I am looking for music about God that does not suck.
Now, I know I’ve preached on this topic before, and the answer is relatively easy. My premise is flawed because mathematically, my request is in trouble right out of the gate.
Unfortunately, there is this phenomenon, and I only have anecdotal evidence to prove it, but people who have been gifted with real talent are 100 percent less likely to come to the Lord. If you’ve got it goin’ on, you can rely on your own success for fulfillment, and you might be less likely to think about the fact that you are a wretch and need salvation.
If you suck at life, you’re more likely to seek solace in God, where love is guaranteed, and where reward is not dependent on ability. It’s an all-inclusive club, which is good for mankind’s hope of eternal life, but bad for Christian culture here on earth.
This is why the majority of Christians are largely awkward and socially inept. Let alone musically talented. And this is why, although God is the source of infinite creativity in all of the universe, we are stuck with the Left Behind series. WTF.
I hope Kirk Cameron does not read this blog.
I have found a few spiritual tunes I can stomach, including Pedro the Lion, (I don’t care if he’s not actually a tormented believer. He sure sings like one.) The Blind Boys of Alabama and Lauryn Hill. I also like Johnny Cash, Over the Rhine, Tom Waits, Gillian Welch and even our own Southeast Engine, all of whom have some spiritual overtones. Switchfoot is borderline nausea for me. But I like all bluegrass songs ever written.
Here are some lyrics that embody the kind of spiritual song formula I prefer. This is the Blind Boys from Alabama:
People get ready
There’s a train a-coming
You don’t need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don’t need no ticket
You just thank the lord
People get ready
For the train to jordan
Picking up passengers
From coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There’s room for all
Among the loved the most
There ain’t no room
For the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just
To save his own
Have pity on those
Whose chances are thinner
Cause there’s no hiding place
From the kingdom’s throne
So people get ready
For the train a-comin’
You don’t need no baggage
You just get on board !
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don’t need no ticket
You just thank, you just thank the lord
Here is an example of everything I hate in a worship song:
In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness You are there
In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait only for You
Cause, I want to know You more
[Chorus]
I want to know You
I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more
I want to touch You
I want to see Your face
I want to know You more
I am reaching for the highest goal
That I might receive the prize
Pressing onward, pushing every hindrance aside
Out of my way
Cause, I want to know You more.
No, I don’t want to sing about touching God in the secret place, and I don’t want to see the phrase “pushing every hindrance aside” in any of the lyrics. It’s God we’re singing about, here, people. Don’t try to muddy it up with your thoughts and observations or your sweet guitar solos. I need you to Simplify.
I want a singer who doesn’t ignore the sinful nature of man, preferably a tormented soul, and I would prefer at least three old-timey references. Trains are good. Or floods. Maybe prison? I also want someone to sound like they’ve known a hard day’s work. Not, like, a slave. But kind of. I think if maybe I just disqualify all male songwriters under the age of 40, I could eliminate a lot of the problem. And if the artist has ever worn skinny jeans or spiked their hair, you are not permitted to enter their name into the contest.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
No related posts.