Spiritual Tunes
September 6, 2011 6:38 AM Subscribe
I'm trying to add to a playlist of secular songs that have a basically "spiritual", Christian, or otherwise religious lyrical theme. Can you help?
Here's what I have so far:
Cat Stevens – Morning Has Broken
JP Haynie – For a While
The Clash – The Sound Of Sinners
The Welcome Wagon – Up On a Mountain
Clem Snide – Fontanelle
Pedro The Lion – Letter From A Concerned Follower
U2 – "40"
Danielson – Can We Camp At Your Feet
Sufjan Stevens – The Transfiguration
Low – If You Were Born Today
The Mountain Goats – 1 Samuel 15:23
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – O Mary Don't You Weep
Gillian Welch – By The Mark
Prince – The Cross
Eurythmics – Missionary Man
As you can see, I'm not talking about praise music necessarily - just songs that could be loosely considered to be religious in nature. Although many of the songs on my current list come from a Judeo Christian standpoint, that is not a requirement of the playlist so songs from other traditions are cool.
Bonus points for basically matching the genres that are already in the list, but I'm open to just about anything.
Thanks.
Here's what I have so far:
Cat Stevens – Morning Has Broken
JP Haynie – For a While
The Clash – The Sound Of Sinners
The Welcome Wagon – Up On a Mountain
Clem Snide – Fontanelle
Pedro The Lion – Letter From A Concerned Follower
U2 – "40"
Danielson – Can We Camp At Your Feet
Sufjan Stevens – The Transfiguration
Low – If You Were Born Today
The Mountain Goats – 1 Samuel 15:23
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – O Mary Don't You Weep
Gillian Welch – By The Mark
Prince – The Cross
Eurythmics – Missionary Man
As you can see, I'm not talking about praise music necessarily - just songs that could be loosely considered to be religious in nature. Although many of the songs on my current list come from a Judeo Christian standpoint, that is not a requirement of the playlist so songs from other traditions are cool.
Bonus points for basically matching the genres that are already in the list, but I'm open to just about anything.
Thanks.
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky
Five Man Electrical Band - Signs
posted by phunniemee at 6:43 AM on September 6, 2011
Five Man Electrical Band - Signs
posted by phunniemee at 6:43 AM on September 6, 2011
Belle & Sebastian have a number of faith-tinged songs.* Here's an NPR piece on Stuart and his faith. YMMV; some of the songs are about questioning faith (If You're Feeling Sinister, e.g.) to more contemplative (Act of Apostle, e.g.); to more basic praise (If You Find Yourself Caught in Love, e.g.).
*Most aren't about faith. Some are about S&M and swinging; if you're making a mix of new music for CCD, you might want to skip them.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:49 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
*Most aren't about faith. Some are about S&M and swinging; if you're making a mix of new music for CCD, you might want to skip them.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:49 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
How are you defining "secular"?
These 4 (at the very least) are explicitly Christian songs written by believers, and 2 (Sufjan Stevens and U2) use bible texts in the lyrics:
Pedro The Lion – Letter From A Concerned Follower
U2 – "40"
Danielson – Can We Camp At Your Feet
Sufjan Stevens – The Transfiguration
So those are hardly secular songs in any sense, unless you mean "not marketed as CCM" (2 - Pedro the Lion and Dalielson - were marketed as 'Christian alternative')
You might look at David Bezan (= Pedro the Lion post-loss-of-fundie-faith)'s Bearing Witness.
posted by Wylla at 6:50 AM on September 6, 2011
These 4 (at the very least) are explicitly Christian songs written by believers, and 2 (Sufjan Stevens and U2) use bible texts in the lyrics:
Pedro The Lion – Letter From A Concerned Follower
U2 – "40"
Danielson – Can We Camp At Your Feet
Sufjan Stevens – The Transfiguration
So those are hardly secular songs in any sense, unless you mean "not marketed as CCM" (2 - Pedro the Lion and Dalielson - were marketed as 'Christian alternative')
You might look at David Bezan (= Pedro the Lion post-loss-of-fundie-faith)'s Bearing Witness.
posted by Wylla at 6:50 AM on September 6, 2011
Response by poster: Wylla: By secular I just meant "not generally marketed as CCM". And, as you've pointed out, even that is not a perfect division.
