By Carol Fisher-Linn
Pop Music with an unexpected twist. You may be singing along with Religious/Spiritual music without knowing
Behind us is the Holy season of Easter and Passover which likely exposed many of us to familiar religious music. We now head back into our secular world. Our music, perhaps muted throughout the holy season, comes back to full life. We listen to our chosen playlists or tunes on the radio. We sing along with our favorite pop musicians. Who hasn’t sung “Take Me Home Country Roads” with John Denver, or perhaps listened in awed silence as he sings “On the Wings of a Dream.” Interestingly, in that Denver song the lyrics do an about-face away from pure pop music to something almost religious. “Is this life just a path to the place that we all have come from? Does the heart know the way and if not, can it ever be found in a smile or a tear or a prayer or a sigh or a song? And if so, then I sing for my father, and in truth, you must know I would rather he were here by my side, we could fly on the wings of a dream.”
From the beginnings of pop music in the 50’s and early 60’s, pop encompassed rock and roll and lively music which was fun and easy to listen and dance to. According to Wikipedia, much of pop music borrows elements from other styles … appealing to a general audience rather than a particular sub-culture or ideology. Yet, several U-Tubes provide us with intriguing information that since the 60’s pop music has often crossed over and embraced religious music in a way that some listeners may not recognize. Unwittingly, they sing along to music that could be sung in church.
As a young teenager, I heard the hopefulness in “Spirit in the Sky” (1969), a song about when we die. “Prepare yourself you know it’s a must Gotta have a friend in Jesus;” in 1970 we all sang along with George Harrison as he prayed in song “My Sweet Lord.” The lyrics are a simple prayer: “I really want to know you … Really want to go with you … Really want to show you, Lord … But it won’t take long, my Lord.” And then there was “Woodstock” by Joni Mitchell. “We are stardust, we are golden, We are caught in the devil’s bargain. And we’ve got to get ourselves Back to the garden.”
In 1971 Cat Stevens reminded us of dawn, rebirth and gratitude “Morning Has Broken.” Written in 1881 as a poem by Londoner Eleanor Farjeon, it was turned into a “church song” in the 1900’s, set to an old Scottish melody named Bunesann. Cat Stevens adapted it for the pop music world. His version, sung worldwide, became a secular musical prayer.
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” In 1987, U2 took the song to #1 with Bono weaving in gospel influences. Set in a gaudy casino/entertainment district, this rock song has a prayer-like “feel” to it. Bono himself said it’s “a gospel song with a restless spirit.” Lyrics: “You broke the bonds And you loosed the chains Carried the cross Of my shame …” He called it a “life and a gospel song about doubt as much as certainty.” (WJCT Public Media)
In 1998, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, singing a song written for The Prince of Egypt, “When You Believe,” reminded us that “there can be miracles, when you believe.” It became a pop hit despite (or, because of???) its message of faith, of believing, even when facing devastating odds.
With its questioning lyrics directed at God, The Fray Rock Band, 2009’s hit song “You Found Me,” presented an evocative track dealing with regret, godly silence, painful struggle “where were you?” and the quest for value “you found me.” A modern story of biblical Job?
Here are a few others worth listening for: Miley Cyrus – “The Climb” emphasizes that life’s battles (the climb) bring meaning. Simon and Garfunkel’s timeless “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” is a “prayer” for finding one’s purpose and providing support to others. Bette Midler’s “From a Distance” reminds us that “God is watching us.” Of course, Andrea Bocelli’s and Celine Dion’s duet “The Prayer” is clear cut God music. But Jelly Roll? He and Brandon Lake sang their prayer in “Hard Fought Hallelujah” displaying grit and gratitude. And we cannot leave out Leonard Cohen’s 1984 “Hallelujah.” … “I’ll stand before the Lord of Song With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah.”
So, when things get rough and you think you haven’t got a prayer, pick out one of these songs and sing.