Mumford and Sons...arguably one of the most successful bands
at the moment. Christian? Non-Christian? What do they sing for? Who do they
sing for? These were questions that plagued me for a long while and ultimately
led me to this blog post.
All those who know me are well aware of my M&S
fanaticism. The majority of their songs have undeniable Christian undertones,
which got me thinking...Why have no other Christian bands really exploded onto
the music scene? And I’m not talking about just the Christian music scene, but
the secular one. For the past 2 weeks I’ve been wrestling with the question “Is
Christian music just not as good as secular music?” I must confess that for the
past 3 months my playlist has consisted of The Lumineers, Mumford and Sons, The
Beatles, AC/DC, Rise Against and Haste the Day. I know what band probably stood
out for some here: AC/DC...I’ve heard many people ask how I, as a Christian, could
listen to such a band. Granted, some of their lyrics are more than horrible,
but am I less of a Christian for listening in awe to the guitar riff in
“Highway to Hell”? Again, another sensitive topic, perhaps for another day...
The point that I am trying to make (in a very roundabout
way) is: The Christian music scene has good quality bands, making good quality
music...look no further than Red, Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch etc. But why
aren’t they as popular as Nickelback for instance? Is it because they are
labelled “Christian” and thus appeal to a much smaller audience? A few years
ago it was stated that Switchfoot would focus on the “secular” music industry,
but stressed that they were not renouncing their faith in anyway. They were
apparently focusing on preaching to the unsaved. A few weeks after this
transition, their single “Dark Horses” hit the top of the rock charts in South
Africa and stayed there for four weeks! It makes one wonder if their Christian
label is what hindered their mainstream success in the first place – that they
WERE actually playing quality music, but people just weren’t interested in
listening to a Christian band?
Would Rihanna, Beyoncé, Florence and the Machine or The
Lumineers be as famous if they were openly Christian? What is it that is
holding Christian bands from mainstream audiences? I can count on one hand the
amount of times I’ve heard Skillet or Red on the radio – some songs you
wouldn’t even guess were Christian...so why don’t they play them?!?! How do
Christian bands escape this label and reach a larger audience?
I am not going to lie, I don’t have any answers to the
questions I am posing. I’m just frustrated that the Christian music scene has
some amazing bands (even just from a purely musical point of view) but they are
being ignored by the majority of people due to their Christian label. Many
people love Mumford and Sons...Christian or Non-Christian, it doesn’t matter!
They are being loved for their amazing musical ability!
I personally believe that far too much Christian music lags
behind secular music, in terms of both quality and originality. I’m not trying
to be overly critical, but asking these questions isn’t a bad thing. As stated
earlier, I know I’ve asked more questions than I’ve answered, so please, feel
free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.
Here at Rocking it Christian Style we are on the constant lookout
for quality Christian bands coming onto the scene. Matthew Mole and Nakhane
Toure are two, new, local South African examples of solo artists who have an
incredible talent. Be sure to keep a close eye on this blog for events, album
reviews and amazing songs from both new and old!
Look out for our review of Disciple’s “O God Save Us All”
this Wednesday, 20 February 2013.
Peace and love everyone
A
NB: Please read the followup post "Christian Music in a 'Secular' World v2.0"....my views have changed somewhat since writing the above post!:p
NB: Please read the followup post "Christian Music in a 'Secular' World v2.0"....my views have changed somewhat since writing the above post!:p
Nice post, definitely seems like a blog worth following! Hopefully you'll write a follow up post that answers some of the questions posed.
ReplyDeleteHi Jalex
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, we as humans, are drawn to the secular, as it appears to fulfil our desires. When people think of Christian music, they think the song is one-sided, and not 'cool'. The 'cool' thing will always be, and I'm sure has always been the rebellious thing. People generally don't like to follow rules and prefer to satisfy their immediate desires to fulfilling long-term aspirations. To connect this to music, artists such as Drake, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift etc. sing about their immediate desires and this has a crowd-pleasing quality. I think it is fair to assume that people in general view christianity, and religion as a whole, as a long-term concept, that doesn't have to been addressed immediately. Christian music probably, and sadly, will never be 'cool' but that's not its goal, its goal is to spread an important message to the people out there. The youth of this generation is under-educated and over-sexualised which does not present a good market for Christian music.
As to whether or not Christians should listen to secular music, especially AC/DC, that can only be answered by reading the Bible.
Thank you for reading this.
E
Reply
Hi Edwin
DeleteThank you so much for the response! We've been waiting eagerly for someone to share their thoughts and were slowly losing hope.
It's true, I was listening to the "Top 10" songs on a secular radio station yesterday, and I'm not lying to you when i say that each and every song had some reference to either sex or alcohol. It really is sad that this is what people WANT to listen to!?
Thanx again for the comment! We really appreciate it!
I love what I just read.
DeleteHi Jalex! Some of what Edwin pointed out are undeniably agreeable, but different people have different beliefs. Don't you think that this is another aspect why Christian music artists, though have great musicality, aren’t as popular as the secular ones? Christian music conveys a message that will either make you believe or exalt. If people don't believe in what the Christian artists are saying, then why would they bother listening to it, right? I believe that you can't appreciate something you don’t really believe in, don't you think so? If ever Christian artists went mainstream, does that mean they're denouncing their faith and beliefs? I don't think so. In fact, it's even a good thing 'cause they're spreading a message that people won't usually be open to know about. And through them, they're slowly educating people that these certain faiths exist.
ReplyDeleteDalene Croff
Hi jalex im sory if this sounds a bit cynical but the music industry is likely to continue to use sex and booze and drugs as unfortunately that is what sells because as the western culture has strived for freedom it is constantly glorifying sex
ReplyDelete, alcohol and to a slightly lesser degree drug it gets ingroung in society as it is always there in music, tv, film, games and other media and I dont see an end to it I think the only way christian music making it in the mainstream is buy making amazingly good music with subtle hidden messages throughout the music that gets people thinking for themselves rather than going full on in your face christian as then if the song and music are good and ideally catchy enuf then it can get huge and the hidden messages will reach more people than a outright Christian song that the secular population shun as it is Christian
I agree with the statement that music offered by christian bands is equally good as that of secular music. It is a stupidity to compare both of these kinds of music. Music is just a way to express spiritual devotion whether it is towards God or any other one.
ReplyDelete