posted by crapples at 6:57 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by crapples at 6:57 AM on September 6, 2011
If you don't mind 80s music, Kyrie by Mister Mister is a pop song about faith ("Kyrie, eleison" is Greek for "Lord, have mercy"), and it was a big hit in my adolescence.
posted by droplet at 7:00 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by droplet at 7:00 AM on September 6, 2011
Johnny Cash had a lot of religious imagery in his lyrics - he even did record a record of gospel songs. The Man Comes Around comes to mind, and Kneeling Drunkard's Plea is also pretty on.
posted by General Malaise at 7:01 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by General Malaise at 7:01 AM on September 6, 2011
Do the songs have to be reverent? Modest Mouse have quite a few songs about God and religion, but the lyricist, Isaac Brock, is an atheist and the songs are far from reverent. Examples: Styrofoam Boots, I Came as a Rat and Bukowski.
posted by Kattullus at 7:06 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by Kattullus at 7:06 AM on September 6, 2011
Praise You by Fatboy Slim (obviously, this is just a big beat remake of the original, which is itself overtly religious).
Also, a lot of Echo & the Bunnymen is rich with religious overtones. Bring on the Dancing Horses calls on the "new Messiah"; Ocean Rain; Thorn of Crowns; others too--I don't have all my Echo tracks on my iPhone.
Building on General Malaise, The Wonderstuff covered "Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which Cash also recorded.
Fleet Foxes?
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:06 AM on September 6, 2011
Also, a lot of Echo & the Bunnymen is rich with religious overtones. Bring on the Dancing Horses calls on the "new Messiah"; Ocean Rain; Thorn of Crowns; others too--I don't have all my Echo tracks on my iPhone.
Building on General Malaise, The Wonderstuff covered "Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which Cash also recorded.
Fleet Foxes?
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:06 AM on September 6, 2011
The Beatles: Across the Universe
Joan Osborne: One of Us
posted by jph at 7:08 AM on September 6, 2011
Joan Osborne: One of Us
posted by jph at 7:08 AM on September 6, 2011
Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rise Up With Fists
posted by cali59 at 7:08 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by cali59 at 7:08 AM on September 6, 2011
Cattle and the Creeping Things by The Hold Steady is a song that uses religious imagery in an unconventional way. Randy Describes Eternity by Built to Spill is about the concept of eternal life. Returning to the Fold by The Thermals is about a crisis of faith.
posted by burnmp3s at 7:10 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by burnmp3s at 7:10 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Pick up some 16 Horsepower, lots of religion in their songs. The cd Sackcloth & Ashes is a good start.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:10 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:10 AM on September 6, 2011
Beatles, Let it Be
posted by DarlingBri at 7:10 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by DarlingBri at 7:10 AM on September 6, 2011
Velvet Underground - Jesus
posted by hydrophonic at 7:11 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by hydrophonic at 7:11 AM on September 6, 2011
In addition to Brandon Blatcher's 16 Horsepower recommendation, add the singer/songwriter's current project, Wovenhand.
posted by infinitywaltz at 7:12 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by infinitywaltz at 7:12 AM on September 6, 2011
Prince - I Would Die 4 U
posted by penguinicity at 7:16 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by penguinicity at 7:16 AM on September 6, 2011
Jesus Was a Crossmaker by Judee Sill.
I don't listen to religious music. But this song is SO awesome.
posted by greenish at 7:22 AM on September 6, 2011
I don't listen to religious music. But this song is SO awesome.
posted by greenish at 7:22 AM on September 6, 2011
Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way
Matthew Sweet - Divine Intervention
posted by Trivia Newton John at 7:27 AM on September 6, 2011
Matthew Sweet - Divine Intervention
posted by Trivia Newton John at 7:27 AM on September 6, 2011
"Who By Fire" doesn't really count as secular--it's lifted almost verbatim from the Yom Kippur liturgy--but L.C. is not exactly Jars of Clay. Are you looking for outreach-type music? Or just for personal enjoyment?
posted by skbw at 7:31 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by skbw at 7:31 AM on September 6, 2011
Southern Cross, Crosby, Stills and Nash
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
posted by DarlingBri at 7:36 AM on September 6, 2011
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
posted by DarlingBri at 7:36 AM on September 6, 2011
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley (yes, I know, or Leonard Cohen, but the Buckley version just feels more spiritual, somehow)
posted by guessthis at 7:41 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by guessthis at 7:41 AM on September 6, 2011
Van Morrison - Full Force Gale
Bob Dylan - Every Grain of Sand
Obviously both have recorded dozens of religious songs, but these two stand out as being great songs regardless of the subject matter.
