Religious lyrics ? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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elder08

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Posted: June 23 2010 at 12:37

Yeah it seems people are getting off topic and ignoring the original statement about prog artists placing hints of religion in they're music

"There are people who say we [Pink Floyd] should make room for younger bands. That's not the way it works. They can make their own room."- David Gilmour

Marty McFly View Drop Down

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Posted: June 23 2010 at 14:35

^ I suppose that people can go off topic a little bit, because I, original poster, am one of them :-D

As long as we stay out of insults and bad mood, I'm OK:

There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless,"

-Andyman1125 on Lulu

Even my

zachfive

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Posted: June 23 2010 at 16:59

Im not keen on religion, and Jericho by Arena is a badass song.

That being said, if I like the way a song sounds, and the message is not crammed down my throat, I can enjoy it. Just the way some super religious person should be able to enjoy a well written song opposing their own beliefs.

Didn't do a whole bunch of back reading so sorry if I am rephrasing what has already been said by others...

Marty McFly View Drop Down

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Posted: June 23 2010 at 17:26

^ Nevermind, most of us already forget what was said 10 pages before anyway :-) And history indeed is repeating itself.

There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless,"

-Andyman1125 on Lulu

Even my

rod65

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Posted: June 24 2010 at 20:05

For me, religion is one among many sources of inspiration for art. While I am not religious myself, I have a deep appreciation of both music and other art forms produced under the influence of one religion or another, one mythology or another, one world view or another--and the wider I range in this manner, the more enriched I become. What matters to me is not that a particular piece is or isn't religious, but rather whether its guiding inspiration, religious or otherwise, is presented in a heavy-handed manner or with some sense of artistry. If the former, I don't like it, even if I agree with its ideas; if the latter, I tend to like or at least respect it, even if I disagree with where it is coming from.

What a narrow world we would live in, if we only let ourselves appreciate the music of like-minded people.

kiwi

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Posted: June 24 2010 at 20:25

rod65 wrote:

For me, religion is one among many sources of inspiration for art. While I am not religious myself, I have a deep appreciation of both music and other art forms produced under the influence of one religion or another, one mythology or another, one world view or another--and the wider I range in this manner, the more enriched I become. What matters to me is not that a particular piece is or isn't religious, but rather whether its guiding inspiration, religious or otherwise, is presented in a heavy-handed manner or with some sense of artistry. If the former, I don't like it, even if I agree with its ideas; if the latter, I tend to like or at least respect it, even if I disagree with where it is coming from.

What a narrow world we would live in, if we only let ourselves appreciate the music of like-minded people.

Go Rod65! A nice piece of inclusive appreciation. Clap

We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high.. (Baha'u'llah)

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Pilkenton

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Posted: June 25 2010 at 19:10

I don't know if anyone's mentioned the Doobie Brothers "Jesus is just Alright."

Slartibartfast View Drop Down

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Posted: June 25 2010 at 19:28

Pilkenton wrote:

I don't know if anyone's mentioned the Doobie Brothers "Jesus is just Alright."

Wow haven't heard that one in a while but as soon as you mentioned it the music popped into my head. LOL

Jesus is actually alright with me. Right wing Jesus I don't recognize.

Edited by Slartibartfast - June 29 2010 at 05:53

kiwi

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Posted: June 25 2010 at 19:36

Was listening to I'll find my way home this morning by Jon and Vangelis. "...One world we all come from, one world we melt into one..." State of Independence" is perhaps the most progressive song on that album (Friends of Mr Cairo) and also has inspired lyrics.

We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high.. (Baha'u'llah)

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rod65

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Posted: June 27 2010 at 07:05

kiwi wrote:

Was listening to I'll find my way home this morning by Jon and Vangelis. "...One world we all come from, one world we melt into one..." State of Independence" is perhaps the most progressive song on that album (Friends of Mr Cairo) and also has inspired lyrics.

I've always loved that album, and particularly that song.

More broadly, after pondering the central question on this thread for the last few days and wondering why I enjoy well-crafted religious art so much, I've some to the conclusion that this particular appreciation is part of a larger pattern: anything that helps me ponder, or offers insight into, the universe beyond my own limited perspective is, almost by definition, interesting. I think in fact that one of the functions of the arts, and in narrative art this goes at least as far back as Gilgamesh (itself a very religious poem), is to address the listener/viewer/reader in just such a way--to make, or try to make, the incomprehensible approachable. Even someone with a (mostly) rational world view, such as myself, can benefit from periodic immersions into myth in any of its forms. Our individual points of view, as I've said, are always and necessarily limited.

flower-of-scots View Drop Down

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Posted: June 27 2010 at 20:00

As an aethiest....i don't care about any religion, and my music should be religion free, however if there are religious overtones then so be it..does'n't mean i have to subscribe to that diatribe.

