Finding God in Pop Culture Part I: Secular music

So, anyone who knows me, knows I love 90s Alternative Rock.  In fact, it probably makes up the bulk of the music that I listen to.  Well, that and Nu Metal (I really don’t care what “metalheads” think about it, they were all into it when it was popular.  Look in a mirror, and tell me who the REAL poser is, I know, I know).

But, anyway, for a long time, I’ve noticed that there are often religious themes in secular music.  I think a large part of this, is because man is religious by nature.  Even in cultures that don’t have ritualistic worship, there’s still a belief in some kind of supernatural powers.

Atheism is the aberration, not the default. 

Consider the lyrics to "Gone away" by The Offspring, 

"Leaving flowers on your grave
To show that I still care
Black roses and Hail Marys
Can't bring back what's taken from me

I reach to the sky
And call out your name
And if I could trade
I would

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it stings
Yeah, it stings now
The world is so cold
Now that you've gone away
Gone away
Gone away"

The song is a grief song, but acknowledges two very important aspects of human existence.  Prayer (the reference to Hail Marys), and an afterlife.  

And even though many rockstars would proclaim themselves as non-religious, or even atheist, I think there’s something deeper in their music than they even realize.

A song I’m thinking about is 1993’s “Shine” by Collective Soul.  While it is often referred to as a post-grunge song, given that it came out when grunge was THE mainstream form of rock music, can’t really be a post-grunge song.  I’m fine just calling it an “Alternative Rock” song (and, for the record, Nirvana didn’t make Alternative mainstream; REM hit the billboard charts in the 80s, although, they had no megahits until “Losing my religion”, which ironically, has nothing to do with religion).

Anyway, Ed Roland and his brother, Dean both come from a strict Fundamentalist Baptist background.  They deny that Collective Soul is a Christian band, but have never denied that they themselves are Christian. 

In fact, a major complaint they seemed to have had, was when “Shine” came out, the amount of people that thought it was a Christian song because it mentioned heaven.  They both seem to take a similar view to myself on this, that a song can be made with Christian themes, even by a Christian, and still not be a Christian rock song.   I think of my own music, the same way (the quoting, or, because I’m me, yelling, Bible verses word for word, yeah, I get why someone would think that about mine)

“Whoa, heaven let your light shine down”!

“Whoa heaven let your light shine down”!

Also, I like doing the “yeah” in that song when I sing along.  Don’t ask me why, but a lot of rock songs contain the word “yeah”!

(Ask Metallica, yeah)!

I don’t see how those lyrics would make the band a Christian band (though, there is nothing wrong with being a Christian band). 

But, I do see how someone could think there are Christian themes in there;

“Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hit.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-160

Another song I’m thinking about is, “Everything dies”, by the Goth Metal/Doom Metal band, Type O Negative.  At the time, Peter Steele was an atheist.  By the time he died, he was a reverted to his childhood Catholic faith.  “World Coming Down” is a great album, but it is extremely depressing.  It’s a man trying to fight his demons without acknowledging his demons exist as demons.  Compare that to the last Type O Negative album, “Dead Again”, which is a great album, too, and, in spite of its pessimistic name, quite upbeat in a lot of areas. 

Even in songs that SHOULD be depressing and pessimistic. 

Trust me, there’s A LOT more I want to do with this topic, but, this should suffice for now.  I’ve always found it interesting, for instance, that it’s always a Catholic priest that’s needed to fight vampires.  You don’t usually see a Baptist preacher doing exorcisms (not saying it isn’t theoretically possible).

So, I guess what I’m getting it, is we see manifestations of religion and God, in the least likely places.  Even on the radio, once in a blue moon, or in the cinema, sometimes.  There will have to be a part two to this, I don’t have a time set up for it, but I know I want to do another article on it.

By the way, this isn't the first time I've written about popular culture.  If you want to read more about that, go here; A time to laugh