Spiritual Secular Songs
Why is it that secular songs sound spiritual when you are deep into something awful?
This is a question that I have asked numerous times. This is also a question that is unsurprisingly asked by a character in a project I am working on. This character also suggests that we replace the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John with those of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Ronnie James Dio, Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette, Robert Smith and Alice Cooper. I may not disagree with that, but in some ways she has a point.
I am unashamedly a Christian. And while my books would be rated PG-13 or R, I try to slip in a little Bible somewhere. I have gone to the same church for over 15 years and one of the things that has changed significantly is the music.
A typical service nowadays features three or four worship songs. Worship in the “God you are great and I worship you” sense. Maybe five years ago, there may have been one or two “Christian” songs mixed in. By that I mean, songs not TO God but ABOUT God and what being a Christian meant. Things like loving one another, even those who may not be lovable. “Jesus Friend of Sinners” by Casting Crowns is a perfect example of such a song. And when I first started going, there were actual secular songs played if they supported the message for the week. I remember versions of “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay and “Grey Street” by Dave Matthews.
Over the years, I’ve been comforted by numerous songs. “What’s on My Mind” by Kansas was one of the first such songs when I broke off a failing relationship in high school after two years. It talked about looking back, about no pain for the first time, about finding myself. I would sing the chorus about saying what was on my mind every time it came around, feeling better each time. (I’m being careful to not quote lyrics because I don’t want copyright issues.)
There are innumerable songs about relationships, both good and bad. But if you look closer at some of those songs, many of them could be interpreted with a Christian worldview.
One of the most well-known examples, in my opinion, is “Iris” by my hometown Goo Goo Dolls. There is nothing more universal than wanting someone to know who you are when the world doesn’t see you. It can easily be interpreted as singing to a deity rather than another human. But damn, that chorus can be an inspiration after your boss belittles you or a friend betrays you.
Or take a song like “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby and the Range. This is a song about social injustice and the belief that it could all be different. This song carries the essence of a prayer, does it not? You could easily lump songs like “Let It Be” by the Beatles or the pleading of “Gone Away” by The Offspring under this umbrella.
We could talk about songs based on biblical stories, such as “Adam Raised a Cain” by Bruce Springsteen or “Elijah” by Head East (which actually conflates the name Elijah with the story of Moses – oh well).
My point in this is that something doesn’t have to be quoted in the Bible to be biblical. I was asked once how I can use coarse language and adult situations and then quote Scripture in my books. Which is it? My response to that is that life does not offer up a Davey and Goliath episode as an opportunity to spread the Word. God uses broken people, often like those in my books, to be His hands and feet. He uses real life.
I’m writing something currently that explores the Christian concept of grace. In its ugliest forms. Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, here is another example of a Christian song sung by a secular band: “Homesick” by Soul Asylum.