Lyrics poll

There needs to be a fourth option...lyrics like Theocracy! Matt writes lyrics that are often very poetic, yet very accessible and bold at the same time. That's my favorite kind of lyrics. I chose bold on the poll, but I far prefer poetic to straight prose. That's why I love some of those old hymns as well as modern praise artists like Sovereign Grace Music. Christians led by the Spirit should be THE MOST CREATIVE people on the planet! Rhyming haze with days (Petra) or pride and side (Stryper) makes me crazy. Both of these two bands have made some very poetic music, too, but way too often the lyrics have been garbage from a creativity standpoint.

I think part of the problem is that artists don't take enough time crafting lyrics. It's like the first draft of what they write is what gets recorded. I like artists that really chew over songs for a long period of time, tinkering with them, praying over them, and really putting a lot of work into them. Metal bands like Theocracy and praise artists like Sovereign Grace Music do that, and that's what makes them my favorites.

I prefer lyrics from the heart.... early Kings X for example

Does blatant mean a Salvation Message in 3 minutes...? Too often that is what is implied, but to me that feels like a cheap way out.

Petra is a good example of doing it right I think. The lyrics on Jeckyl & Hyde or Beyond Belief are some good examples. Not simplistic but putting truth out there that is not trite. At least thats my 2 cents....

I went with bold and in your face, but there should be some finesse in the writing of lyrics-especially those that are intended to glorify God. If our best is not put forth, it is not a fit offering.

joe61 wrote:

If our best is not put forth, it is not a fit offering.

That's the best way to put it right there. Why do so many bands put forth a half-effort in the name of Jesus? And how seriously should we expect the world to take that sort of music?


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I don't think God takes your call as a MINISTER lightly.. so why do you? ...

EXACTLY!


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My modest opinion is when bands write bold lyrics about what they believe there's no doubt at what side they stay.

How can non christian ever guess we are talking about Jesus when the lyrics are vague.?

When Christian band are writing bold lyrics about what they believe there never can be any doubts if their lyrics are christian.

alldatndensum wrote:

I understand your points, messiaen77. Please try to see that this poll is about PREFERENCE--not what is right/wrong. I agree that all of these lyrical types can be useful, but that doesn't mean that anyone thinks that one is more right than the other.

Oh absolutely, I do see that it is about preference. That's why I said I didn't vote because I don't prefer one over the others. I do apologize if I seemed like I was taking a right vs. wrong approach. I guess my preference is more mood-based than fixed.

unworthy wrote:

I don't think God takes your call as a MINISTER lightly.. so why do you? ...

I like that!

rockerVu2 wrote:

My modest opinion is when bands write bold lyrics about what they believe there's no doubt at what side they stay.

How can non christian ever guess we are talking about Jesus when the lyrics are vague.?

When Christian band are writing bold lyrics about what they believe there never can be any doubts if their lyrics are christian.

Exactly right. And that is the reason I voted for the first option even though I prefer somewhere in between 1 & 2.


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Thomas wrote:

rockerVu2 wrote:

My modest opinion is when bands write bold lyrics about what they believe there's no doubt at what side they stay.

How can non christian ever guess we are talking about Jesus when the lyrics are vague.?

When Christian band are writing bold lyrics about what they believe there never can be any doubts if their lyrics are christian.

Exactly right. And that is the reason I voted for the first option even though I prefer somewhere in between 1 & 2.


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I agree with this. Option 3 is because of bands who want to reach the secular side and minister there, but there's not much ministry going on that we see. Sure, there's anti-drugs and anti-suicide messages, but nothing directly calling on God.

My opinion about writing songs for christian audience and secular audience is you can't serve two lords.

I'm not sure if secular audience is waiting to listen to the christian lyrics of their songs.

I agree with your statement, Yvonne, but only to a certain point.

Artists like Michael W. Smith have really done it the right way. I remember way back when he first started changing his writing style to get his songs played on the radio. I thought, oh great, just another Christian artist going secular. But then my sister saw him playing at a secular music festival that was sponsored by a beer company (they were there for a fair, not the festival... they just happened to see that Michael was playing there). She said that there was NOTHING secular about him. His message was strong and bold, even though he was playing in a secular festival with Budweiser banners all over the place.

So that's a perfect example of option 3 working for God's glory. So even though I don't particularly like that style of writing, I won't put it down, 'cause I know God uses it in certain situations.

And besides, even my Incarnate song "Believe In Me" was written in that way... it's intended to be God speaking to a backslidden girl, but it could EASILY be taken as a man talking to a woman. I NEVER write that way, but for some reason, I really felt "led" to do so in the case of that particular song. I'm not sure why... maybe it has made a difference in someone's life who wouldn't normally have listened to my music because it's "too Christian"...?



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I see it this way.. a song is a few minutes with someone... if you only got that one song.. that one moment in someone's life to speak to them... what would you want to say?

unworthy wrote:

I see it this way.. a song is a few minutes with someone... if you only got that one song.. that one moment in someone's life to speak to them... what would you want to say?

Now THAT is a sobering thought! And so very true!

It's like the old "if you knew someone was going to die in the next five minutes, what would you say to them?"


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