The Truth

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Posted: June 27 2010 at 20:06

As a fricking who cares, I say as long as it's good music, I'll listen to it regardless of lyrical content blatant or not.

yasko

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Posted: June 28 2010 at 05:23

I love the lyrics of Neal morse!

I am an atheist, but he's lyrics, how cheesy they might sound, they are very honest
So I enjoy he's lyrics as much as another would sing about he's lover,

RoyFairbank View Drop Down

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Posted: June 28 2010 at 09:35

Actually, the only religious stuff on my what-cha-ma-call-it player (whizz, winamp? ???) are Bobby D (Bob Dylan) but not his REALLY sickly gospel religious album, Saved, its the only album of his I don't have on there. The other thing I have which is pretty religious is some stuff by Wetton/Downes. You'll recall, "God Walks With Us" etc. etc. etc.

I've read that Hackett is quite religious but there's nothing to suggest it in his music, don't thank God.

Slartibartfast View Drop Down

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Posted: June 29 2010 at 05:52

RoyFairbank wrote:

Actually, the only religious stuff on my what-cha-ma-call-it player (whizz, winamp? ???) are Bobby D (Bob Dylan) but not his REALLY sickly gospel religious album, Saved, its the only album of his I don't have on there. The other thing I have which is pretty religious is some stuff by Wetton/Downes. You'll recall, "God Walks With Us" etc. etc. etc.

I've read that Hackett is quite religious but there's nothing to suggest it in his music, don't thank God.

I hadn't heard that about Steve. I think his religion shines in his instrumentals. Big smile

Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

RoyFairbank View Drop Down

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Posted: June 29 2010 at 22:13

On the whole I'd say the majority of pop stars are more religious than proggers anyway. Prog comes from the freethinking 1960s, is often the music of the well-educated and is less determined by popular culture compared to pop music. The individuals associated with pop are more influenced by mundane belief systems both casual and forced by moral convention (oh yes, I believe in a higher power; I can only thank God... etc.).

I can name plenty of athiests who do prog. I can't think of hardly a single poptart or popflake that hasn't pointed to heaven with teary eyes, of course as an obligation.

There is something religious too about pop themes and lyrics, sickeningly endless reiteration that human beings need mates. I love you, I luv you, I want you, let's dance... its ritual.

squirting

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Posted: June 30 2010 at 02:29

Religious lyrics are pretty cool a lot of the time. I haven't come across much stuff that actually tries to convert you though.

re: that first point:

"So that's it? After 12 years; so long, good luck?"

"Now I don't recall saying good luck."

VonSchlemmer View Drop Down

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Posted: June 30 2010 at 13:11

StyLaZyn wrote:

With me, as long as the religious overtones are not in your face apparent (like Jesus I love you and you are my saviour), I can deal with it. I can't tolerate Neal Morse. He should make all his solo material available as instrumentals.

No Neal Morse = No Spock's Beard = No Transatlantic. I'm afraid your gonna have to take his Christian rock career up the ass.

StyLaZyn

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Posted: June 30 2010 at 15:40

VonSchlemmer wrote:

No Neal Morse = No Spock's Beard = No Transatlantic. I'm afraid your gonna have to take his Christian rock career up the ass.

That was such a nice thing to say. What an awesome person you are. Thanks!

Actually, I've re-evaluated this whole thing. If I can listen to a band talk about no God (atheistic lyrics), then I should be able to do the opposite. And I will.

octopus-4

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Posted: June 30 2010 at 15:42

This is very thin ice. I am atheist and I find preachy stuff a bit irritating with some exceptions.

If one is a true believer of anything and has also a bit of brain can be respectable. I find Neal Morse's prayers less irritating than the newage deliriums of Jon Anderson., or better, none of the two really irritates me as I don't think I have the right to be irritated. I can just decide whether to pick off a disc or not.

Trying to answer to the original question, I'm from Rome. History teached us to stay away from priests long time before the pedophily scandal. I think half of the true romans are atheist or at least against the Vatican, but the Christian church is part of our culture regardless if we want or not. We grow up with the Catholic concept teached since the primary school. I think it's normal that sometimes a concept of this kind pops-up.

I suggest you to listen to "La Buona Novella" from Fabrizio de Andre (in RPI section). It's the best example of how an atheist can speak about religion, being banned by the Vatican and appear extremely religious at the same time. I hope a translation of the lyrics is available somewhere on the net.

This is the link to my review of that album:

http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=196424

I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution