GoodMusic

Music that lifts your spirits!

I was reading a secular humanist website some time ago, and in an article someone was asking why it is that young people (the youth of today...) aren't turned on by humanism. He thought it was because humanists spent too much time in boring lectures and philosophical discussion and poetry readings, and he proposed a disco to make humanism more appealing to people of his age. He compiled his top ten fave tunes for promoting the secular humanist view of life, including "Imagine" by John Lennon (with that cheering line 'Nothing to live (or die) for'...) {oops - after watching the programme on TV last night about this song I've learnt it's actually 'kill or die for'}, "Losing my religion" by REM, and "Wonderful Life" by Black.

Now I'm not suggesting we replace Bible study groups with discos, or that we should listen to more music by Christians instead of non-Christians (as well as saying how good pop music was for promoting secularism, that article was also bewailing the 'fact' that people like Cat Stevens suddenly lost their talent when they found religion, but that's another story...), but it set me thinking about how music leads me to praise God and makes me feel lifted up spiritually. So how about a list of music that helps us to sense a glimpse of heaven (as CS Lewis might put it), or gives us a sense of joy or makes us grateful to God for creating music / the world / life etc.? Or that at least you enjoy? Here are some of mine - please add your own too!

• Wonderful Life by Black. Yes, I don't see why I shouldn't enjoy it too!

• You've got the love by Candi Staton. Dancing in a club and singing along with the lyrics is a great way to worship!

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying "Lord, I just don't care"
But you've got the love I need to see me through...

• A German Requiem by Brahms. The feeling of singing this in a choral concert, and belting out 'Lord, you are worthy of praise and glory, honour and power' is just amazing! I had to restrain myself from raising my arms! And the tender solo movements are just wonderful...

• The Patient by Tool does it for me. I'm pretty sure the guy who wrote this is quite anti-Christianity so I'm sure he'd be upset to hear that it really inspires me to hold on to God. The lyrics are obviously only a small part of the story, but here they are to give you an idea:

A groan of tedium escapes me,
Startling the fearful.
Is this a test? It has to be,
Otherwise I can't go on.
Draining patience, drain vitality.
This paranoid, paralyzed vampire act's a little old.

But I'm still right here
Giving blood, keeping faith
And I'm still right here.

Wait it out,
Gonna wait it out,
Be patient (wait it out).

If there were no rewards to reap,
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here,
I certainly would've walked away by now.
Gonna wait it out.

If there were no desire to heal
The damaged and broken met along
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away by now.

And I still may ... (sigh) ... I still may.

Be patient.
I must keep reminding myself of this.

And if there were no rewards to reap,
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here,
I certainly would've walked away by now.
And I still may.

Gonna wait it out.

• I think that last song illustrates something about my music collection too. A lot of songs I find 'helpful' or enjoyable are pretty miserable - e.g. the great band Furniture. It's encouraging to listen to them and realise you're not the only one who feels that way. (Elton John and Bernie Taupin even wrote the song 'Sad songs say so much', which says as much, but I'm not a great fan of them I hasten to add.)

I'm at the stage
Where everything I thought meant something
Seems so unappealing
I'm ready for the real thing
But nobody's selling
Except you and yours
Saying open up your eyes and ears
And let me in...

and how about

It's a narrow minded town
There's no benefit, just the doubt
And every shutter's down
When you need to talk it out
When you hit the bottom
When you're in a jam
The world is full of good friends
Who couldn't give a damn...

A certain friend of mine once said they were a second-rate Duran Duran, but I forgive him for that. :-)

• Only love can set you free by N-Trance. In the same category as Candi Staton, tho a bit less suitable for singing in church.

Shackles (praise you) by Mary Mary has a similar effect. I totally agree with the comments on Candi Staton as well. ONe of the few singles I have ever bought.

Of course, that stupid Christian band that happy clappies like are a second rate U2 - a dubious honour but better than a second rate Duran Duran, surely.

• Having heard Duran Duran on the radio recently, they sound as much like Furniture as they sound like (say) U2. I seriously question my friend's musical sanity.
  Listening to U2, I find it hard to imagine a 'second rate U2' - they're inimitable.

Your could always try 1Xtra. DJ Fitz - Gospel
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