listen to the bulk of Christian Music, the lyrics never change.

A typical Christian song takes a common verse from the bible and then spins off its lyrics from there.

I think this music is perfect for worship and celebrating God on Sundays or whenever you feel the need to be spiritually inspired.

However, when you are looking to fulfil your inner music junkie it just won’t do.

Here is why?

Music is Visual.  Yep visual!

The greatest songs ever written have a way of creating a visual aspect to their sound and lyrics.

Let me ask you this.  How many times have you heard a song that came out when you were in High School or College and it takes you back to a memory of something you were doing or a person you were dating?  How many times have you listened to a song, a new release, that you can see the characters in the song acting out the lyrics that are being sung?

Country music has done a phenomenal job of doing this.  It tells a story.  A story that you can see unfolding in front of your eyes.

Let me give you an example.  I do this particular example for my great friend Ernie.  He particularly likes the Bo Duke reference

It is from Dierks Bentley but it makes my point.  You can see what is happening in the lyrics.

Becky was a beauty from South Alabama
Her Daddy had a hard lock and nine pound hammer
Think He even did a little time in the slammer
What was I thinking?
She snuck out one night and met me by the front gate
Her daddy came out waving that twelve gauge
We tore out the drive, he peppered my tailgate
What was I thinking?

Oh I knew there’d be Hell to pay,
But that crossed my mind a little too late!

Chorus
Cuz’ I was thinking ‘bout a little white tank top sitting right there in the middle by me
I was thinking about a long kiss man just gotta get goin’ with a night like me
Well I know what I was feeling But What was I thinking?
But What was I thinking?

What was I thinking?

By the county line the cops were nipping on our heels
Pulled off the road kicked it to 4 wheel
Shut off the lights, tore through a corn field
What was I thinking?
Out the other side she was hollerin’ “Faster!�?
Took the third road had the radio blastin’
Hit the Honky Tonk for a little close dancin’
What was I thinking?

Oh I knew there’d be Hell to pay,
But that crossed my mind a little too late!

Chorus

When a mountain of a man with a “Born to Kill�? tattoo
tried to cut in I knocked out his front tooth
Ran outside hood sliding like Bo Duke
What was I thinking?
I finally got her home half past too late
Her daddy’s in a lawn chair sittin’ in the driveway
Put it in park as he started my way,
What was I thinking?

Oh What was I thinking?
Oh What was I thinking?

And she gave a come and get me grin,
And like a bullet we were gone again!

This is not even close to the best example I could use but it makes my point.   And I had to do it for Ernie.

Christian Music as a whole fails to do this.  It struggles to create a visual link between the music and the story.

My challenge to Christian musicians…create visual pieces of music and you will reach more of the mainstream.  It is not about music style, genre, or singer….music is about people listening and leaving their own world for a short time.  Leaving their troubles and stress and visualizing a different place to unwind.

Thoughts?  Have a Christian Artist that bucks the norm?  Share it with us!

my 1 1/2 cents..valuation went up while I was writing!

One Song- One Memory

Tags

7eleven, K-Mart, Music, Olympia WA, Rock Me Amadeus

Do you have a song that takes you back in time?

Back in time to a special moment in your life that no matter what you are doing it hits you.

A memory that you can still smell the air, feel the weather and see the person or event like it was an hour ago.

I have several especially from the mid to late 80′s.  Songs that just tend to spark those memories of High School and college and take me back to a time when there wasn’t so much happening in my life.

Lately, one has been running through my head like a freight train.

Rock Me Amadeus- I know…a cheesy song but I can remember hanging with my friends Marty and Will, cruising around Olympia, WA in Marty’s Nova (we called in his Grandma Mobile).  Baby blue in color with a stereo straight from K-Mart Automotive.  The song cranking (well as much as you can crank a K-Mart stereo) as we head by 7 Eleven for the hottest new drink in town, the Big Gulp.  Then off to cruise for some chicks.  Downtown Olympia with the windows down (when not raining) and the wind blowing no matter what the temperature outside.

Good times.

What about you?  What song takes you back to a vivid memory?

Editing The Music

Tags

Christian, Lyrics, Music

OK.  I am going to step into it now…but before you send me a bunch of hate e-mail, hear me out.

I do not believe music should be lyrically edited.  OMG!  Did he say what I think he said?  Yep.  Even the worst of lyrics should be left as they are.

