SanChonino SanChonino

Religious pop music sucks.

Religious pop music sucks.

or; love songs to Jesus? No thanks.

I sat here in my little teller cubbyhole at work, hearing the words repeat over and over, in the inane, vacuous, insipid song - "I Can Only Imagine". It's a "cute" little song that deals with what it would be like to see Jesus again and what you would do.

While I guess the sentiment is okay, I found myself wanting to throw the company-supplied radio across the room, out the door, out onto Fairfield Road and under the eardrum-saving wheels of a passing truck.

Why?

Because it's pop music.

Don't get me wrong - there's some (not a lot mind you, but some) good pop out there. But Christian pop is not, nor has it ever been, good pop.

It's cutesy, it's maudlin, it's uninteresting - and it's performed by a bunch of pariahs from the real music industry who are (rightfully) shunned by their more humanistic contemporaries.

I understand the desire to sing praise to God - I do it on a regular basis, and not only in the church building on Sunday (where we're a good, old-fashioned organ-accompanied multitude). But writing and performing these love ballads to Jesus is pathetic.

There is nothing wrong with aiming to write uplifting, morally and lyrically clean music. Nothing at all. Plenty of bands can write music that is that way. Mastodon? They've never cussed in one of their albums - and they write some of the best, most blistering metal you'll ever hear. Rush? Very uplifting ideas behind their songs, without needing to be crass or profane.

But love ballads to Jesus? Save me. Get them away from me. Right now. Please.
7,015 views 48 replies
Reply #26 Top
If you mean the Christian bit - and maybe you do - I was referring of course to the traditional school of christianity, which reveres those who don't have sex outside of marriage or perform the vertical expression of a horizontal desire.


Now, wait a second, you said have sex...not have sex outside of marriage. There's nothing wrong with upholding fidelity as a virtue, cacto.

I got the comment, BTW, just had to give you a LITTLE grief! lol!
Reply #27 Top

Jesus pop makes me gag.  But Jesus rock?  I want to rip my own ears off and then gag on them.

There is just something that seems sacriligeous to me about "praising the Lord" with double bass and metal riffs.  I'll take my religious music a bit more respectful, thanks.

Reply #28 Top
Okay, I'm coming to this very late (seems to be the only way I get to anything here these days) but I just wanted to weigh in with my opinion.

love ballads to Jesus? Save me. Get them away from me. Right now. Please


It makes me want to gag too. There is nothing wrong with positively-messaged music, but a lot of Christian bands write dreck unfit for any discerning listener.

Christian Music is hugely popular


In whose eyes? There might be a contained market for it but it doesn't mean its 'hugely' popular.
Reply #29 Top
In whose eyes? There might be a contained market for it but it doesn't mean its 'hugely' popular.


Actually, in the United States there are many Christian artists who have gone platinum. It is not uncommon to get 50-100,000 in attendance for a Christian music festival. It definitely qualifies as "hugely" popular, at least in the US.
Reply #30 Top
Christian Music is hugely popular


So is gangsta rap. Popularity does not equate quality. I think Jesus pop/rock and gangsta rap suck equally, but just in different ways.
Reply #31 Top
Popularity does not equate quality.


True.

As for my part, I was just defending KFC's statement. I like some Christian music, don't like a lot.
Reply #32 Top
Gideon,

It definitely qualifies as "hugely" popular, at least in the US.


See, this is often the difference between how Americans think and how the rest of the world thinks. To call something "hugely popular", to my thinking, would mean it is popular around the world. We have many artists here in Australia who are well known in Australia but I'm sure most here would have never heard of them before. But I would never think to call them "hugely popular".

Incidentally, the above statement is not intended to be misconstrued as anti-American in any way.
Reply #33 Top
We have many artists here in Australia who are well known in Australia but I'm sure most here would have never heard of them before. But I would never think to call them "hugely popular".


If you sell a million albums, that's hugely popular in any country, maso. By your standard, there are very, VERY few bands who would qualify because most music speaks to language, culture, etc. Of COURSE a Christian band wouldn't have a huge following in a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, or a Shinto nation. It speaks to a certain culture, on that is alien to those cultures.

I like you, man, but yer splitting hairs here! LOL.
Reply #34 Top
here's some actual numbers for the above debate...not that folks round here let facts get in the way of a good argument, lol...

but for the record (pardon the pun)...

