Church and Ministry and Music and Seen and Heard and Songwriting and Theology and Worship Michael Krahn on 20 Oct 2009 02:14 pm
Genre: “Jesus is My Girlfriend” (Hillsong U and Kutless fans – please read)
I am NOT a Hillsong basher but Ugh, I hate Hillsong videos… and some of their lyrics. I have no idea what they’re trying to market in videos such as the one below. Ok, actually its pretty obvious: the people in the band and all their fans are gorgeous and hip! They spend time in airports and travel the world looking cool, wearing shades and sporting The Clash t-shirts. Image is the name of the game.
(click here to view if the video does not appear in your browser) As lyrics go this is one of those songs that could just as easily be sung to a girlfriend/boyfriend as to Jesus, existing in the ever-expanding “Jesus Is My Girlfriend” genre. This genre is defined as song or songs that “mean to appeal to an audience outside of typical listeners of CCM by replacing “Jesus” with “You” in hopes of making the Christian content of the song less obvious to non-Christian listeners.” (def’n found here)
Take out the line “I’ve got a Saviour and He’s living in me” and “What The World Will Never Take” is one of those songs:
Check this out. Read it without assuming its about Jesus:
With all I’m holding inside
With all my hopes and desires
And all the dreams that I’ve dreamtWith all I’m hoping to be
And all that the world will bring
And all that fails to compareYou say you want all of me
I wouldn’t have it any other wayI wanna know
I wanna know you todayAnd You’re the best thing that has happened to me
And the world will never take
The world will never take you awayNo-one could ever take you away
The “live” version above strays from the recorded version and makes the message a bit clearer – lyrically at least. And don’t get me wrong, as a song and a rock video it succeeds admirably. It’s catchy, well-played, and professionally edited. I’m just not sure I want to play it as part of a worship service at church.
Draw Me Close (seen below) is even worse. Take a look:
(click here to view if the video does not appear in your browser)Again, read it without assuming its about Jesus:
Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I’m your friendHelp me find a way to bring me back to you
Chorus:
You’re all I want, You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want,
Help me know you are nearYou are my desire
No one else will do
Cause no one else
Can take your place
To feel the warmth of Your embraceHelp me find a way to bring me back to you
Chorus:
You’re all I want, You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want,
Help me know you are near
What do you think? Do I have a point or am I just getting old?
(As a side note, and in the “even more obvious” department, what do you think this shot of Brooke Fraser, Hillsong United’s female member, is selling? Discussion needed? I think not… and we used to think Amy Grant in a leopard-print blazer was racy.)
Michael Krahn (michael.krahn@gmail.com) is a husband, father, Pastor, writer, and recording artist who enjoys books, theology, technology and the Ottawa Senators.
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on 20 Oct 2009 at 3:28 pm # Michael
A couple of things pop to mind after reading this:
First of all, I don’t think it’s fair to judge a band based on one song’s lyrics. I try not to listen to Hillsong too much because the commercialism and prosperity leanings kinda disgust me (maybe that has changed over the years, but from what I hear… it hasn’t). But maybe that’s not what you’re trying to do… perhaps it’s more a comment on the genre.
So, second, the thing I really dislike about the “Jesus is my Girlfriend” type of song is that it usually doesn’t really say anything. Nice flowery language that makes a person feel good without really having to commit to anything typifies the genre. That’s really unfortunate. In my mind, that prevents it from being true art… which is meant to challenge preconceptions and bring about change.
I’m reminded of a song by All-Star United that describes how I feel quite well… it doesn’t really talk about the “Jesus is my Girlfriend” songs, but I think the point applies:
Song of the Year
Word to the GMA
I’m a big up trippin’
G gave me a song tonight
He’s my dog, it’s like I be Rogers
G be’s my Hammerstein
I’ve got a song from above
Give it up for Jesus
Let’s see if God gets a Dove
And then shows up to accept
This is the Song of the Year,
Let the message be clear
I don’t need you to adore me
‘Cos it’s all about God’s glory
Something’s gone very wrong
If we’re chasing the Song of the Year
Testimony Testimony
Testimony Testimony
I’ll never be the same
Holy Holy
Worthy Worthy
Something Something
That rhymes with Jesus’ name
That oughta do
Guess I’m through
Time to canonise
I like to write movies too
About Christian superheroes
Who join forces to ward off the Antichrist
It’s the Song of the Year
But God’s still unimpressed with our radio success
This is the Song of the Year,
Let the message be clear
I don’t need you to adore me
‘Cos it’s all about God’s glory
Angel choirs sing along
If it’s really the Song of the Year.
