Christian Pop Music

Oh, Aravis, if you lived in this city.. *laughs*

I can find good music. There's plenty out there. Half my office seems to have mixtapes out there covering all genres of music, from Christian to death metal, trance to classical, and everything in between.

So I don't doubt that there are good lyrics out there. I just think that the more commercialized form of the genre is pretty uninspired and unoriginal.
 
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So, just because an artist is popular means that they don't really mean their lyrics? That kind of criteria should be applied to EVERY artist of EVERY genre. I've heard several artists in concert *Steven Curtis Chapman; I forgot to mention him!, David Crowder, etc...* and I know they mean what they say. The way they conduct themselves, their testimonies, etc....

How a group or artist lives their lives parallel to what they sing or talk about is what's important.

of course, those in Hollywood and not on Christian labels....we pretty much know how they live. :rolleyes: Even though several Christian artists live the same way, which is very disappointing, and I think it should motivate every person who calls themselves a Christian to investigate their favorite group or artist.
 
Aravis Kenobi said:
So, just because an artist is popular means that they don't really mean their lyrics? That kind of criteria should be applied to EVERY artist of EVERY genre. I've heard several artists in concert *Steven Curtis Chapman; I forgot to mention him!, David Crowder, etc...* and I know they mean what they say. The way they conduct themselves, their testimonies, etc....
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ummmmmm yeah alot of times thats true
plus many dont even write their own music
they have song writers
its just like secular music

you dont believe Britney Spears ever did half the stuff she said in her songs?
 
No, of course not. Many popular artists DO mean their lyrics. And of course they look like they mean what they say in concert. They've got people who are professionals at selling a product out there that MAKE them look good.

I'm not naming names, because I don't feel its necessary. But I do know that many famous musicians, in the christian music industry, in nashville, have been caught driving drunk, purchasing .. very questionable services, and haven't ever gotten it reported in major news organizations or even minor ones. It's common in a city that calls itself "Music City" and prides itself on the musical product it sells to not allow that product to be tarnished.

Look at it this way. My friend I mentioned? He moved here from Seattle and the Grunge / Drug scene to try to become a Christian singer. His statement to me was that the mainstream Christian scene does more and harder drugs than the Seattle "Drug" scene could ever hope to. He left VERY disilusioned, and is now exploring a different area.

You won't hear half the stuff that goes on in this town. Everyone's got a plan. Everyone's got a mission. Everyone's up to something. Nobody famous can do anything wrong here.

Johnny Cash is an exception, but Johnny Cash was the man, so he's allowed.
 
I believe she did EVERYTHING in her lyrics. I never listened to her, but I once had a friend tell me, "oh, she wrote about God in a song or two, so she's a Christian."

I said, "honey, I could write down e=mc squared but it doesn't make me Einstein."

there's a difference between living it out and just talking it out.
 
Aravis Kenobi said:
I believe she did EVERYTHING in her lyrics. I never listened to her, but I once had a friend tell me, "oh, she wrote about God in a song or two, so she's a Christian."

I said, "honey, I could write down e=mc squared but it doesn't make me Einstein."

there's a difference between living it out and just talking it out.
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I can honestly say Brit means nothing in most of her songs and has only wrote about 6 songs
two never got on the albumns
 
Also, Christian music, as all other music, it's a matter of taste, so I recognize that. Maybe I don't like stuff that other people like, but that doesn't change the fact that too many of today's Christian songs sound like the clone of another.
 
I love Casting Crowns. I honestly had hardly even heard of them before, then they headlined a Christian music festival in my town back in October. I went to see another artist there, and saw CC at the same time...they blew me away! I've gotten almost all of their cds now(every one I can find so far). I would definitely suggest checking them out if you haven't. Another wonderful Christian artist you have to check out is David Phelps. I've seen him in concert twice(and met him both times), and he is one of the most genuine Christians you could ever meet, and super nice. His website is www.davidphelps.com , if you want to check him out. :)
 
Lefluffball said:
I love Casting Crowns. I honestly had hardly even heard of them before, then they headlined a Christian music festival in my town back in October. I went to see another artist there, and saw CC at the same time...they blew me away! I've gotten almost all of their cds now(every one I can find so far). I would definitely suggest checking them out if you haven't. Another wonderful Christian artist you have to check out is David Phelps. I've seen him in concert twice(and met him both times), and he is one of the most genuine Christians you could ever meet, and super nice. His website is www.davidphelps.com , if you want to check him out. :)
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I have heard about two or three songs from Casting Crowns. I don't think they impressed me either. Maybe I did not listen to their best. I will look them up. I will also check out David Phelps.
 
Casting Crowns has 3 albums out. I'm not entirely crazy about the group, but they've got some good songs. Especially ones like "Does Anybody Hear her?"
 
Could I please have some band/group NAMES of Christian "pop" groups that supposedly have songs that sound the same?

I guess I am more of a Christian rock enthusiast, but then again, my dad's talent was basically to "fake" every song he played by usually only playing the chords. He had an amazing ear, so he could do it pretty well; therefore, I guess I grew up on pop music alongside classical and the Golden Age oldies.

As I actually Google "Christian pop," I find that many of the names popping up have unique styles that show in their individual songs that are hits. Granted, I haven't listened to every single song they ever released, but I'm curious as to WHO are the ones that are sounding the same? I find it fairly easy to praise God with most of the popular songs I hear on the radio and my iPod.

Of course, I'm a drummer, so catchy beats and good rhythms help me like a song, which, I guess, pop mostly gives me alongside rock (99% Christian of course :D).
 
General Oreius said:
Could I please have some band/group NAMES of Christian "pop" groups that supposedly have songs that sound the same?

I guess I am more of a Christian rock enthusiast, but then again, my dad's talent was basically to "fake" every song he played by usually only playing the chords. He had an amazing ear, so he could do it pretty well; therefore, I guess I grew up on pop music alongside classical and the Golden Age oldies.

As I actually Google "Christian pop," I find that many of the names popping up have unique styles that show in their individual songs that are hits. Granted, I haven't listened to every single song they ever released, but I'm curious as to WHO are the ones that are sounding the same? I find it fairly easy to praise God with most of the popular songs I hear on the radio and my iPod.

Of course, I'm a drummer, so catchy beats and good rhythms help me like a song, which, I guess, pop mostly gives me alongside rock (99% Christian of course :D).
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Well, that's good that you can enjoy the music. I tried and didn't like it. I know I heard the names jars of clay and casting crowns, and some other generic names I don't even remember. However, I am not a musician so I don't catch the subtle differences that may exist. But if you think there are good songs out there, tell me which ones, I might like them.
 
I am generally not crazy about Christian music. I have to agree that many songs are boring and have the same few chords repeated over, and over, and over again. Also, often times I get annoyed that Christian music is written specifically to be over-emotional. I am playing piano for my church in a couple weeks, and as I have been practicing I have noticed that all the comtemporary Christian songs have about 20 dramatic key changes (Okay, I admit I'm exaggerating. They really have about 5 key changes per song :p)only because that is the type of sound that will make people emotional and bring tears to their eyes. That just isn't good quality musicianship, and melodramatic, emotional pieces of music manipulate Christians into thinking they are having some sort of "spiritual worship experience" when in reality, they are being overtaken by tear-jerking music. Authentic worship of God does not need mushy-gushy chords and lyrics to be powerful--the person of God alone is enough to inspire real, sincere worship from His children.

Also, music that is truly honoring to God must be of good quality. I personally think that an ingeneous Bach piece is more glorifying to God than a song that throws around the words "Jesus", "praise", "worship", and "sacrifice" in 10 unending choruses. This is because I think the Bach piece, in it's amazing complexity and creativity, better uses the musical gifts God has given to humans.

Now of course, I'm not saying that all Christian artists are overly-emotional or write bad quality pieces. There are a couple I like, such as Casting Crowns. I think that they write songs that show Christian struggles without being too cliche. They also are not afraid to step out on a limb and point out our faults in songs such as "While you were sleeping," or "American Dream." However, in general I think Christian artists need to stop trying to write tear-jerkers, and write good music. Personally, I learn more about God by playing a Bach Fugue without lyrics than I do when I listen to my local Christian radio station.
 
