By Jeremy Myers Filed Under Music and Art Written on March 10, 2011

A Letter to Christian Songwriters

Dear Christian Songwriter,

I would like to ask you to stop writing songs.

It is clear that most of you have not experienced the pain and tragedy of life, and until you do, your songs are empty and void of meaning. Sure, you can put together a nice melody which causes people to hug and sway, but is this really what you want to accomplish through your music? If so, then ignore the rest of this letter.

But if you want your music to actually connect with people–including men–I have a few suggestions.

First, Jesus is not my boyfriend.

Jesus and I are friends, but as a man, I don’t really want to be in his arms, feel his breath on my cheek, or lay my head on his chest.

These songs make me shiver. And not in a good way.

I don’t want to hold his hand, sit on his lap, or kiss him. What’s next? A lap dance for Jesus?

Second, enough already with the blood.

I don’t want to sing about fountains of the precious blood of Jesus. Such an image belongs in a horror movie, not in a church song…unless you’re going for horror, then it might be appropriate.

I mean, if you want to write a Gothic, soul-shrieking song about his torture and death on the cross, fine. But don’t write a tune that sounds like you are dancing on the rainbows, and then pair it with lyrics about blood and gore. It just doesn’t work.

Third, more pain please.

I know, I know. Church songs are supposed to be uplifting and encouraging. But do you want to know what is really uplifting and encouraging?

People who deal with reality.

Most of the people in the pews are facing intense amounts of pain, loneliness, despair, hurt, fear, depression, heartache, loss, anger, frustration, bitterness, resentment, and _________ (fill in the blank for the next two pages).

When we write songs about being “happy, happy, happy all the time” it makes people just feel worse. They think, “Am I really supposed to be happy all the time? I’m not. What is wrong with me?” And then their pain, loneliness, despair, hurt, fear, depression, heartache, loss, anger, frustration, bitterness, resentment, etc., etc., only gets worse.

If you songwriters are not experiencing this kind of pain, then you should stop writing songs. Can there be happy, joyful songs? Yes, but only in the midst of the pain.

Some song suggestions.

To see what kind of songs I’m looking for, read the songs David wrote. You can find them in the middle of your Bible.

The first 100 or so are full of pain, loneliness, despair, hurt…etc. I think if he were writing songs today, they might go something like this:

I hate him God, I hate him!
Slash his tires,
May his house start on fire.
Let him get sick and die!

As I write those suggested lyrics, I am imagining a wailing grunge guitar, with some angry thrashing on the drums, and a guy screaming into the microphone.

Or maybe this:

Where are you God?
You said you will never leave.
But I don’t see you,
And so I don’t believe.

That melody would have the wistful feeling of being lost. A sense of discordant searching, but never settling or finding the right tempo and beat.

And I know these aren’t the best lyrics, but I’m not a songwriter. You are.

One more suggestion. You know what songs I would really like to hear? Songs from the perspective of orphans and widows who have been sold into sex slavery. Songs from prostitutes who are still selling themselves. Songs of drug addicts who have not been delivered. Do any of them still believe in God? If so, what do they sing? I think that would be the most beautiful and moving music ever.

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David

Myself and a friend were discussing something very similar to this…we heard it in a song played on a very popular christian radio station, but I’ve heard it many other times in a few specific bands.

It’s that whole “ride the fence” songwriting thing. The song we heard yesterday, we listened about halfway through, and I couldn’t tell if it was a song to Christ, or to the girl’s boyfriend! We poked fun for a bit…but then talked about this same topic. I don’t like that some bands do a VERY good job at being too vague with their songs, leaving it up to the listener to decide. You’re just as likely to hear it as a song on AIR1 as you are to hear two 14 year olds calling it “their song”. It’s upsetting.

This is a little bit of a soap box when it come to certain secular tunes played on christian radio stations….no bueno.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

I think I heard a song like this recently too. As I listened, I couldn’t tell if he was singing to Jesus or his girlfriend.

A while back I read or heard something from Michael Frost about this. I wish I could remember what it was and where. I seem to recall he has a chapter in a book or maybe he did a talk at a church called “Jesus is not my girlfriend.” If anybody knows where this is, let me know!

