Does religion have a place in Prog music?

The Latest Total And A Question. Total now: 33 for, 6 against, 3 non commital and 8 without comment. We're getting in some last minute stragglers to this thread but the results are staying consistent. And if anyone can translate Mosh's opinion for me, I'll include it. I would like to point out that even though the membership has a tolerant view regarding religious lyrics in music, a good deal of member's personal views on religion are against religions for the various reasons and protracked opinions mentioned in many posts. By I did not notice any opinions to the contrary.  Would anyone care to offer a counter argument, or in other words, what's good about the religion that they are a member of.


Edited by SteveG - August 12 2014 at 16:23

SteveG wrote: Dean wrote: SteveG wrote:  Back to topic No.1., the comparison of Progressive Rock with other forms of 'popular' instrumental music is laughable as who were the populous that listened to 18th century Classical and Chamber music? Peasants and tenant farmers at home with their 9 volt transistor radios? And when this populous did listen to instrumental music, was it not Polkas, Jigs, Reels or Bluegress for folk dancing purposes only? And did this dance craze not also carry over later into Jazz and R&B forms like Swing and Big Band, again, more music to dance to? The first group was rarely listened to by the masses, the second grouping didn't require lyrics when they did listen to it, just a melody and a rhythm in order to 'cut a rug'. So let's put things back into perspective before I disappear back into the studio for awhile. (Probably for a long while). My argument is abstract. Everyone is welcome to examine it, think about it and accept it or dismiss it as they like. To argue against it is like arguing against (or even for)  the existence of God. It doesn't do any good, but everyone is completely free to do as they like.  ...  Ah...  ...what is the purpose of instrumental Progressive Rock? As with all rules, there are exceptions, so lets play the word game again as  I see that this is the only  thing that seems to reach certain members, especially when it is  preoccuping certain members, so I will repeat my statement again with emphasis; There is a reason why a majority of the Progressive Rock music that we listen to contains lyrics. For those that don't know, the simple definition  of the the word majority means 'great in mumber'. One of my friends in my age group listens to free form Jazz only and disregards all other popular music forms, but as the great producer I quoted one said "Peope don't like Jazz, they only like the idea of liking Jazz." Fom my point of view, his statement has merit but again, there are exceptions. (at least I like to think so).

SteveG wrote: The Dark Elf wrote: Dean wrote: Ah...  ...what is the purpose of instrumental Progressive Rock? Oh, oh, oh....I know this one! Ummm....to take up the space left over on a CD or album when bands run out of lyrics. Refer to my last post. Again, a simple definition of the word majority means 'great in number'.

Obviously, sarcasm can no longer be detected without affixing a cartoon emoticon to a statement.

I should be on record somewhere in this interminable discussion stating that I find lyrics important in most cases.

Dean wrote: <span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.2;"> SteveG wrote:  </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.2;">Back to topic No.1., the comparison of Progressive Rock with other forms of 'popular' instrumental music is laughable as who were the populous that listened to 18th century Classical and Chamber music? Peasants and tenant farmers at home with their 9 volt transistor radios? And when this populous did listen to instrumental music, was it not Polkas, Jigs, Reels or Bluegress for folk dancing purposes only? And did this dance craze not also carry over later into Jazz and R&B forms like Swing and Big Band, again, more music to dance to? The first group was rarely listened to by the masses, the second grouping didn't require lyrics when they did listen to it, just a melody and a rhythm in order to 'cut a rug'. So let's put things back into perspective before I disappear back into the studio for awhile. (Probably for a long while). My argument is abstract. Everyone is welcome to examine it, think about it and accept it or dismiss it as they like. To argue against it is like arguing against (or even for)  the existence of God. It doesn't do any good, but everyone is completely free to do as they like. </span>  ...  Ah...  ...what is the purpose of instrumental Progressive Rock?

As with all rules, there are exceptions, so lets play the word game again as  I see that this is the only  thing that seems to reach certain members, especially when it is  preoccupying certain members, so I will repeat my statement again with emphasis; There is a reason why a majority of the Progressive Rock music that we listen to contains lyrics. For those that don't know, the simple definition  of the the word majority means 'great in number'. One of my friends in my age group listens to free form Jazz only and disregards all other popular music forms, but as the great producer I quoted one said "Peope don't like Jazz, they only like the idea of liking Jazz." Fom my point of view, his statement has merit but again, there are exceptions. (at least I like to think so).












Edited by SteveG - August 11 2014 at 16:12

moshkito wrote: I kinda look at the top ten stuff the same way ... it's a religion that society uses to convince you that something or other is better than it really is.

Religion should have a place everywhere except legislation.

Finnforest wrote: Doesn't any topic the artist chooses "have a place"?  As a listener, do I like religious lyrics?  Doesn't matter.  But I prefer lyrics about why short people have no reason to live.

I have notebooks full of those. 

SteveG wrote: Dean wrote:   SteveG wrote: The Closing Bell: 29 For, 5 Against, 3 Not Determined and 7 Without Comment. After rechecking and rethinking some of the comments, I think the totals are pretty close. The reason I posted this thread, apart from the question about religion in Progressive Music, was to again call attention to the question How important are lyrics to you in Prog Music? It seems that they are important in regard to specific topics, so again I propose to argue that they are important to us and, if anything, perhaps even on some base psychological level. (No pyscho babel here, just using the term as an example). There is a reason that the majority of the music that we enjoy listening to is not purely instrumental. Perhaps we need a human connection to it, if even on some subconscious level, as my old pal Doctor Freud use to say. And no, I'm not as old as him.   Ah... no. You asked whether there was a place for religion in Prog - you didn't ask us whether religious lyrics were important. Two different things and frankly, no real correlation between them. You cannot infer from the replies that the lyrics are important or that anyone even listen to them unless they draw attention to themselves in some way. Most replies here suggest that they are tolerated as long as they aren't too preachy - which kinda suggests, like many people have been trying to say in the other thread, they are not important at all - however if they are intrusive (for example badly written or badly sung) then they are often disliked. I explained my change  in topic in another post as the thread has run it's course. A lot was said, including some very profound statements, with no one getting their feelings hurt. Mission accomplished. Time to move on. But back to your statement about lyrics being tolerated as long as they are not preachy. I think you've looked at the  posted comments too narrowly. Many said that the lyrics were important as they were inspired and inspired the artist. Others said that the lyrics were uplifting even if they were not religious or did not follow a particular religious theme that was projected by the lyrics. Didn't you yourself say that we cannot generalize?

[quote] Steve G said: There is a reason that the majority of the Progressive Rock music that we enjoy listening to is not purely instrumental." [quote/]