Listener Response
I'm not an advocate of reader response interpretation. I don't appreciate the subjectivity. But I realized that as I listen to the world--and for the purposes of this post, secular music--I listen through my faith and, when possible, construct a meaning for myself. Particularly with music that I find moving, I am compelled to think in terms of my faith because I can't stand to take the lyrics that often accompany great instrumentation at face value. I say "often," because it's not always the case, but I do find it unusual that my values align with those who hold a different worldview. Many times lyrics portray a level of devotion to a significant other or an ideal that I would reserve for God. All this to say, I really like the song "Right Here" by Staind. Their lyrics are typically pocked with profanity, so don't take this as a blanket endorsement, but they are also charged with emotion about the reality of life. Rock has always helped me keep in touch with the existential angst of the world, and Staind does that well, lest I forget that people are generally not content with the way things are. Anyway, I don't really know what "Right Here" is about. I would guess that it is not about God, but the video contains provocatively religious icons. Other songs that I have not heard have titles that indicate an interaction with Christianity. Here is how I hear this song: Labels: Music
Right Here
ME:
I know I’ve been mistaken
But just give me a break
And see the changes that I’ve made
I’ve got some imperfections
But how can you collect them all
And throw them in my face?
But you always find a way
To keep me right here waiting
You always find the words to say
To keep me right here waiting
And if you chose to walk away
I’d still be right here waiting
Searching for the things to say
To keep you right here waiting
GOD:
I hope you’re not intending
To be so condescending
It’s as much as I can take
You’re so independent
You just refuse to bend
So I keep bending ‘till I break
But you always find a way
To keep me right here waiting
You always find the words to say
To keep me right here waiting
And if you chose to walk away
I’d still be right here waiting
Searching for the things to say
To keep you right here waiting
ME:
I’ve made a commitment
I’m willing to bleed for you
I needed fulfillment
I found what I need in you
Why can’t you just forgive me?
I don’t want to relive all the mistakes I’ve made along the way
GOD:
But I always find a way
To keep you right here waiting
I always find the words to say
To keep you right here waiting
ME:
But you always find a way
To keep me right here waiting
You always find the words to say
To keep me right here waiting
And if I chose to walk away
Would you be right here waiting?
Searching for the things to say
To keep me right here waiting?
3 Comments:
It's nice to see this new wide-eyed appreciation for secular genious!
Check this one out by Hoobastank:
"The Reason"
ME:
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You [x4]
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
New? No no. My advocacy of Christian music is simply because it is what hurts for appreciation. I have always lamented the obvious quality difference between musical genius in the secular world and the typical lack thereof in the Christian world (speaking in terms of post-Classical music). My previous fast from secular music was because I also lament that too many songs cannot be redeemed, and those tend to fill me up with what inevitably must come back out. Unfortunately, where Christian music once won in terms of lyrics, there are a lot of songs that aren't speaking my language anymore, and I am still able to find very expressive language among secular writers. As much as anything, though, I enjoy hearing an echo of God in the songs of those who are searching for him, wherever they are on the journey.
You didn't mean to incite that depth of response, I'm guessing.
I've never heard this song before. Memphis' stations have a strange tendency to play the same few songs over and over. Songs such as "Lips of an Angel" (unredeemable). I can see why you like this one.
Just glad I could contribute to your growing iTunes library!
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