John Fisher

I’m sure there are other times he has discussed it, so this might not be the instance you remember, but I know Frost discusses his issue with ‘Jesus is my boyfriend’ songs in the ‘Dangerous Songs’ section of “Exiles.” It’s a pretty good book, though it seemed to me that the further you got in the book the less it became about discussing interesting ideas about applying Christian ideals in the society we find ourselves in and more it became a lot of his personal prescriptions for what needs to be done and a venting of his worst pet peeves, filled with just a bit to much anger. I need to be careful with my criticisms though, I provide a lot more detail to what I take exception too than what I found valuable, I really do mean it when I say overall it was a good read.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Thanks John. Yes, I think I wrote this post after I read that chapter from “Exiles.” It is a great chapter.

http://tommyab.wordpress.com tommyab

mmm.
thanks.
http://tommyab.wordpress.com tommyab

I’ve always felt very unconfortable that so much christians could be paid as musicians and earn their lives with it… while we have so many brothers/sisters who live in the midst of terrible persecutions… and we have just around us thousands of poor

when christian get enough wealthy to have so many radio stations, and so many “creator” who live by this industry, there is a problem.

it reminds me all the spirituality around the religious buildings in the middle-age…

where is the humility of the cross??
it says to the world: “look at us. how good we are. we make music as good as yours, so that our people can be entertained too.”

I throw away almost all my “christian music” about 8 years ago, feeling that paying 20$ for my own pleasure and to isolate me culturally more from the world around me was completely innapropriate.

I don’t say everybody sould do the same. just follow your conscience

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Good point. Of course, it’s not just music. It’s also the publishing industry, the conference circuit, etc.

I guess I don’t mind all these things so much except when, as you point out, it seems to be an attempt to get the world to like us.

http://www.bonarcrump.com B Crump

Herein lies the rub. I’ll grant that it’s an over generalization to suggest that most Christian musicians haven’t yet experienced the angst of doubt and despair, but once you get paid to record a song you have to record the song that gets you paid. It’s why Johnny Lang refuses to be pigeonholed as a Christian musician because of a very faith-filled album he put out some years ago. He knew it would mean the death of his career if he accepted the moniker of “christian artist”. There’s some cheese on that album, but there’s also some real hurt and soul there too.

What I’m clambering on about is that I blame the industry. There’s no room in the christian music industry for heartfelt angst, depression, and grief. It’s all syrupy sweet bs that takes the image of Christianity one step further down the road of ridiculousness reinforcing the cultural mindset that if I want to partner with Jesus then I need to get my act together first. If I were to hear one more song in my lifetime about the gentle caress of my savior I think I’d jam a spoon in my left eye socket.

However, to each their own. I say let the industry stay the way it is continuing to give out Dove awards to Michael W. Smith each year just like they did when I was in high school in the mid 80′s. I don’t think I should expect any of these listeners to jump over to my Cage the Elephant station on Slacker and dial up “Backstabbin’ Betty”. Their faces would melt. That’s cool. To each they’re own.

What I’m saying is that if you want angst and searching and reality you need to jump ship. Music is about exploring one’s inner universe…not about a constant reaffirmation of what you “think” you already know. If you ask me, I’ll tell you that my Jesus listens to Adult Alternative on Slacker and has a special affinity for Train’s “if it’s love” http://youtu.be/BO7rcjnevww . Seriously, I have chosen to be a realist.

Realist – Someone who accepts the world as it really is and not as they wish that it was.

Philosophical rant: baby-boomers checked out of during the early sixties on through the seventies. They did some crazy rebellion, but they also cranked out a ton of meaningful music and shifted the paradigm entirely. But what we see in Christian music today is, in part, due to the conservative society’s rejection of the boomers and the “hippies” rejection of the conservative mindset. Christian music is 50 years behind the curve because hippies developed their soulful, searching, visceral music during a time of war and upheaval and spoke the truth without regard for the musical mores of the time. They just did what felt real.

….or maybe I’m hallucinating again…

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Awesome, awesome comment. Maybe you are right. Just let “Christian music” go the way of emptiness, and turn to stations that are actually singing about pain. I listen almost completely to my local Rock Alternative station now…or, dare I say it? – country.

Some of the songs by Pink, Nickleback, The Fray, Linkin Park, and others have become lifesongs for me. I’ll check out “If It’s Love.” I can’t recall if I’ve heard it or not.

http://www.mopcolorado.blogspot.com FedExMOP

Jeremy,

Great thoughts. I can stand pretty much any genre of music, but at least be clear who and what you are singing about.

I do think there are a few artists out there who really write from their hearts, but they don’t usually get much airplay. Todd Agnew is one of my favorites, with lines like “I cannot believe I’m this dirty, I’m ashamed to even ask to be clean” and “my Jesus would never be accepted in my church, the blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet” what’s not to love. I also like Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns and Downhere. If you have not heard Stained Glass Mascarade by Casting Crowns of The Real Jesus by Downhere, you should definately search them on YouTube and listen.

