Comment

Then You Die

By

Scripture tells us that creation groans as it waits for for the sons of God to be revealed (Rom 8:19).

Do you know what this groaning sounds like? If you listen, you can hear it every day.

Where? On our radios. On iTunes. On CDs. On iPods.

One of the main places creation groans is through music.

Bitter Sweet SymphonyLots of Christians believe that we should only listen to “Christian music.” I sometimes wonder if this is a lie perpetuated by some in the Christian music industry so that we financially support mediocre musicians, but that’s probably too harsh. What is boils down to is that some think that non-Christian music is “evil.”

I couldn’t disagree more. It is in “non-Christian” music where we can hear the voice of our dying world, and listen to their cries for help, their search for something true, and see most clearly their longing for unconditional love.

Listen to the song below and hear the groaning.

The song is called “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve (Urban Hymns 1997). It is a song about about life, and the emptiness of living as a slave to money just so you can die. And interestingly, from the perspective of the musician, there’s nothing that can be done about it. He can’t change it. He can’t change himself. Nothing will change. You just have to keep going.

We live. We make money. We die. That’s life. There are millions of people who want others to recognize their pain, but nobody hears, and so we go back to living to make money until we can die.

Bleak? Yes. But that is what life is like for most people, despite any smile they show the world.

Maybe most ironically of all, this song led to a major lawsuit between Verve vocalist Richard Ashcroft and Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones. The Verve had licensed a sample from The Rolling Stone’s song “The Last Time,” but it was later argued that The Verve used “too much” of the sample, including some bongo drums which had not been licensed. Eventually, Richards and Jagger won the lawsuit, awarding them 100% of the royalties for this song. You can read more about it here.

It is ironic that Ashcroft wrote a song about how life is little more than a chase after money, and then other insanely rich musicians sued him for all the money from the song. The song turned out to be more bitter sweet than The Verve ever intended.

Anyway, here is the video with the lyrics down below.

LYRICS:

‘Cause it’s a bittersweet symphony, this life
Trying to make ends meet.
You’re a slave to money then you die.
I’ll take you down the only road I’ve ever been down.
You know the one that takes you to the places
where all the veins meet yeah.

No change, I can’t change
I can’t change, I can’t change.
But I’m here in my mind
I am here in my mind.
But I’m a million different people
from one day to the next.
I can’t change my mind
No, no, no, no, no, no, no,no,no,no,no,no.

Well I never pray
But tonight I’m on my knees yeah.
I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah.
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now.
But the airways are clean and there’s nobody singing to me now.

No change, I can’t change.
I can’t change, I can’t change.
But I’m here in my mind
I am here in my mind.
And I’m a million different people
from one day to the next.
I can’t change my mind
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
I can’t change
I can’t change it.

‘Cause it’s a bittersweet symphony, this life.
Trying to make ends meet
Trying to find some money then you die.
I’ll take you down the only road I’ve ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places
where all the veins meet yeah.

You know I can’t change, I can’t change
I can’t change, I can’t change.
But I’m here in my mind
I am here in my mind.
And I’m a million different people
from one day to the next.
I can’t change my mind
No, no, no, no, no.

I can’t change my mind
no, no, no, no, no.
I can’t change.
Can’t change my body,
no, no, no.

I’ll take you down the only road I’ve ever been down.
I’ll take you down the only road I’ve ever been down.
Been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
That you’ve ever been down
That you’ve ever been down

The newsletter includes a weekly blog digest
and the monthly newsletter with exclusive news and offers. This month's offer is a
free copy of my eBook
The Skeleton Church.

How Frequently Do You Want to Receive Blog Posts?
Daily Blog Posts
Weekly Post Summary
BOTH Daily Posts AND Weekly Summary

In Music and Art
permalink
  • http://mickholt.com/ mickholt

    When I stopped listening to secular music, I read several books about the “evils” of music – in general – rock and roll in particular and there were even some write-ups about the evils of Christian rock – hogwash. Well, for some it it’s hogwash. Here’s what I came up with: music is only as evil as we allow it to be. Like money it is not “evil” on its own. Like a brick it only does what we tell it to do – build or destroy, otherwise it just sits. Can it become evil? No, but we can use it in evil ways or become addicted to it or turn it – or the musicians – into idols, then it becomes sinful.
    There are a couple acts whose writing I was always really impressed with – believe it or not, the 80′s hair band “Skid Row” had a very gifted lyic writer. He presented some very deep penetrating ideas that still come to mind today. And, again, believe it or not, Nikki SIxx, from Motley Crue fame is a very good writer. I especially like his writing from projects outside MC.

