Not Christian Rock: Difference between revisions

''If they knew you believed in God above?''

''They should realize before they criticize''

 

[[Christian Rock]] is defined by being explicitly Christian. Then there are some works that aren't, but could still fool some people.

In many cases, it's more a thematic thing than if God or Jesus is actually mentioned, but there is often a clear influence.

 

 

This trope is often the result of [[Faux Symbolism]] when bands invoke Judeo-Christian motifs solely for show/aesthetic appeal and people take the imagery literally. Also compare [[Everyone Is Jesus in Purgatory]], another common explanation for this trope.

{{examples}}

* [[The Band]] often used Christian or Biblical imagery. Their most famous song, "The Weight", is a good example ("I pulled into Nazareth..."), see also "Daniel and the Sacred Harp", others.

* The [[New Romantic]] band Ultravox might be confused for a Christian band, especially because of "Dear God", and "Hymn" to a lesser extent. "Dear God" is decidedly spiritual (ala [[U2]]), but the band itself is not explicitly Christian. In fact, "Answers to Nothing" openly questions religion.

* Certain songs by Kansas, such as "Dust In The Wind" and "Carry On Wayward Son." Some members of the group have, later on, joined the Christian Rock scene. Those songs are actually about a Platonistic world view, and a drug trip respectively.

* "Spirit in The Sky": Norman Greenbaum is Jewish, but he thought it would be fun to write a gospel song, even though he knew nothing about gospel music. Of course, he had no idea that he'd end up as a [[One-Hit Wonder]], with that song as his one hit. The fact that it has [[Epic Riff|the most epic fuzz guitar riff ever recorded]] didn't hurt, either.

** And then Bauhaus [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zspU9LWZWFM covered it] and made it sound like a funeral dirge.

** Cronos from Venom has said in the past that part of the reason for his choice of lyrical topics comes from his disappointment that so many Black Sabbath songs seemed so evil and apocalyptic and Satanic, then ended with "oh God please help me." So he decided to write similar lyrics, but with all the salvation ripped out.

** "Oh please God, help me."...[[Metallica]] do this in One, but it's heavily implied that his prayers are not answered.

* Of all metal bands, '''''[[Slayer]]''''' actually has an interesting variation that could potentially make the heads of [[The Fundamentalist]] explode en masse a la [[Scanners]]...especially hilarious if you know the trope they have bred of being essentially Eviller Than Venom.

** The song "[http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/slayer/southofheaven.html#2 Silent Scream]" on ''South Of Heaven'' is based on a [[wikipedia:The Silent Scream|a rather infamous anti-abortion video]] (showing the dismemberment of a fetus by D&X via ultrasound, very graphically focusing on the apparent death throes of the fetus). In fact, the song lyrics pretty much EXACTLY match the plotline of the film and are in part written from the perspective of the fetus being aborted.

* A few of [[The Who|Pete Townshend's]] songs, including "Bargain", "Drowned" and "Let My Love Open the Door", could be considered Christian rock... were Townshend not a pseudo-Hindu pantheist who follows the teachings of Meher Baba. The latter song, according to Townshend, is explicitly written from God's POV.

* Carolina Liar's "Show Me What I'm Looking For" is indistinguishable from Christian Rock, but they've never been confirmed as Christians. The only discordant note in the video is the singer apparently just having slept with a woman. Of course, that might be exactly the type of life he's trying to escape. Or she's his wife.

** ''The Fallen'' could also be considered in favor of Jesus himself, but a [[Take That]] at many of his followers.

* Sticking with Glasgow-based bands, [[Belle and Sebastian]] also have a fair number of overtly Christian lyrics: "If you find yourself trapped in love / Say a prayer to the man above", for example - though not always that conventionally. "If You're Feeling Sinister" has a character who is into "S&M and Bible studies, not exactly everybody's cup of tea" (well, maybe not all in one afternoon, no).

* [[The Flaming Lips]] released an album called ''In a Priest Driven Ambulance'' that has many references to God and Jesus, although the singer, Wayne Coyne is an atheist. Wayne said, "Oh, it's not a Christian album. We just used the name Jesus in the songs." In any case, the fact that their first album has a song named "Jesus Shootin' Heroin" is clue enough about their not being Christian rock.

* Most of the songs by [[Spiritualized]] use faith as a theme (as you would expect with this band name), and how the singer fails to be saved (notably from substance abuse). He sometimes resorts to begging to an unseen God. Their sound is orchestral and processional. Good examples are

** Which is actually from the title of an Alice In Chains song.

** More than a few people think that [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] is a Christian band.

*** And that their first album was called "From Genesis to Revelation".

*** Or a Christian video game console.

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Music Tropes]]