I really tend to listen to music that pokes a stick in the eye of the traditional church. But then I also tend to like teachers who do the same. The music I listen to now is stuff that pushes me toward genuine relationship with others and Jesus.

Your Brother In Christ,

FedEx,
President,
Men of Praise Motorcycle Ministry

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

I haven’t heard the one by Todd Agnew or Downhere. I will check them out. I loved that album by Casting Crowns you refer to. I listened to it almost every day when I was going through some of my darkest times. The entire album was full of pain and rejection that people experience in life.

The one song still gets me…”I was sure by now, that you would have reached down, and wiped my tears away. Stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say ‘Amen” and it’s still raining….” That’s the way I feel all the time.

But then in subsequent albums, I think they kind of “sold out.” The recent album is just “happy” “praise Jesus” “Hallelujah” songs. These are great for getting people to hug and sway, but are empty of content.

mands81

Thanks for posting this.hehehe
L. Bowser

I partly agree here. The main problem I have with a lot of contemporary christian music, is they try to leave Christ out of it.

I believe your characterization of david and the Psalms is a little off. David wrote about pain and sorrow, but he almost always brought it back to love for God, and how God was his protector, provider, etc… Even in his psalms written at times he was running for his life. I don’t always see that as much different than what many Christian artists do today.

By the way, there are plenty of great songs about suffering, our own imperfect nature and the hypocrisy that many of us display in our daily lives. The problem isn’t necessarily with the artists. It’s often with the listeners. We listen to a station to “be fed”.

Unfortunately, Christians, like many Americans, often prefer to eat a light meal and then gorge on dessert; the gooey crap that makes us feel good for a while, rather than the meat and potatoes that can fuel us in our everyday walk to be productive for the kingdom. Growth is painful. Challenging ourselves is hard.

So until people stop listening to dessert, and eating their vegetables and lean mean — metaphorically speaking — you’ll won’t have as much of the music you’re looking for.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

I can always hope for some of these songs. There are a few artists out there that get it sometimes…though not all of them are “Christian.”

http://cashcoach.net/ Jon

Great post to stir up some debate here, but I think you are only focusing on PART of what David wrote in the Psalms. Yes there were imprecatory prayers, but they were not prayed so David could be vindicated, but so God could be glorified. Sure, we can leave the blood out of our songs, but then we should also take it out of our Bibles. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sins.” This is why the Bible calls it the “precious blood” of Christ. If Jesus Himself thought it was that important to talk about the blood over and over again, then maybe we should sing about it. I think the problem is that these horror movies have glorified violence to the point that it’s all we can picture in our minds when someone mentions the blood of Christ. I agree that most great songs were sung out of pain. “How Great Thou Art” was written after a man lost his children, and “O Love that Will not Let me Go” was written after a man lost his finacee because he was going blind and she did not want to be married to a blind man. But the songs they wrote were songs of hope and about how much God loves us in spite of our circumstances. To me, that is the true paradox in writing songs in the midst of hurt. You can either give in to the pain and write about how much every stinks, or you can see God in it all and thank praise Him for His was are higher than our ways.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

So many songwriters want to sing about hope without the pain, anger, fear, and frustration of life. Hope can only come after we take a hard look at life. And I’m not against talking about or even singing about the shed blood of Jesus. It just needs to be in the proper context.

I hadn’t heard that story about “How Great Thou Art” though I did hear a similar story about the hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.”

http://www.scrollwork.blogspot.com Scrollwork

LOL! Say it like it is, Jeremy. For me, I’m more inspired by the melody, so the old hymns move me in a way that contemporary music somehow can not.

I have a friend who wrote her first Christian blog post more than a month ago and then hasn’t posted since then. Asked why, she said she doesn’t want to post when in the midst of dark emotions. But that’s precisely why I think she ought to write. These apply to writing songs as well:

1) If you let your turbulent circumstances silence your praise, Satan has won.
2) If you only ever write after the rainbow has come out, your Pollyanna tone will be harder to relate to.
3) If you don’t write to clarify your thoughts, you’re missing out on one of life’s best cathartic methods.

Maybe a blog post would convince her to begin posting again. Shall you write it, or shall I? Maybe we both can!

