Words matter. We use them to define, to name, to express and communicate truth (and fiction), and to give meaning. Words tell others things about us; what we think, how we feel, and what our worldview is. Song lyrics are words.
I’m picturing in my head the “Duh” Emoji some of you would like to send me right now because of that last sentence. But stick with me, please. I said “song lyrics are words” for one basic reason: to remind you that they are communicating something. Why do I bring this up? Because people will choose to play or sing a song with a melody they like, even if they don’t agree with the message the words communicate. And I’m guessing it rarely happens the other way around.
I’m a lyrics listener. That doesn’t mean I never listen to songs I don’t agree with the lyrics of, and this post isn’t for the purpose of laying guilt on anyone. This post is only meant to get more of us actually thinking about song lyrics and their meanings, for various different reasons. I hope that as you go through the next few weeks, you will start doing it, if you’re not already!
I’ll start with secular music, and what’s being billed as “office-friendly” music. Mostly, this is about thinking beyond what’s considered a “cuss word, curse word, foul language, the f-bomb, etc.”, and thinking through the meaning of the words being sang, and whether or not they are appropriate for the “office” or public use.
Obviously, depending on your office/work situation, this could vary widely. However, for now, we’re going to consider offices and public spaces catering to a wide audience, including children. Here’s what I’ve heard recently in such settings: lyrics promoting violence, acts of aggression for retribution, songs about alcohol and drug use (while we’re in the midst of what’s being called an “opioid epidemic”), and sex. How this last topic is not covered under what radio stations claim as “office-friendly, explicit-free music” is beyond me. With all of recent outcry against sexual harassment in the workplace, you’d think this topic would be less than office-friendly. But if you don’t really listen to the lyrics….
What about Christian song lyrics? Contemporary Christian music gets slammed a lot for being “fluffy”, repetitive, unbiblical, etc; and sometimes it is. But not always. Likewise, not all of those favorite old hymns are Biblically correct. Not to sound like a broken record from this ministry, but the bottom line is….get to know your Bible. That way, you’ll know whether a song expresses truth or not. Does the Bible say you’re to be a “warrior” for Jesus, or not? While a believer should “trust and obey”, does God only abide with us if and when we’re getting those two things right (which will never happen completely in this life)?
And if you’re not sure what the lyrics mean, look it up. There’s nothing better than singing lyrics you agree with because you understand what they mean. Do you understand what having “resurrection power living on the inside” means? If not, a word search of “power” and “resurrection” together in Blue Letter Bible takes us to Philippians 3:10 where we learn that this power is what is active in us to help us mortify our sinful nature, now that our “chains are broken and we’ve been given freedom”…the freedom to be able to strive against sin, and not commit it, with help of the Holy Spirit living in us.
Finally, here are two specific songs Christians should consider the lyrics of with discernment. The first, is “Ave Maria,” commonly used in wedding music. It is a song based on a Catholic prayer, one in which they are praying to Mary. Christians do not, and should not, pray to Mary. Therefore, it begs the question “Should Christians have this sung at their wedding?” What about just using the melody without the words? That’s a judgement call. It’s a well-known, popular song, so the lyrics are very likely to be floating around in the heads of those who know it, even without the singing.
The second song is one I have heard several Christians claim to love. The song I’m referring to is “Imagine” by John Lennon. It doesn’t matter how much you like the melody, or whether some kid is a YouTube sensation because he can play it on the piano. As a Christian, the words to this song should bother you. Imagining there’s no heaven (and no hell) is exactly what Satan would like you to do. The rest of the words are no better.
Like I said earlier, this post isn’t meant to lay guilt trip on anyone. It’s easy to be caught up in listening to and singing music we like the melody of and the style of, without worrying about the words. But maybe we should challenge ourselves a little when it comes to song lyrics. They are, after all, communicating something.
