In the Christian school I attended in the seventies, we had an assembly about the Devil’s music and that song was specifically called out because of the names of “heathen gods” being sung in the background.
I never had the least idea what they were saying in that song, and wouldn’t have been any wiser if I had. Not until the Internet came along did I finally get it.
I just remembered - I don’t think you’ll hear it in a church (though you may well hear stuff of a similar bent), but the spectacularly awful Deck of Cards* is clearly, unambiguously religious.
And, unfortunately for me:
j
They should have played the Mister Ed theme backwards. It’s been claimed it contains “Someone sang this song for Satan.”
It boggles the mind that someone actually took the time to determine this, and that they chose this song to listen to.
Jesus, Take the Wheel
Do you have a cite? He didn’t have any religious bent, but I thought it was more like trying to see if he could do it instead of a polemic.
I don’t see why not. Seems to adequately show Hebrews 13:2 - “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” - in song form. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was playing at a church function (aside from that our church doesn’t play contemporary music).
I will also point out that U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” has some very strong Christian imagery. I guess one can say it’s not overt, but when one of the verses goes: “I believe in the Kingdom Come, Then all the colours will bleed into one, Bleed into one, But yes, I’m still running. You broke the bonds, And you loosed the chains, Carried the cross of my shame, Oh my shame, you know I believe it” - sounds pretty overt to me.
I don’t know many churches that would be cool with saying God was a slob and just like regular people.
Most mainline Protestant churches would be completely fine saying what if God was this homeless person. I’ve heard many a sermon somewhat like it.
Heck, it was the song for the opening credits of Joan of Arcadia, which was a show that mostly Christians (and not just Progressive ones) watched.
The song might be controversial because it ponders "What if God was . . . . "
But it seems to explicitly assume that God exists.
So I think it qualifies for this thread.
Damnit Czar
Waitaminit! Who’s making the thread rules here?
We’ve played that song in my church. As far as I know nobody raked the minister over the coals later.
My contribution - Mary Mary - Shackles
Someone also noted that Imagine was played at their church to no coal rakings. Just because it has been sung in a church doesn’t mean it will be welcomed in most churches.
Dylan’s Gotta Serve Somebody made it to #24.
U2’s “With or Without You” can be seen either as a love song or as a man struggling with the demands of faith.
Ya’ll win. I give up.
Why Me Lord? - Kris Kristofferson
"Recognition and awards
“Why Me” was Kristofferson’s lone major country hit as a solo recording artist, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart in July 1973.[4] The song peaked only at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, but had at that time one of the longer runs (19 weeks) in the top 40[1] and the most chart reversals (6) in one run on the Hot 100. The song spent 38 weeks in the Hot 100 consecutively, almost tying the record set by Johnny Mathis’ song “Wonderful! Wonderful!” on the charts for 39 weeks. The song ranked sixth on the list of Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1973.
“Why Me” was certified gold for sales of one million units by the Recording Industry Association of America.[5][6]"
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Me_(Kris_Kristofferson_song)
Well are the rules will it be welcomed in Evangelical Churches or will it be welcomed in mainline Protestant or Catholic Churches? Because the sort of music welcomed in one or the other are very, very different.
FYI: Julie Gold sings, solo. Quite tasty.