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

There are so many people out there in pain right now, it is helpful to see that others are going through similar suffering. Go ahead and write a post encouraging her to write, and when you do, let me know about it so I can read it.

http://www.agape3music.blogspot.com Agape Three Music

I like to listen to Scripture songs http://www.agape3music.blogspot.com
Kirk

glad you posted this, I always thought all these things too. I thought I was just crazy!

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

You’re not crazy. Most Christian music is crazy.

Sheila Lagrand

Much of the music, like many of the churches, have become so seeker sensitive that they’re portraying only a little corner of a portrait of our Savior.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

This is true. Empty church music is a result of seeker sensitive churches who also provide empty teaching.

Jesse

Good post. I often think the same things sometimes about Christian music. I love it and listen to it all the time, but I’m with you in thinking that many of these artists aren’t realistic when it comes to the pain and suffering in life. Although, sometimes I’m caught off guard. The group Selah sings a song called “Unredeemed” and admittedly, when I first heard it, thought it was full of some cliche words and empty. But, then I watched a clip where one of the singers spoke about having recently lost his daughter and the song had a lot of meaning to him. That’s why in Christian music, I really like the artists who do talk about their struggles and don’t pretend that their walk with God is all peas and carrots.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

That’s interesting about Selah. I wonder how many of the songs that sound empty might have a lot of meaning if we knew the back story…

Nycole

I am a young Christian songwriter. I am only 16 years old and the amount of pain that i have felt in my life is at a minimum compared to others. I write my songs about what God lays on my heart and I ,likewise, feel mostly moved by a song when it is about the pain and suffering of the people in this world. Or, as i like to call it, the real stuff. Yes, there is happiness in Christ, but people need to know that even in their darkest days that there is beauty in their pain. I know I have been called into the music ministry. It’s very scary to think about sometimes but im ready to share, what God wants me to say, with this broken world. I have only writen 6 songs, but God has already used them. It’s crazy to think that God would choose me, a terrible sinner, to spread His word through song, but none of the words in my songs come from me. I could never write a song alone. I could never come up with a decent strumming pattern on my guitar alone. It’s all God. I think when Christian songwriters come to the realization of the tremendous blessing it is to share Gods word through song and to share true life experiences through song that the music ministry will be better off. I have not yet made a cd or even played a real gig, but i pray when the time does come that i can hold strong to the truth that God has told me so young. That I am nothing without Him. But because He is so gracious He allows me to call Him Father! We are the chosen generation!!

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Thank you, Nycole.

Do you have any music on YouTube or elsewhere that we can go listen to?

Thanks!

Nycole

I haven’t put them on YouTube yet but I might soon. They are only on my Facebook, which is set to private.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Ok. So friends of yours on Facebook can see them?

Greg D

I have to agree. Contemporary Christian music has never really resonated with me in more ways than one. I never cared much for the music itself, and the lyrics just seemed superficial to me. Not to mention the lack of diversity in both the music and the artists. In fact, there are only a handful of Christian artists/music that I have ever truly enjoyed. And, in most part it was because I simply liked their sound. Instead, music like the blues, soul/R&B, and country music all seem to accurately convey the hurts, raw grit, and emotion of the broken human condition. Artists like Johnny Cash and Aretha Franklin come to mind. Along with Waylon Jennings and Ray Charles. Willie Nelson and Tina Turner. Artists who faced a troubled life that began with their childhood and only carried on to their adulthood. Granted, some of their problems were made manifest by their poor choices, but aren’t we all victims of our poor choices?

Not only is Christian music bad in most part (although I think it’s getting better), but Christian film seems to be the cheesiest. I am ashamed at where Christian “art” has gone. There was a time when some of the best art in the world were performed and created by Christians. But, it seems we became so obsessed with right behavior, right theology, and right beliefs, that everything else was dumped out the window, including music, art, and film.

I think Christianity would make a better name for itself if it improved upon it’s image in more ways than one. God is beautiful. And what He did on the cross by taking something so sinister and dark (the cross) and turning it into something so glorious is something very profound. God is an artist. Have you ever looked at an amazing sunset, or a beautiful garden? If God is beautiful and appreciates beauty and excellence, then so should we.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Greg,

Fantastic points. I have often learned the most amazing things about God, Jesus, sin, righteousness, salvation, and church by listening to the soul-wrenching and gritty real-life songs of some secular Country and Rock/Alternative artists.

And I’m with you on the movies. Although, as you say, we are getting better….