posted by nja at 7:44 AM on September 6, 2011
Bob Dylan - Every Grain of Sand
Obviously both have recorded dozens of religious songs, but these two stand out as being great songs regardless of the subject matter.
posted by nja at 7:44 AM on September 6, 2011
Byrds, Turn! Turn! Turn! (echoes/quotes Proverbs)
posted by goethean at 7:44 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by goethean at 7:44 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
There are numerous secular type versions of Amazing Grace, l like the version by Laura Love off the CD Octoroon.
Tom Waits:
Chocolate Jesus
Nina Simone:
Sinnerman
Ani DiFranco:
Adam & Eve
Concrete Blonde:
Tomorrow Wendy
Cowboy Junkies:
Someone Out there, Upon Still Waters
The Frames:
Dance the Devil Back into his hole
Depeche Mode;
Personal Jesus
Kate Bush:
Song of Solomon
Leah Andreone:
Come Sunday Morning
Tori Amos;
God (from the Under the Pink CD). She weaved religion into a several songs on her early CDs
Marilyn Mason:
Fight Song
Ministry:
Jesus Built My Hotrod
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:48 AM on September 6, 2011
Tom Waits:
Chocolate Jesus
Nina Simone:
Sinnerman
Ani DiFranco:
Adam & Eve
Concrete Blonde:
Tomorrow Wendy
Cowboy Junkies:
Someone Out there, Upon Still Waters
The Frames:
Dance the Devil Back into his hole
Depeche Mode;
Personal Jesus
Kate Bush:
Song of Solomon
Leah Andreone:
Come Sunday Morning
Tori Amos;
God (from the Under the Pink CD). She weaved religion into a several songs on her early CDs
Marilyn Mason:
Fight Song
Ministry:
Jesus Built My Hotrod
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:48 AM on September 6, 2011
If you're not allergic to country-western, you've got a goldmine ahead of you.
From Johnny Paycheck, The Outlaw's Prayer to
Rodney Atkins Watching you to all sorts of others.
posted by ES Mom at 7:49 AM on September 6, 2011
From Johnny Paycheck, The Outlaw's Prayer to
Rodney Atkins Watching you to all sorts of others.
posted by ES Mom at 7:49 AM on September 6, 2011
Neutral Milk Hotel - King of Carrot Flowers Part 2
posted by to recite so charmingly at 7:49 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by to recite so charmingly at 7:49 AM on September 6, 2011
Religious overtones or undertones are one of the most common themes in U2's work. Some examples: Gloria, God Part II, or more recently "Magnificent," which riffs off the liturgical text known as the Magnificat.
posted by drlith at 7:51 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by drlith at 7:51 AM on September 6, 2011
Response by poster: Man -- these are great. I'm furiously piloting spotify and youtube trying to listen to each of these (the ones that I'm not already familiar with). Thanks - my list is getting really good.
posted by crapples at 7:52 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by crapples at 7:52 AM on September 6, 2011
Mumford & Sons: Awake My Soul.
School of Seven Bells: Prince of Peace.
I agree that there will be loads if you look in the folk/country direction.
posted by bibliophibianj at 7:59 AM on September 6, 2011
School of Seven Bells: Prince of Peace.
I agree that there will be loads if you look in the folk/country direction.
posted by bibliophibianj at 7:59 AM on September 6, 2011
Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Letter From God To Man
posted by corvine at 8:02 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by corvine at 8:02 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Jesus and Mary Chain: God Help Me. Someone covered it and it sounds way more church-y in the cover. I much prefer JMC's whiskey & death version Shane MacGowan sings it).
Echo & Bunnymen--Don't Let it Get you Down.
Actually both bands have lots of god-jesus-church stuff going on in the lyrics.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:07 AM on September 6, 2011
Echo & Bunnymen--Don't Let it Get you Down.
Actually both bands have lots of god-jesus-church stuff going on in the lyrics.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:07 AM on September 6, 2011
Oh, and a lot of the Cowboy Junkies music fits this theme. Particularly songs from One Soul Now: Simon Keeper and The Slide.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:21 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 8:21 AM on September 6, 2011
Jag Panzer - The Crucifix
Juggernaut - Cast The First Stone
Toxik - Mij Njub/In God
Iced Earth - Dante's Inferno
Holy Terror - Alpha & Omega - The Bringer of Balance
Holy Terror - Mind Wars (Album)
posted by Godwin Interjection at 8:29 AM on September 6, 2011
Juggernaut - Cast The First Stone
Toxik - Mij Njub/In God
Iced Earth - Dante's Inferno
Holy Terror - Alpha & Omega - The Bringer of Balance
Holy Terror - Mind Wars (Album)
posted by Godwin Interjection at 8:29 AM on September 6, 2011
That's weird, 2/3's of my links in my previous post link back to this page... Let's try this again.
Jag Panzer - The Crucifix
Toxik - Mij Njub/In God
Holy Terror - Alpha & Omega - The Bringer of Balance
Holy Terror - Mind Wars (Album)
posted by Godwin Interjection at 8:46 AM on September 6, 2011
Jag Panzer - The Crucifix
Toxik - Mij Njub/In God
Holy Terror - Alpha & Omega - The Bringer of Balance
Holy Terror - Mind Wars (Album)
posted by Godwin Interjection at 8:46 AM on September 6, 2011
John Saw That Number – Neko Case
Mindy Smith – Come to Jesus
posted by lovermont at 8:48 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Mindy Smith – Come to Jesus
posted by lovermont at 8:48 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Big Star - Jesus Christ
The Impressions - People Get Ready
posted by hydrophonic at 8:51 AM on September 6, 2011
The Impressions - People Get Ready
posted by hydrophonic at 8:51 AM on September 6, 2011
Emerson Lake and Palmer, Hallowed Be Thy Name (although that's closer actually to scathingly anti-religious Nietzscheanism)
Kansas, Dust In the Wind is a bit like hebrew wisdom literature.
George Harrison, My Sweet Lord
George Harrison, Beware of Darkness
posted by goethean at 8:51 AM on September 6, 2011
Kansas, Dust In the Wind is a bit like hebrew wisdom literature.
George Harrison, My Sweet Lord
George Harrison, Beware of Darkness
posted by goethean at 8:51 AM on September 6, 2011
The Beatles, Within You Without You
George Harrison, Isn't It A Pity
posted by goethean at 9:01 AM on September 6, 2011
George Harrison, Isn't It A Pity
posted by goethean at 9:01 AM on September 6, 2011
Quite a lot of Leonard Cohen songs:
Hallelujah (already mentioned, but I'll put my vote in for the original and not the JB cover)
Anthem
Suzanne (specifically the second verse)
The Window
Story of Isaac
By The Rivers Dark
Although in some ways, almost every song Leonard Cohen has ever sung has that spiritual undercurrent to it.
posted by McCoy Pauley at 9:07 AM on September 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Hallelujah (already mentioned, but I'll put my vote in for the original and not the JB cover)
Anthem
Suzanne (specifically the second verse)
The Window
Story of Isaac
By The Rivers Dark
Although in some ways, almost every song Leonard Cohen has ever sung has that spiritual undercurrent to it.
posted by McCoy Pauley at 9:07 AM on September 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Gentle Arms of Eden by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammar is a great song. I think of it as an evolutionary folk spiritual.
posted by lriG rorriM at 9:19 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by lriG rorriM at 9:19 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Bob Dylan's Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love albums are all explicitly Christian (Shot of Love slightly less so). I think "Gonna Have to Serve Somebody" off Slow Train Coming is particularly great, and it inspired a response from John Lennon, "Serve Yourself" (at least, so sayeth Wikipedia).
Alice Cooper wrote three albums worth of explicitly Christian material as well (The Last Temptation of Alice Cooper, Brutal Planet, and Dragontown), though as you might imagine, it has a different bent than say, Dylan or U2.
posted by Poppa Bear at 9:35 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Alice Cooper wrote three albums worth of explicitly Christian material as well (The Last Temptation of Alice Cooper, Brutal Planet, and Dragontown), though as you might imagine, it has a different bent than say, Dylan or U2.
posted by Poppa Bear at 9:35 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Badly Drawn Boy - Too Many Miracles and Born Again
Nthing U2. Their music has such a spiritual element that it has found a place in religious services: U2Charist
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 9:46 AM on September 6, 2011
Nthing U2. Their music has such a spiritual element that it has found a place in religious services: U2Charist
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 9:46 AM on September 6, 2011
Chuck Berry Down Bound Train is a drunkard's dream about going to hell.
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:33 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:33 AM on September 6, 2011
U2 - Until the End of the World (The band does have a ton of religion-themed songs, and some are more oblique than others, but I thought this was worth mentioning because it's more explicitly about Jesus and Judas with the line "in the garden, I was playing the tart / I kissed your lips and broke your heart / you, you said you'd wait until the end of the world")
XTC - Dear God ("Did you make disease and the diamond blue? / Did you make mankind after we made you?")
Tori Amos - God ("Give not thy strength unto woman, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings / Will you even tell her if you decide to make the sky fall?")
Regina Spektor - Human of the Year ("And thus the cathedral had spoken, wishing well to all the sinners / And with a sigh grew silent, until next year's big human winner") and Laughing With ("God could be funny / When told he'll give you money if you just pray the right way / And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini")
posted by tyrantkitty at 10:50 AM on September 6, 2011
XTC - Dear God ("Did you make disease and the diamond blue? / Did you make mankind after we made you?")
Tori Amos - God ("Give not thy strength unto woman, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings / Will you even tell her if you decide to make the sky fall?")
Regina Spektor - Human of the Year ("And thus the cathedral had spoken, wishing well to all the sinners / And with a sigh grew silent, until next year's big human winner") and Laughing With ("God could be funny / When told he'll give you money if you just pray the right way / And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini")
posted by tyrantkitty at 10:50 AM on September 6, 2011
Rahshaan Roland Kirk - Spirits Up Above
Joubert Singers - Stand on the Word
Campbell Brothers - A Change is Gonna Come
Spacemen 3 - Lord Can You Hear Me?
posted by mike_bling at 11:21 AM on September 6, 2011
Joubert Singers - Stand on the Word
Campbell Brothers - A Change is Gonna Come
Spacemen 3 - Lord Can You Hear Me?
posted by mike_bling at 11:21 AM on September 6, 2011
Blind Faith (Clapton & Winwood), In The Presence of the Lord
posted by goethean at 11:24 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by goethean at 11:24 AM on September 6, 2011
"Hole Hearted" by Extreme, from the "Pornograffiti" album. Straight-up praise song that sounds like a love song.
posted by DWRoelands at 11:29 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by DWRoelands at 11:29 AM on September 6, 2011
"Morning Has Broken" is actually a well known Christian hymn, first published in 1931; not really a secular tune at all. /pedant
Tommy James & the Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion
The Hollies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
Doobie Brothers (and many before them) - Jesus Is Just Alright
Gloria Estefan - Reach
Gladys Knight and The Pips - Where Peaceful Waters Flow
Gordon Lightfoot - Don Quixote
Laura Nyro - And When I Die and Time and Love
Carole King - Way Over Yonder
Steve Winwood - Higher Love and Wake Me Up on Judgement Day
Israel K (or Judy Garland, or many others) - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Tuck & Patti - Learning How to Fly
The Byrds - Turn Turn Turn
posted by paulsc at 11:42 AM on September 6, 2011
Tommy James & the Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion
The Hollies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
Doobie Brothers (and many before them) - Jesus Is Just Alright
Gloria Estefan - Reach
Gladys Knight and The Pips - Where Peaceful Waters Flow
Gordon Lightfoot - Don Quixote
Laura Nyro - And When I Die and Time and Love
Carole King - Way Over Yonder
Steve Winwood - Higher Love and Wake Me Up on Judgement Day
Israel K (or Judy Garland, or many others) - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Tuck & Patti - Learning How to Fly
The Byrds - Turn Turn Turn
posted by paulsc at 11:42 AM on September 6, 2011
Stevie Wonder - Jesus Children of America, Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Have a Talk With God
posted by mike_bling at 12:30 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by mike_bling at 12:30 PM on September 6, 2011
A good chunk of the genre Gothic Americana aka Gothic Folk aka (Dark) Neo-Folk isn't marketed as CCM but draws from old country and old bluegrass traditions, including lyrical and metaphorical content. Some of it may be considered either honestly and forthright, meaning what it says, or in some cases, they feel much more sardonic.