© 2006 All Star United / Double Happiness Record
on 20 Oct 2009 at 3:47 pm # Kevin Burgess
I agree Michael. This troubling trend has been developing for many years in the “christian” music scene. I’ve always thought it was a shame, when a group, either intentionally waters down their lyrics, or worse, allows the record execs to influence their music in such a way that it is “more marketable” to a broader audience. Why is the secular music scene so unashamed of saying what they mean, but the christian music scene has to craft their lyrics so that more people will listen? If you are interested in spreading the message of Christ, then say what you mean. If you are interested in record sales, don’t pretend to be a “christian” band. “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Rev. 3:16
You could argue that crafting your music in such a way draws in an audience that wouldn’t otherwise listen to the message of Christ. Then, once you have developed that “relationship” with them, you have an opportunity to go deeper with them, to where they may be open to Christ through it. Unfortunately, most “christian” concerts and band websites these days only make vague references to God, so the argument falls flat, because there is no effort made to connect the unbeliever directly with Christ.
With all that said; I’m not against “christian” bands making good, clean music. It doesn’t have to be overly “spiritual” in content, all the time. But, if you are going to call yourself a ministry, serve Him openly. Don’t shy away from proclaiming Christ’s name. If you are referring to him in your song, say His name. If you are crafting music for a broader audience with the intent of developing a relationship with them, so they may be open to hearing about Christ; craft your shows and websites so that the message comes through.
on 20 Oct 2009 at 8:07 pm # Alden
Michael,
While I have to agree with you in general, I will comment on “Draw Me Close,” which is not a Kutless original, but was written by Kelly Carpenter (who was one of the worship leaders at a church I attended some years back). I would have to say that it was not Kelly’s intent to hide the fact he was writing a worship song; in fact, it probably wasn’t written with the intent of even recording it. He’s one of the most humble, sincere guy’s I’ve met, and I’m guessing this came out of a time of personal worship. He doesn’t have that “worship star” mentality that seems more and more common.
I can’t speak for Kutless.
But back to your point: I have for the most part given up on contemporary worship music and really don’t listen to “Christian Ghetto” music at all. Theology is conspicuously absent. But then, it’s pretty absent in much of contemporary evangelicalism, which is why I’m back in a liturgical church.
on 20 Oct 2009 at 8:44 pm # Diane
Just a quick couple notes:
I don’t completely disagree with you here. There is a danger of watering down the message.
But I think the difference here is that these are actually supposed to be worship songs – not just Christian rock – and so they are more intimate. Wouldn’t your wife, if you were talking directly to her, feel a little weird if you had to keep saying her name every other sentence, just so everyone else who might be listening would know that you were talking to her?
In the case of Christian rock, it’s a different story, since that’s meant for entertainment, and is sort of more like communication between the band and its audience.
And, finally, just a quick point: that second song is actually kind of old – it’s originally by Michael W. Smith…
on 21 Oct 2009 at 12:58 am # Aaron
Not a basher, but the more I see of Hillsong in general, the more uncomfortable I get. Just something about the whole thing in that video is unsettling…
on 21 Oct 2009 at 3:44 pm # Michael Krahn
Kevin Burgess » Kevin, what if your music isn’t crafted that way but just sort of happens that way? For example, when I sit down to write a song it is usually based on an event I have experienced. I may or may not mention Jesus in the song. The song may be about politics or economics or celebrity culture.
‘Adding some Jesus’ to a song, to me, is as bad as avoiding him intentionally.
Color me: mixed feelings.
on 21 Oct 2009 at 3:52 pm # Michael Krahn
Alden » Hey Alden,
Thanks for the background info on the writer. He, like others who release art “into the wild”,probably dislikes some of the ways it gets used. But the fact is he at some point owned the rights to the song and has some say in how it is used. And when a band like Kutless records it, I imagine the royalty payments are pretty sweet.
I had shunned modern worship music for a few years, only to take another look and find that there is actually some good stuff there. Hillsong does some great tunes, Chris Tomlin has been putting out musically and lyrically well-crafted music for about a decade now, and then there is Townend and Getty who wrote “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us” and “In Christ Alone”.
Take another look. You might be surprised.
on 21 Oct 2009 at 3:58 pm # Michael Krahn
Diane » Diane,
There is a paradox at work. Yes, they are intimate songs, but at the same time they are trying to accomplish intimacy en masse. Have you seen the size of these concerts?
So while a song like “Draw Me Close To You” might be an excellent song to use in a personal worship time, here you have a hunky beefcake singing in front of a rockin’ band, belting out a tune to predominantly teenage girls, half of whom are already infatuated with the singer. Now add hormone factories… I mean teenage boys, to the mix, standing in close proximity to these girls and you can see how there might be some mixed feelings happening.
All that to say when I was that age and a girl said “draw me close to you” I really wouldn’t have cared why or to whom she was singing it. Maybe teenage boys aren’t like that anymore. ;-)
on 21 Oct 2009 at 3:58 pm # Michael Krahn
Aaron » Hey Aaron,
I’m actually not that down on them in the lyrical/musical department. Its all the image marketing that gets me.
on 21 Oct 2009 at 4:35 pm # Anonymous
One night as I was cuddling with my wife I sang thru most of “Draw Me Close” to her. She knew the song, and didn’t appreciate that I held her in nearly as high esteem as Jesus.
on 21 Oct 2009 at 4:41 pm # Michael Krahn
Anonymous » Great test. Must introduce that to and then enforce it with my song leaders. “If its something you can sing to your significant other while cuddling, let’s not bring it to the congregation.”
on 21 Oct 2009 at 5:55 pm # Kevin Burgess
Michael, I’m not suggesting that every song should say Jesus, just because it is a Christian song. If the song was written purely for the “worship” audience, I don’t necessarily have an issue with it. We all know who “you” is. Maybe “you” should be capitalized here. I have noticed though, that several of these same songs are picking up secular air play, which bothers me a little. It wasn’t written for that audience. It seems to me like a bit of a slap in God’s face to play it to an audience who will assume the song is about another person. The meaning has been completely lost on the audience, and redirected from God to a person.
There are several bands (that I listen to, by the way), who are christian bands, whose songs will not be sung on Sunday mornings though(Michael, you know my taste in music), who make the same vague references to God, rather than proclaiming His name when they refer to Him. Part of my beef with these bands, is that for me, part of the allure of their genre, is their unashamed declaration of their message. When the music is in your face, but the lyrics are unclear, the passion and the message is lost on me.
Good discussion!
on 22 Oct 2009 at 3:08 pm # Andy
hmm, interesting artical, definitely made me thing. although the videos don’t work on my browser i definitely know kutless and hillsong quite well…
I agree with you that maybe there should be concerns as to how mainstream some of our christian bands are going where they have the temptation to take the glory, rather than give it to Jesus. I don’t believe nessasarily that that has happened here, but i can see how it would be a temptation when you get bigger in the music industry…
These songs may be simple lyrically, and don’t go quite as much in depth, but i believe them to be more intimate love songs to Jesus. Is there something wrong with that? I don’t totally understand why there is a huge problem with the lyrics. To me they sound theologically sound. Sure, maybe the name Jesus isn’t thrown in there every other line, but throwing the name in there just for the sake of doing it, isn’t really the right thing is it?