2006 TOP-SELLING CHRISTIAN AND GOSPEL MUSIC ALBUMS
(Reflects sales for all titles in the Nielsen Christian SoundScan system sold at Christian and mainstream retail and through digital channels. It excludes Christmas catalog titles.)

1. Precious Memories (Arista/Sony/Provident) - Alan Jackson; 1,288,595 Units sold in 2006
2. Flyleaf (Octone) - Flyleaf; 488,828
3. Hero (GospoCentric) - Kirk Franklin; 424,269
4. Lifesong (Reunion) - Casting Crowns; 398,160
5. WoW Hits 2007 (Sparrow) - Various; 363,395
6. Define the Great Line (T&N)- Underoath; 316,128
7. Coming Up to Breathe (INO) - MercyMe; 309,423
8. WoW Gospel 2006 (Verity) - Various; 301,534
9. Wherever You Are (Essential) - Third Day; 295,721
10. Piece of My Passion (Flow) - Juanita Bynum; 287,028
11. WoW Hits 2006 (Sparrow) - Various; 277,663
12. Arriving (Sixsteprecords) - Chris Tomlin; 253,757
13. Mary Mary (Columbia/Integrity) - Mary Mary; 252,323
14. WoW Worship Aqua (Provident) - Various; 234,557
15. Testify (Atlantic) - P.O.D.; 225,850
16. All I Really Want for Christmas (Sparrow) - Steven Curtis Chapman; 220,836
17. Restored (BEC Recordings) - Jeremy Camp; 216,175
18. See The Morning (Sixsteprecords) - Chris Tomlin; 203,095
19. Three Wooden Crosses (Word) - Various; 193,867
20. Open the Eyes of My Heart (INO) - Various; 188,483
21. Casting Crowns (Reunion) - Casting Crowns; 175,240
22. Chronicles of Narnia (Disney/EMICMG) - Various; 162,352
23. Day by Day (Atlantic) - Yolanda Adams; 156,224
24. Hearts of the Innocent (BEC Recordings) - Kutless; 156,052
25. MMHMM (Gotee) - Relient K; 155,585

now, to me, the alan jackson listing is a bit bogus, and appears to be in there to show at least 1 went platinum, which really didn't happen. if you take out the country superstar (for whom, 1 million in sales is kind of weak for one of his releases, which are more often multi-platinum)...none of the artists even reached gold status in 2006. of course, some of these might have hit that with sales in other years, but i'm not diggin that hard...as i don't care all that much...

and the term "hugely popular" is not a very good choice, imho. regionally, nationally or internationally popular might be a more accurate description. because that is usually how musical artists achieve fame...start local thru international more often than not.
Reply #35 Top
and the term "hugely popular" is not a very good choice, imho.


Oh, good grief. Quibbling over words, now, Sean.

A search for "platinum Christian music albums" showed Casting Crowns, Amy Grant, Cheryl Keagy and others...again with a "lazy" search. This doesn't take into account "crossover" albums from artists not considered "Christian" artists (ever hear of Elvis Presley or Johnny Cash?)

Like I said, if the standard for "hugely popular" is that you have a following in the majority of countries on the planet, then very few artists qualify. And despite what some people want to think, hugely popular IS a relative term. Should we in America write off Bollywood actresses simply because WE'VE never heard of them? That's the exact same level of arrogance displayed by someone who writes off American Christian music artists because they've never heard of them in Australia.

If you don't like Christian pop music, don't listen to it. I hate hip-hop and you won't find a hip-hop CD in my collection. But I could never deny its popularity.
Reply #36 Top
I couldn't disagree more. I love contemporary Christian music (and so do a lot of other people judging from the success of it). I don't have a problem with someone expressing their love of God in a song. I'd rather hear that than something about big butts or songs that beat around the bush and are "feel good" with no real substance.

Don't get me wrong, I like just about every genre, some more than others.

I don't see Christian artists as trying to "be" like pop artists. They go where they feel led and frankly I feel blessed to hear something OTHER than a friggin organ which is one of my least favorite instruments.

I love this woman...Nicole C Mullen...I don't know how anyone can listen to her and think she has no talent.

WWW Link
Reply #37 Top
Gid,

yer splitting hairs here!