I usually go for the ones that seem more tongue-in-cheek, so here I am, recommending Strawfoot again. Samples available on cdbaby.com, or there are a few recordings on Youtube and their Facebook page.
posted by Weighted Companion Cube at 12:46 PM on September 6, 2011
I usually go for the ones that seem more tongue-in-cheek, so here I am, recommending Strawfoot again. Samples available on cdbaby.com, or there are a few recordings on Youtube and their Facebook page.
posted by Weighted Companion Cube at 12:46 PM on September 6, 2011
A lot of Pete Townshend's material (both solo and with the Who) is pretty spiritual in nature, specifically about his devotion to Meher Baba. My faves on this score are off his 1980 album, Empty Glass: Let My Love Open the Door, And I Moved, I Am an Animal.
Coming from a different angle, Jim Carroll's work (as both a poet and a musician) was suffused with Catholic imagery.
posted by scody at 12:50 PM on September 6, 2011
Coming from a different angle, Jim Carroll's work (as both a poet and a musician) was suffused with Catholic imagery.
posted by scody at 12:50 PM on September 6, 2011
If you're not averse to a bit of choral music, then this one from Rachmaninov's Vespers might do the trick. And there's always Jaga Jazzist's Swedenborgske Rom.
posted by Gentlemanhog at 1:01 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Gentlemanhog at 1:01 PM on September 6, 2011
TV Tropes calls this Not Christian Rock, and its kinda my fvaorite genre
I'm not just saying this because I'm a massive fanboy but pretty much every song by The Hold Steady is about Catholocism and redemption, but viewed through a pseudo-secular lens. Cattle & The Creeping Things probably has the most 'concentrated' number of references, but they're all like that. Since it's already been mentioned upthread, you can also try Stevie Nicks for a concentrated burst of redemption (but you should listen to the rest of the album first).
Drunk Kid Catholic- Bright Eyes
Meet Me By The River's Edge - The Gaslight Anthem (The lead singer is a Christian, but the song is more generally spiritual than straight up religious) He talks about redemption in a few other songs too.
The Mountain Goats – 1 Samuel 15:23 Everything off this album, The Life of the World To Come, counts.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:43 PM on September 6, 2011
I'm not just saying this because I'm a massive fanboy but pretty much every song by The Hold Steady is about Catholocism and redemption, but viewed through a pseudo-secular lens. Cattle & The Creeping Things probably has the most 'concentrated' number of references, but they're all like that. Since it's already been mentioned upthread, you can also try Stevie Nicks for a concentrated burst of redemption (but you should listen to the rest of the album first).
Drunk Kid Catholic- Bright Eyes
Meet Me By The River's Edge - The Gaslight Anthem (The lead singer is a Christian, but the song is more generally spiritual than straight up religious) He talks about redemption in a few other songs too.
The Mountain Goats – 1 Samuel 15:23 Everything off this album, The Life of the World To Come, counts.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:43 PM on September 6, 2011
I'm not entirely sure what Bright Eyes is actually trying to get at here, but Arc of Time is about religion and dealing with the fear of death, and it's a great song.
posted by naoko at 4:58 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by naoko at 4:58 PM on September 6, 2011
Oh, and that TV tropes thread reminded me of Brand New's "Jesus Christ" which is really a great song.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:03 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 5:03 PM on September 6, 2011
Nick Cave goes all over the place, but some of his more modern stuff like Breathless is actually pretty respectful
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:05 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:05 PM on September 6, 2011
Rebels of the Sacred Heart - Flogging Molly
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:08 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:08 PM on September 6, 2011
Oh man, I love this thread. (And I grew up in the era of Extreme and never realised how much like a praise song "Hole Hearted" is!)
There are some interesting faith-y themes in the music of CAKE. For instance, Jesus Wrote a Blank Check is not a bad commentary on cheap grace, and Sheep Go to Heaven and Hem of your Garment use biblical imagery. (I'm not sure what to make of Satan is my Motor!)
Ben Harper has some great religious themes in his music. I particularly love Blessed to be a Witness and Jah Work but there are so many others that name God directly or indirectly.
Paul Kelly (the Australian one) has a song Love is the Law which is lifted straight from Corinthians 13 (the reading anyone who has ever been to a church wedding will know). For some reason I see a few of his songs as being quite religious - for instance, Would you be my friend? and Deeper Water, although I can't really put my finger on it. He also wrote I didn't know love could be mine, which was recorded by Vika and Linda, and has the same kind of feel about it.
Perhaps a bit dated now, but: Fishing for Religion by Arrested Development.
