This is an issue we touched upon the other night at our Bible study. It’s kind of interesting because though we are all seasoned musicians playing music at church, I don’t think there’s any of us that really dig popular Christian music. Why? Well, because it mostly sucks.
Now let’s distinguish between worship music and popular Christian music. Worship music is what you hear at church. It’s written to glorify God, encourage us, and lift our spirits. This is good stuff, and I really enjoy playing it. Popular Christian music is the stuff you hear on Christian radio. It’s designed to sell records to people of the Christian faith.
The problem with popular Christian music is that it’s so cookie cutter and so generic. I signed up to take surveys for the local Christian music station and they sent me my first one today. As I was listening to the songs and rating them, I discovered that with the exception of 3 or 4 songs out of about 50, they all sounded EXACTLY the same. It’s like there’s a sucky music factory out there in the middle of the bible belt stamping out these horrifically simple and uninteresting songs. Honestly, most of them sound like something on the Disney channel, or in a soft drink commercial, or hear around a campfire.
It’s unfortunate because there’s so many creative people out there, but for some reason they feel like they have to mimic everyone else rather than do something off the wall. And the record companies are so bent on profits that they aren’t willing to take chances cultivating new and interesting artists. There’s a certain amount of bias though from Christians themselves. A lot of people think “Christian” means a certain style of music, rather than music having a certain lyrical content. All this combined makes for music that too often is somber and moody and boring.
Why can’t Christians rock? And not that goofy corporate version of rock, I mean really rock! I want AC/DC with clean lyrics. I want Metallica with a positive message. I want Slipknot with a Christian worldview.
Fortunately there are a few heavy bands with a Christian worldview hitting the scene, but what’s really interesting, is that it’s the secular world that’s embracing them, while Christian radio shuns them. Odd. Here’s a few heavy bands that I enjoy. If there’s anyone out there that knows of some other good ones, post them in the comments.
Yes!, I completely agree with the whole “cookie cutter” comment. I find that in way too much of the so-called Christian music of today, as many of the record labels would rather spit out music that sounds like everything else (secular) on the radio rather than take that leap of faith.
At what point does it stop becoming “Christian” and more about flash?
It`s a funny thing about P.O.D., because people tend to wonder why they don`t get all “Christianese” during interviews and whatnot. However, I think they speak volumes in their music and lyrics. So, why punish them for that?
I can`t really say that Christian music should focus more on lyrical content and less on instrumental quality, since you can glorify God without words, but you have to wonder who is really running the show when it comes to Christian artistry.
Hey Dana,
Skillet is pretty good (some of it.) I also like Flyleaf to some extent. Just thought I’d share. Be blessed!
Not ALL christian music sucks. Check out Gory Bateson’s new Christian Country hit, “Your Name,” that has upset some conservative Christians despite its positive message.
The reason it has to suck is quiet simple. It’s not real, it’s not coming from their heart. They are taking other peoples creations such as metal or rock and manipulating it to try in a semi covert way to push there own agenda. Anyone especially kids will spot this right off the bat. Which is why so many christian kids secretly listen to the real deal whenever they can get away from their totalitarian parents. They see that the stuff the christians are putting out is completely phony and bland. They see these real musicians playing not with there hands but with there souls and it speaks to them. They see there is something greater than the christian dogma and even the christian deity that they’ve been told is a god. And they want to be apart of that something, which is why christians fear that kinda music so much. As far as heavy metal with a positive message I’d say Tool would be great for this, although personally I don’t care for their style of playing the message is rather uplifting and truly spiritual in some songs.
If you can bring glory to God without lyrics, then logically you can also bring dishonor to Him without lyrics. The reason I believe Christian music could, and should, never sound as like a lot of other music sounds, is because I don’t think its a Christian sound of music. There’s nothing sacred about it. Its that simple. Now, I totally agree that for the most part, worship music sounds better than other Christian music. But I think that they should be one and the same. There should be no difference. Music that rocks isn’t necessarily bringing honor and glory to God. It can, but it is not a given. And I think this is a big reason why Christian music and secular music can never really sound the SAME. They serve two very completely different purposes. God created music before He created man. Man can never really bring glory to himself with music although he can try. This is because music was created by God and it can only glory or dishonor Him. We humans are experimenting, and stumbling, and bumbling around trying to produce and compose music that probably isn’t that great even when we think its awesome. But God accepts our worship because its worship. Not because it sounds good, or because we sound talented or because we can rock out. Man looks at outward appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.