Yeah, okay, I am. But when you've got as little coverage as I have, splitting 'em is the only way I know to make it like I got a full head o'hair LOL

I actually didn't read your initial response properly (yeah, all two sentences of it, I know). I saw the 50,000 - 100,000 part and thought "but that doesn't constitute 'hugely' popular in the music world". So not only did I split hairs but I went off half-cocked too. Man, if I'm going to put my foot in it, I may as well immerse myself LOL

Sean,

Interesting figures... The only band on the list I've heard of is P.O.D. and I thought they were some dreadful metal band.
Reply #38 Top
Gid ('scuse me San cho for going off-topic)

I have to say your JU Writers Challenge was a beauty but I have been so busy in RL I haven't had much of a chance to do any writing of late. I'd still like to have a crack at your challenge if you're happy to accept late entries.
Reply #39 Top
I know exactly what you mean...I hate this pop Christian 'lord I life your name on high' stuff. Most of it is just so cheesy. I think what kills me are the lyrics. We sing a lot of those songs for my church choir, but the music isn't so bad, but when you're singing the word "I pledge allegiance to the lamb" it's hard to take the music seriously.
Reply #40 Top
I have to say your JU Writers Challenge was a beauty but I have been so busy in RL I haven't had much of a chance to do any writing of late. I'd still like to have a crack at your challenge if you're happy to accept late entries.


Always happy to hear them
Reply #41 Top
when you're singing the word "I pledge allegiance to the lamb" it's hard to take the music seriously.


I haven't heard that yet . . . and it's a good thing. Nothing could stop the hearty guffaws . . .
Reply #42 Top
one part of religious music that i do very much enjoy and draw inspiration from is blugrass and traditional country gospel.

some of the people who patronize it annoy me tho, kind of like with golf (i enjoy the game of golf, but golfers are an annoying breed of ex-jocks and wanabees who are trying to project their mochismo lamely on the lynx) . with gospel crowds, the picture of the elderly lady, fresh from her play date with a "Tammy Faye Baker make-up kit" with a snooty smirk on her face while she nods her approval, as if her approval mattered, to the tunes always comes to mind.

but i do love the music. esp. rhonda vincent and the rage's more religious offerngs or some of patti loveless's stuff from mountain soul. brad paisley ventures into that realm every once in a while with some pretty good results as well.
Reply #43 Top
Thanks Tova for the video. While I've heard of Nicole Mullen I'm not familiar with her music. That was a good video. I love that song anyhow!

Reply #44 Top
just for you....

I have heard how Christians long ago
Were brought before a tyrant's throne
And they were told that he would spare their lives
If they would renounce the name of Christ
But one by one they chose to die
The Son of God they would not deny
Like a great angelic choir sings
I can almost hear their voices ring

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

Now the years have come and the years have gone
But the cause of Jesus still goes on
And now our time has come to count the cost
To reject this world, to embrace the cross
And one by one let us live our lives
For the One who died to give us life
Till the trumpet sounds on the final day
Let us proudly stand and boldly say

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

To the Lamb of God who bore my pain
Who took my place, who wore my shame
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb



it's beautiful music, and the choir arrangement we do at my church is really lovely, but with these words, all I can do is roll my eyes.
Reply #45 Top
then you shouldn't sing it.

Reply #46 Top
then you shouldn't sing it.


That's like saying you shouldn't ever sing "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" because you don't believe in being a serial killer, or you should never sing "Purple Haze" because you don't believe in doing drugs.

"Purple Haze" is a killer song. Period. I don't participate in any drug use, but I'll still blast that song out of my car.
Reply #47 Top
SC.

Singing a praise song to God without the heart is nothing short of being hypocritical. If her heart and soul is not in it, she shouldn't sing this song in a worshipful setting to God.

Reply #48 Top
then you shouldn't sing it.


That's like saying you shouldn't ever sing "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" because you don't believe in being a serial killer, or you should never sing "Purple Haze" because you don't believe in doing drugs.

"Purple Haze" is a killer song. Period. I don't participate in any drug use, but I'll still blast that song out of my car.


Alright, but that's not what was being discussed. You certainly didn't say that this song (Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb? the title wasn't pegged down) was "killer." You stated that you would have to "stifle the guffaws." Different bit, here. It's basically the flipside of what you described for "Purple Haze": ap2 likes the type of music and its intent but doesn't like the actual song.

I mean, maybe it's my old age (hopefully: maturity) showing, but I have to turn off Rage Against The Machine half the time it comes on because the lyrics rub me the wrong way.