    It is our choice, not the music.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Mickholt,

      Right. The music itself is not evil, just like money, a knife, or anything else.

      You know, I never listened to Skid Row. They were producing music at a time I thought all secular music was evil. But yes, I think you are saying something similar to what I was suggesting: much secular music has redeeming qualities– ideas and words that make us think about life, understand the pain people are going through, see what they are searching for and wanting from life.

      I guess I should go download some Skid Row, Nikki Sixx, and Motley Crue from iTunes!

  • Dan

    Um so you assume that every song that is not Christian related is like that by the Verve?? About feeling empty? Listen to modern radio Jeremy.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      No, I am not assuming that, so I am little confused by what you are saying. What are you assuming I am assuming?

      • Dan

        As in…listen to modern radio, not all songs are about feeling empty inside.

  • http://www.facebook.com/taco.verhoef Taco Verhoef

    The music itself is never evil, but I think the spirit behind it can be evil. I like to listen to hip-hop music but most of this music from “the world” is trash. Using the F-word or other kind of bad words a lot of times and also elevating the (ab)use of drugs and alcohol. Last time I listened to a supposed to be christian artist (I can’t judge if he is or is not) who was influenced by a mason in his text writing, it made me wonder how to go about this. Had a conversation with the guy who wrote the lyrics and is them main rapper. But he thinks masons are okay and there thoughts and teachings are good for him to draw from. The mason who inspires him is called Manly Hall I think. Any thoughts on this?

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Yes, we must discerning with what we listen to. I cannot stand profane and vulgar lyrics (on the one side) and Christian lyrics that are off-base theologically (on the other side). But I don’t really condemn the artists (and it doesn’t sound like you do either), they just make me sad to learn what they think and that so many people are getting influenced by their lyrics.

  • Donna

    I have to agree music in itself is not evil, but the words are another story. I grew up in the 60-70′s Listening to that music now, I realize having an affair, stepping outside your marriage, and sexual sin in general is the main theme of many of the songs. It speaks to the moral decline of our country and the emptiness of people’s lives. As believers, we must take a step of faith and begin to live our faith. So what if someone thinks we’re peculiar. We are supposed to be. We are to be the light in a dark world. Our lives should draw people to us…asking why are you different. Then we can share the love of Jesus in a loving and inviting way.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Donna,

      Good points. We must be aware that the constant barrage of ideas and images in music will lead us in a direction that is similar to what we hear in the music. We must always counteract this with good teaching from Scripture, and constant time in prayer and meditation upon the Word.

  • WARD KELLY

    I too was taught as a new believer that all secular music was evil. Over the years as I have broken free from the american evangelical expectancy, I have realized that the world is not as black and white as some would promulgate. On the other hand, if I submerge myself in secular music it does have an effect on my soul. I suppose balance is the key. But what about Paul’s admonition to the weaker brother? Should I allow my liberty to draw down a brother? I have often criticized the church for its adoption of worldly principles to where there is no visable difference in the church-goers life and his lost neighbor. Thankfully that question is answered between me and my Lord, and not board of christian pharisees. How do we live in the world without being controlled by the tsunami of pop culture? I chuckled at your comment about supporting “mediocre musicians” as I have often tried to convey that feeling to my wife to her dismay. Is something Christian by virtue of a label? or a few words? Do we support something because it speaks to us? Or because we feel compelled by our brothers and sisters expectations? I am reminded of 70′s pop musician B.J. Thomas wen being interviewed was asked why he was leaving the christian music scene. He said ” I am an entertainer who is a Christian, not a Christian entertainer” Amen.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Great points, Ward. Yes, things are rarely as black and white as some would have us believe, but as you point out, we do need balance and discernment in the area of music (as in all areas of life!).

      That is a great quote from B.J. Thomas. I had not heard it before.