Christian music should intentionally be quality music. But if in sounding different from secular music we don’t think it sounds as good, then we need to work hard to give God out best. Or we might need to re-think our definition of what sounds like good music.
We’ve talked to several Christian radio stations and were told that they all have a specific sound that their listeners want to hear. They agree that the music all sounds the same, but its what their listeners want to hear.
They also agreed that different styles would benefit the stations, but they’re afraid they’ll lose the current fan base and couldn’t build a new one quickly enough to satisfy advertisers.
Our music is neither hard rock, or typical Christian pop, but a mixture of pop/dance/house Christian music. It’s definitely not the same, but we will never be on Christian radio unless they create a new station. They need a Christian rock station, then Christian pop/dance/hip hop.
I am a follower of Christ for many years and have been involved in Christian & secular music for almost as long. I too agree that Contemporary Christian music is – at best – weak, bland and following a trend, and – at worst – pointless, bland and following a trend.
In the early days of Christian Contemporary music – the Jesus music era, if you will – you could at least tell the difference between the artists – whether you knew them or not. Even as late as the 80′s you could at least tell a Randy Stonehill song from a Mylon, or a Leslie Phillips from an Amy Grant.
Now, I can’t tell Casting Crowns from a Mercy Me from a Third Day.
Same styles – same sounds – WHAT IS THE POINT?
Some will use the stance that they are praising God and as such do not need to appeal to the masses.
Then, why waste the materials it takes to make a recording – just sit in the privacy of your studio and sing to God as much as you want.
No – ultimately, when you lay your tracks down to a recording, the point isn’t so much directed at God as it is to the masses. So, again I ask what is the point?
It is a rare thing to hear something original in secular music as well as Christian, but the Christian realm should have the upper hand – we have the Master of creativity, the Creator of music and art. Worthy of more than a bland “Everywhere I go I see You” chorus – MWS.
I have a relationship with God and believe He deserves more than a passing phrase or melody.
Where is the feeling of “I Am A Servant?, the hope of “King Of Hearts”, the humbled awe of “There Is A Redeemer”?
There are a number of great artists out there – Tree63, Fly Leaf, Switchfoot, Warren Barfield, etc.
But, where are the leaders who will lead us out of this quagmire of mediocrity.
It has nothing to do with the previously stated words “Faith, Jesus, God….” – it has to do with talent, heart, talent, heart, talent & heart. They go hand in hand.
When your heart is in union with God and you’re living for Him you will have a reason to write about Him and for Him, but it takes more than a clever rhyme and an appealing melody.
Although I have been a “Christian” for my life, I became a Christ follower one and a half years ago. Since then I have developed a bit of an interest in Christian music, especially unique rock songs (not just rock) and how that song gives a message… my pastor likes to sometimes use music videos as analogies during sermons and with a good song that relates to the point being discussed during the sermon, music can be made even more powerful.
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Yeah, its a shame that some Christians believe that Christian music must always be positive and uplifting… a few even believe that a Christian’s life must also be that way or they are not good Christians.
I like some uplifting music, though some can be very generic and I am not really a fan of every song on Christian radio.
The original poster said that some bands are rejected (especially on radio), while the secular world likes them more. One song such as this is “Death of Me” by Red. Its not uplifting, its not really positive, but if you listen to the lyrics and watch the video you can see that it is about the battle against sin and your own sinful nature (the man that the singer is running away from is a darker version of himself).
It is UNIQUE and it IS a great Christian song because it talks about how many people turn to sin instead of God to “heal their afflictions”, but how can you (my sinful nature) heal me if you are the sickness and not the cure?
It does not seem Christian at first glance, but ESPECIALLY because even after accepting Christ the sinful nature does not just drop dead and there are still troubles in this life, this type of music has a very important part to play. For example, Death of Me is not uplifting but it focuses on the war of us against the folly of our sinful natures.
It shouldnt be all that Christian radio stations play, but it should have a presence and Christians should listen to these songs and think about the meaning of the lyrics while still enjoying the awesome guitar and drum playing.
music is spiritually inspired by either faith based or demonic forces and as man lives in a sin nature and satan is also known as a musician we know that this is already a stomping ground for the enemy. in this God has saved us yet we are still tempted and easily distracted by satan therefore we must guard ourselves from the enemy who since he no longer has our souls wishes to stop us from witnessing to others and will distract us at every instance possible. listen to the lyrics. eminem, three days grace, nirvana, breaking benjamin have all made lyrical references to losing their souls. train yourselves and search the word. christ be with you