I am generally not crazy about Christian music. I have to agree that many songs are boring and have the same few chords repeated over, and over, and over again. Also, often times I get annoyed that Christian music is written specifically to be over-emotional. I am playing piano for my church in a couple weeks, and as I have been practicing I have noticed that all the comtemporary Christian songs have about 20 dramatic key changes (Okay, I admit I'm exaggerating. They really have about 5 key changes per song )only because that is the type of sound that will make people emotional and bring tears to their eyes. That just isn't good quality musicianship, and melodramatic, emotional pieces of music manipulate Christians into thinking they are having some sort of "spiritual worship experience" when in reality, they are being overtaken by tear-jerking music. Authentic worship of God does not need mushy-gushy chords and lyrics to be powerful--the person of God alone is enough to inspire real, sincere worship from His children.
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Exactly. Sometimes the best emotional response doesn't come from that manipulation, but years later. IE, one time durring a worship service I was singing "Amazing Grace". I had sung it millions of times before with no tearful response, not even at a funeral. But because of some stuff I had gone through, and I was going through, and the honesty and simplicity of the song, for some reason, that time, it brought me to my knees, tears streaming from my eyes.
 
I tend to try to find how Jesus relates to every single song that I listen to from a Christian artist or band, and usually do amidst all the sweet melodies, awesome guitar riffs, and sweet piano intros. You guys sound like my younger brother saying how most Christian music is the same and is boring. Now I just skimmed through all the comment on this thread, so please forgive me for missing anything; but as I said I listen to the words more than anything in a song by a Christian artist or band. As lead vocalists Mike Donehey from Tenth Avenue North puts it--Word move peolpe, music makes people move. He also states that as you listen to their CD Over and Underneath, he hopes that you will not only bob your head and sing along, but that you will encounter Christ in the songs that you listen to.
So I believe that is the goal for most Christian bands and artists; is to share Christ love, and it is their ministry. Not to say that there may be some that may have strayed from that, and used the music to glorify themselves and not God. So yes this is where I stand on this topic :D
 
I used to listen to nothing but Christian contemprary music growing up. I finally started feeling like it was sounding too much the same as well. I still love it (when I'm in the mood for it), but most of the time not as much as I used to.

However, I love Selah and Waterdeep. Selah mixes it up a lot and has some great deep lyrics. Waterdeep is a little edgier and also has awesome lyrics! Their voices are really unique too. I totally recommend Waterdeep.
 
BK, have you ever heard of\listened to Jeff Johnson? He's based out of Texas, and he was at the youth camp I went to last year. He was AMAZING, but I got tired of him after the third day because he had played the same songs almost every service...however, there is one that tugged\tugs at my heart, and it's called Ruin Me, one that he wrote.

Intro
Woe to me I am unclean
A sinner found in Your presence
I see you seated on Your throne
Exalted, Your Glory surrounds You

Pre-chorus
Now the plans that I have made
Fail to compare when I see your glory

Chorus
Ruin my life the plans I have made
Ruin desires for my own selfish gain
Destroy the idols that have taken Your place
'Till its You alone I live for,
You alone I live for. (repeat)

Bridge
Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty
Holy is the Lord!

Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty
Holy is the Lord!

Repeat chorus

the funny thing about that song is the first few notes almost sound off-key...well, not almost they do sound off-key.

and this beautiful hymn that he 'rocked' up is worth listening to as well:
*One Day, but his is named Glorious Day*

Verse 1:
One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
dwelt among men, my example is He!

Chorus: *My favorite!*
Living, He loved me;
Dyin, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified
freely forever:
One day He's coming, O glorious day!

Verse 2:
One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected;
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!

Verse 3: (repeated without the chorus)
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door,
Then He arose, over death He had conquered,
Now is ascended my Lord evermore!

(Repeat Chorus)



BK, and anybody else, I think the most important part of any song is the message. Second\last is the tune\beat. Don't you think that some songs are worth listening to SIMPLY because of the lyrics? Yeah, it may SEEM monotonous *Sp?*, but I find that even if some songs sound like others, the lyrics do not. What should be listened to are the lyrics and the message. LIke the two songs I posted above, while the first one is not necessarily original, I love the lyrics. Why? It's a desire of my heart. the 2nd has been around a while, but I love the lyrics after hearing his version of it.

Again, while I'm not condemning anybody, I think that any song, whatever genre *though I only listen to country and Christian* should be examined by what the lyrics are saying, not the beat. Otherwise, some great songs might never be discovered. :rolleyes:
 
I agree. The words and message of the songs are definately the most important part. I didn't mean to sound like I was overlooking that. When you sing worship/praise songs you're not doing it for yourself anyway.
 
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