Now as a Christian, I have many friends who strongly disagree with my position. You might even goes as far as to say that I am not upholding my faith because I believe this way..I think the exact opposite.  But here is why.

Music is art.  An artist uses their art form to relay a message to the world on their view of that world.  It might be positive, negative, disgusting, or immoral.  But the reality is, it is what the artist is feeling at the time it is developed.   It gives us a special glimpse.  How many times do you think your Pastor has looked into his audience and said, I wish I knew what they were really feeling and thinking?

Now, continuing on from this point.  I also feel that by really taking a close look at what people are listening to, you can also get a gauge on where people are in their lives.  Now, I think you need to eliminate the odd pieces of music that has a catchy beat and some bizarre lyrics and the person just loves to dance in front of the mirror to….but if you really check out what someone listens to it is like a doorway to their minds. 

I have a very simple philosophy on those “artists” who go completely against the fray and write in a vulgar manor strictly to get a rise from society.  I realize they do exist.  If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.  Don’t make a ruckus about it, it only brings attention to them.  Ignore, and don’t buy, they will go away….broke.  Worried about your kids getting it, educate them.  Teach them.  Show them why this is not a good choice.  Show them that this group is not art, they are scum.

And finally, how much stronger would our relationship with God be as Christians, if we could express ourselves like an artist or musician does without fear of editing the good, the bad, maybe even the vulgar?

For all of you music lovers…Do you think music should be edited?

and for you artists and musicians…Do you think music should be edited?

Lyrics- Your Favorite?

Tags

Harvey Danger, Lyrics, Music, Plain White Tee's

I was listening to a song that I have not heard in a while and ran across a lyric that is one of my favorites.

I’ve been around the world and found that only stupid people are breeding

I have always been really into music but I am especially into lyrics.  To me it is what power a song.  Lyrics can take a piece of music that would otherwise be brilliant and kill it.  Or, they can take a piece of music that without them would be boring.

For example..Hey There by the Plain White Tee’s….musically not significant but with lyrics a song that not only charted but let you imagine the scene being played out.

So here is my question:  What is/are your favorite lyrics?  Why?

coming soon: Music, Should it be edited?

What’s On Your iPod?

Tags

ACDC, Big and Rich, Bored Again Christian, CEO Exchange, Clark Howard, Dave Ramsey, Garth Brooks, HockeyBuzz, iPod, Jason Mraz, Jeremy Camp, Killers, Metalica, Music, Nickleback, Queensryche, Sir Mix A Lot, Taylor Swift, Tiki Bar, Todd Smith, Van Halen

Some one sent me an email today and said they would love to know what is on my iPod.  They wanted to know what music made me tick.

Really…does music say something about me?

Well, Here is what is currently on my device.

Podcasts:  Dave Ramsey, Clark Howard, Tiki Bar (Video), HockeyBuzz, CEO Exchange, Bored Again Christian- I have others that I am trying but haven’t decided if I love them enough to list them.

Music:  Wow, this list is really long so I will just hit on my favorites.  I am completely serious when I say I have everything from Manson to Dixie Chics (don’t even go there).  My Favorites in music: Killers, Jeremy Camp, Todd Smith, ACDC, Van Halen, Big and Rich, Taylor Swift, Nickleback, Sir Mix A Lot(Yeah I go old school), Garth Brooks, Jason Mraz, Queensryche and Metalica.

So what does this say about me?  What should I have that is new, cool and probably never heard of?  What do you have on your iPod?

My Favorite Song- Part 2

Tags

Jason Mraz, lyric, Music

A long while back I gave you part one of my favorite songs.

As the summer has passed and many downloads later, I have found another piece of music that I find absolutely brilliant.

It is very rare for me to find a piece of music that takes me somewhere in my mind without seeing the video.  It is also pretty rare for me to hear a loop or a lyric that is completely unique and has amazing flow.

Do you have any new music that you absolutely love?  What is it?

Here is my new favorite song…enjoy.

 

 

First

Your Song

Tags

Life, Music

Do you have that “Song” that provides a vivid memory of your past? A song that takes you to a place of peace or gets you fired up for the day? A song that sparks a fond memory of your children or loved ones?

Here is mine. Maybe a bit corny but for some reason this song is one of my favorites. I heard it for the first time while in Hawaii last year with my wife and no matter when I hear it, I relive the air, the beach and scenery of Hawaii.

Let me know- what is your song?

One disclaimer- the video. Not sure where I stand on that but love the music!