Good thoughts, appreciate the article.
on 22 Oct 2009 at 11:29 pm # Jake
Michael
I don’t really see the problem with the lyrics. You said if you take out “I’ve got a Saviour and He’s living in me” it becomes one of those songs where it could be talking to a boyfriend/girlfriend. But what if you don’t take it out because it is already embedded in the song, then you know exactly who they are talking too. Plus after I read this I put on that Hillsong CD and just listened. They mention God and Jesus A LOT! So what if they refrain from it for one song. I agree with the previous writer where throwing it just for the sake of it being there is not the right thing to do. And as a songwriter you should be able to appreciate the fact that it’s not easy to write a song, so maybe throwing You in there was a little easier that trying to fit the word Jesus in every line.
As for Kutless they didn’t even write the song, they just covered it for a worship album as you know. And you called their singer a “hunky beefcake singing in front of a rockin’ band, belting out a tune to predominantly teenage girls, half of whom are already infatuated with the singer.” Are you saying that guys who are a “hunky beefcake” (which the hunky part he definitely had no say in the matter, he’s just another one of God’s awesome creations) cannot be a singer if that is where his passion lies? As for the teenagers and their hormones, I think he is trying to do his best at not letting anything happen by singing a worship song and trying to Draw Them Closer to God!
As for the whole mainstream and marketing thing I totally agree with you. That picture of the Hillsong singer is just wrong for any band, but especially for a Christian Worship band.
on 23 Oct 2009 at 2:10 pm # James
i’ll leave my comments about the boyfriend/girlfriend theory to none other than South Park’s very own “Faith + 1.”
Enjoy!! http://watch.thecomedynetwork.ca/south-park/season-7/south-park-709-christian-rock-hard/#clip10912
on 23 Oct 2009 at 2:14 pm # James
For those of without the time to watch the whole episode, the genius lines are:
“Cartman: All right, guys, this is gonna be so easy. All we have to do to make Christian songs is take regular old songs and add Jesus stuff to them. [some sheet music is shown. Cartman has already crossed out the original author's name] See? All we have to do is cross out words like “baby” and “Darling” and replace them with [writes next to "baby"] Jesus. All right, Butters, give me a beat. [Butters doesn't understand, but starts drumming. It's rather good] Okay, nice. Very nice. All right, Token, give me a smooth bass line…”
on 16 Nov 2009 at 11:47 pm # Reese
There’s some background to the Hillsong video that I’m pretty sure none of you know. All I suggest is that you don’t talk without facts. ….I do think there’s is some mishap among the worship/christian music scene, but Hillsong is not a part of that.
on 18 Nov 2009 at 3:54 pm # Jason Postma
I agree with many of the sentiments expressed here about signing songs to Jesus that echo what one expresses to his/her partner. However, it is also important to take a step back from our criticisms of “mushy” praise music. Allow me to share a quotation to stoke the fires of discussion:
“While we might be rightly critical of the self-centered grammar of such choruses (which, when parsed, often turn out to be more about “me” than God, and “I” more than us), I don’t think we should so quickly write off their “romantic” or even “erotic” elements (the Song of Songs comes to mind in this context). This, too, is a testimony to why and how so many are deeply moved in worship by such singing. While this can slide into an emotionalism and a certain kind of domestication of God’s transcendence, there remains a kernel of “fittingness” about such worship. While opening such doors is dangerous, I’m not sure that the primary goal of worship or discipleship is safety…[Such a view] suffers from a “quasi-rationalism that sneers at such erotic elements in worship and is concerned to keep worship “safe”.
From James K.A. Smith “Desiring the Kingdom”.
on 19 Nov 2009 at 4:09 pm # KenDV
New article on RelevantMagazine.com relates to this topic:
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/blog/19090-high-on-jesus
First paragraph: “”This could just as easily be about cocaine use,” I thought to myself. The writer of this particular worship song, it seemed, went out of his way to avoid mentioning the name of Jesus. The phrases “I’m spinning around” and “I can’t stop moving” were repeated several times. “I need more of you” was echoed throughout the chorus. Because I was in church, I knew the song had to be about God, but I started to smirk when I thought about the words being applied to chronic drug use. I turned to my wife and she gave me one of those half-critical, half-curious stares. Then I leaned in and whispered what I thought was so funny. She glanced up at the lyrics on the screen in front of us; then she giggled silently, covering her mouth (because she has better manners than I do).”