Nthing U2 - add to the list The First Time as a song of praise, and Wake up Dead Man and Peace on Earth if you are up for some shouting-at-God-as-prayer (powerful stuff!)
And for Sufjan Stephens, add Casimir Pulaski Day (listen with caution if you have ever lost anyone to cancer, OMG).
OK now I am flicking through my CD's and coming across Macy Gray's I can't wait to meetchu, and Mary Mary's Shackles (Praise You) - both pretty overtly religious, although both achieved mainstream success. And a final nod to George Harrison's My Sweet Lord, written as a paean to Lord Krishna, and Van Morrison's Have I told you lately that I love you, which he wrote as a song of praise.
posted by Cheese Monster at 5:43 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
There are some interesting faith-y themes in the music of CAKE. For instance, Jesus Wrote a Blank Check is not a bad commentary on cheap grace, and Sheep Go to Heaven and Hem of your Garment use biblical imagery. (I'm not sure what to make of Satan is my Motor!)
Ben Harper has some great religious themes in his music. I particularly love Blessed to be a Witness and Jah Work but there are so many others that name God directly or indirectly.
Paul Kelly (the Australian one) has a song Love is the Law which is lifted straight from Corinthians 13 (the reading anyone who has ever been to a church wedding will know). For some reason I see a few of his songs as being quite religious - for instance, Would you be my friend? and Deeper Water, although I can't really put my finger on it. He also wrote I didn't know love could be mine, which was recorded by Vika and Linda, and has the same kind of feel about it.
Perhaps a bit dated now, but: Fishing for Religion by Arrested Development.
Nthing U2 - add to the list The First Time as a song of praise, and Wake up Dead Man and Peace on Earth if you are up for some shouting-at-God-as-prayer (powerful stuff!)
And for Sufjan Stephens, add Casimir Pulaski Day (listen with caution if you have ever lost anyone to cancer, OMG).
OK now I am flicking through my CD's and coming across Macy Gray's I can't wait to meetchu, and Mary Mary's Shackles (Praise You) - both pretty overtly religious, although both achieved mainstream success. And a final nod to George Harrison's My Sweet Lord, written as a paean to Lord Krishna, and Van Morrison's Have I told you lately that I love you, which he wrote as a song of praise.
posted by Cheese Monster at 5:43 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
From Ms. Vegetable:
Don't know all the artists, as some of them were sung at camp, but:
- The Storm is Passing Over
- Freedom is Coming
- Hine Ma Tov (Hebrew)
- All Creatures of our God and King (Great and Small?)
- Wade in the Water
- Eleanor Rigby - has a Father McKenzie
- Love of the Common People ("Faith is your foundation... don't forget to pray")
- A bunch of songs by Simon and Garfunkle
- the Sister Act 2 sountrack - Joyful, Joyful, His Eye is on the Sparrow, etc.
- I believe I can Fly (edition with the orchestra and gospel choir)
- part of the Remember the Titans soundtrack
And then, of course, Kirk Franklin, the whole soundtrack to Godspell, and John Lennon's "Imagine" has always been comtemplatively nice.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:32 PM on September 6, 2011
Don't know all the artists, as some of them were sung at camp, but:
- The Storm is Passing Over
- Freedom is Coming
- Hine Ma Tov (Hebrew)
- All Creatures of our God and King (Great and Small?)
- Wade in the Water
- Eleanor Rigby - has a Father McKenzie
- Love of the Common People ("Faith is your foundation... don't forget to pray")
- A bunch of songs by Simon and Garfunkle
- the Sister Act 2 sountrack - Joyful, Joyful, His Eye is on the Sparrow, etc.
- I believe I can Fly (edition with the orchestra and gospel choir)
- part of the Remember the Titans soundtrack
And then, of course, Kirk Franklin, the whole soundtrack to Godspell, and John Lennon's "Imagine" has always been comtemplatively nice.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:32 PM on September 6, 2011
David Bowie's song, Somebody Up There Likes Me is an awesome tune in its own right, but I suggest you listen to the lyrics.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 7:16 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 7:16 PM on September 6, 2011
Dylan albums - Slow Train Coming & Saved (personally don't care for them) Also, Shot of Love has "Every Grain of Sand", (which I love).
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:26 AM on September 8, 2011
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:26 AM on September 8, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by snap_dragon at 6:43 AM on September 6, 2011