Christians should be some of the most creative and honest people on earth because of the God we love and serve.

http://ilifejourney.wordpress.com Rick Alvey

I have not followed your blog for all that long but one of the things I have appreciated is that your presentations tend to be thoughtful, objective and respectful. I have to say that this blog was a complete change from that pattern. Perhaps you’re just writing from a place of great angst but the tone of this blog seems very judgemental and condemning.

“…stop writing songs.” Really? If a person’s blog post(s) does nothing to stir your spirit and seems to you to be empty and void of real meaning do you suggest that they stop writing a blog?

Let me say right up front that I don’t have a favorite genre of music and believe that Christian music can be good or bad based primarily on the content. And I agree with the comments made that there are some serious issues within the Christian music industry. But some of your generalizatons miss the mark.

From my experience, hymns make reference to the blood of Christ much more frequently than newer songs do. But I agree with you that context is the key. And while David was not shy about expressing his angst, he usually concludes such Psalms with a summary such as “But I will trust You” or “Yet still I will praise you.”

Without knowing some of the artists or songs you are specifically referring to it’s hard to comment; but the general observations you make don’t describe the bulk of Christian music I listen to or am exposed to. Perhaps the local regions we live in vary in what gets more air time.

As for songs with real-life grit Rich Mullins was one of the best. Andrew Peterson has a very similar style as well. “Beauty Will Rise” by Steven Curtis Chapman is one of the most powerful CD’s out there; written after the accidental death of their youngest adopted daughter.

I agree that there is much that needs to be dialogued about regarding the realm of Christian music/worship songs and I applaud you for addressing the topic; but I think you’ll get more meaningful dialogue with an atmosphere that is more respectful and less accusatory.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Rick,

This post was actually written several years ago when I was indeed going through a very difficult time in my life, and nearly every top Christian song that hit the radio sounded empty and meaningless, as if those who wrote them had never experienced any real pain or hardship.

So…. guilty as charged!

But I do agree with you. There are some artists out there who touch on the pain, the doubt, and the troubles of life. Along with the ones you listed, I have also benefited from Casting Crowns. That album got me through a lot of pain.

http://ilifejourney.wordpress.com Rick Alvey

I understand! And I appreciate your honesty and transparency!

mark brown

Amen to Rich Mullins!
I miss him; and his lyrics would prob. be just as real (and speaking from the pain of life) if he were still alive and writing now (being older, of course).

I suppose he hasn’t been getting older for over a decade now, since he’s outside the realm of time (marked by our aging bodies and physical universe).

But he’s part of that “great cloud of witnesses” (if I’m understanding that reference correctly… in context, etc.), and “We’ll be together again.” [a song written and performed by his Ragamuffin brothers]

“The peace of Christ to you” all,

- M.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Rich Mullins did have some great, honest, hard hitting lyrics.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1152226124 Jason O’Steen on Facebook

Matthew West takes it to a whole new level, he takes the stories of others as inspiration to write his and many others lyrics and music.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

I will check him out. I have not heard of him….

http://www.ryansprague.com ryan85

I was actually going to make the same recommendation. Particularly his album, The Story of Your Life. Every song is biographical in nature, and was prompted by testimonial letters he received from people. My two favorites are Family Tree and Two Houses. Family Tree was inspired by a woman whose father left her to chase a homosexual lifestyle and contracted AIDS after a volatile relationship with her mother, and Two Houses is about a person wrestling with his parent’s divorce and the platitudes he received. I think the album is up your alley, lyrically speaking.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

I checked my wife’s iTunes, and she has already downloaded a few of his songs. They are real, just as you said. I will listen to a few of the others!

http://www.esztertun.wordpress.com Esther

At first I was scared to look at the comments, thinking you would be getting lambasted for lambasting. Of course I’d be scared to put it so bluntly, but I know exactly what why you feel strongly about it. Great to read your perspective and the responses.

Sometimes I feel lost in the vast volumes of songs. And I’m just baffled by the assumption that worship equals singing, and therefore we must always sing a few songs in order to meet with each other properly.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Esther,

Yes, I was pretty harsh in my post, and have softened somewhat now… But you are right that worship does not equal singing. There are so many ways to worship God, and singing is only one of them!

Victoria

Hi, I just Stumbled across this site I’m actually looking for a song writer whos songs will stand out above the rest! I have a daughter who is wanting to sing Christian music that will make an impact on the younger generation! She is very passionate about making a difference and I believe feels the same! Toby Mac etc. are the groups she likes but also listens to up beat other music that teens listen too! If you know of any one who is a writer that writes up beat 2015 style music please let me know!! She wants to make a demo that we can push that will make a difference today! Thanks so much!