# Skeptic Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2003, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021 "2003-08-05T00:55:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/21 "2003-08-06T00:06:57Z")
I always thought Dylan’s **The Mighty Quinn** , if not outright skeptical, pokes fun at the idea of religious faith: _Everybody’s beneath the trees feeding pigeons on a limb, But when the Quinn the Eskimo gets here, all the pigeons gonna run to him._ ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/22 "2003-08-06T00:15:15Z")
> [@](#): > > I think that song is 100% optimism, not skepticism. > > The obvious Lennon song would be **God**. True, although _Imagine_ contains the “and no religion too” line, so one wonders. > [@](#): > > the OP-cited songs aren’t Skeptic Songs. Ya might as well cite Tori Amos. They’re too angry at God (not just His human reps) to be truly Skeptical. > > Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing- at least they have a relationship with God. The OP doesn’t say if he means “skeptical of religion” or “skeptical of god” or what. The little I know of Tool indicates they find religion pretty stupid, so I’m not gonna say that leads me to think there’s any “relationship with god” there. The lyric from _Opiate_ (remember Marx said “religion is the opiate of the masses”) shows a dislike for religion, religious thinking, and the concept of god. None of those things require faith or a relationship with god. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/23 "2003-08-06T01:22:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ArchiveGuy \* > \*\*I think that song is 100% optimism, not skepticism. > > The obvious Lennon song would be _ **God** _. \*\* I didn’t know optimism and skepticism were mutually exclusive. Besides the lyric **Marley** mentioned there is also the line “Imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if you try.” There was a huge outcry against the song from many religious sectors when the song came out. Almost, but not totally, off topic check out this fundamentalist Baptist’s rabid diatribe against Mr. Lennon.[The Evil Legacy of John Lennon](http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/evil-legacy-johnlennon.html) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/24 "2003-08-06T04:20:19Z")
Hey, I’m a skeptical optimist (and quite gullible, too, if you can figure that one out). Definitely not angry at God. Though I do have a bone to pick with Santa about giving me a hamster when I clearly asked Him for a pony. ---
**Author:** ![Opus1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/858c86/32.png) [@Opus1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opus1)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/25 "2003-08-06T05:52:55Z")
How can this thread have gotten this far without mentioning MC Hawking’s _Fuck the Creationists_, a skeptical song if there ever was one? ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/26 "2003-08-06T11:31:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MusicJunkie \* > \*\*Frank Zappa had a nice one. The Make Shall Inherit Nothing. It segues into Dumb All Over which has this great line: “if we were made in God’s image then God must be dumb (and maybe a little ugly on the side)”. \*\* Don’t forget “Heavenly Bank Account”, though admittedly that one is skeptical of Televangelists, which I think we can all get behind. Nit-pick…The quote is paraphrased: > [@](#): > > Hey, we can’t really be dumb > If we’re just following _God’s Orders_ > Hey, let’s get serious… > God knows what he’s doin’ > He wrote this book here > An’ the book says: > “He made us all to be just like Him,” > so… > **If we’re dumb… > Then God is dumb… > An’ maybe even a little ugly on the side…** > \ Great song, great album, great artist. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/27 "2003-08-06T12:48:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astorian \* > \*\*Hmm… compelling lyric, from a brutal song. But not NECESSARILY an anti-Christian song … > > Steve Earle isn’t anti-Christian, after all…\*\* But the OP didn’t call for “anti-Christian” songs, it called for skeptical songs, which to me suggests “agnostic” more than “atheiest.” Tom Ames saying, “You don’t owe me nothin’ and as far as I know, Lord, I don’t owe nothin’ to you.” and the line in the final verse, “Aw but who in the hell am I talkin’ to? There ain’t nobody here but me.” both strike me as being eminently skeptical. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astorian \* > **The song, which was written by Robert Earl Keen…** Uh, no. The song was in fact written by Steve Earle in 1975. It was covered by REK on _Gringo Honeymoon_ in 1994, and we didn’t hear Steve perform it on an album until _Train A’Comin’_ in 1995. But it’s definitely Steve’s song. I’m not quibbling with the meat of your post, **Astorian**. It’s well-reasoned and raises excellent points. And it’s a tribute to just **how** compelling the song is. In fact, to me, the real question raised by _Tom Ames’ Prayer_ is did God hear Tom’s prayer? Does God hear the prayers of a skeptic, or only those of a true believer? And the brilliant thing about the song is we don’t learn the answer, which can lead to wonderful theological discussion. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by astorian \* > \*\* Now, I have no idea what Robert Earl Keen believes or doesn’t believe, in terms of religion._\* Nor do I. But I DO know what Steve Earle has said on the subject of God: “I just know two things about God. He exists and I ain’t him.” I certainly didn’t mean to suggest that the SONG is meant to espouse agnosticism. I included it as a song about a character who is skeptical about God. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/28 "2003-08-06T12:50:21Z")
Don’t you know there ain’t no devil, there’s just God when he’s drunk - Tom Waits or Heaven… heaven is a place, where nothing, nothing ever happens (Talking Heads) ---
**Author:** ![Coil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Coil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coil)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/29 "2003-08-06T13:57:28Z")
[Blasphemous Rumours](http://www.lyricsfind.com/lyrics/1902/68061.php) by Depeche Mode might fit. Although it may fit better in the angry at god group. Martin Gore of Depeche Mode is probably religious though, quite a few of the songs he has written for DM contain religious references. I believe he said in an interview, in response to a question on his writing process, that he tried to mention love within the first couple of lines and then God and Sex a few lines after that. Das Ich has a few songs that could fit the bill as well. [Gottes Tod](http://www.lyricsfind.com/lyrics/1994/59105.php) (God’s Death) is one ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/30 "2003-08-06T15:07:49Z")
“Knock 'Em Down” by Firewater would fit the bill: > [@](#): > > If there’s a hell way down below, I bet you see someone you know [3x] > And we’ll all have a fucking good time > … > If there’s a heaven in the air, don’t expect to see me there[3x] > … > Well I don’t believe in god cause he don’t believe in me[3x] > And he never returns any of my calls ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/31 "2003-08-06T16:12:50Z")
I think Cursive’s _Vermont_ is counts here. It seems to be about a person realising they live in a godless world: > [@](#): > > I’ve been deprived reality > Brought up by holy ghosts and saints > What now? > > I’m the delinquent here > I’m the contagious one > This heart is hopeless > I feel the numbness > All Hail The Atheist > I could get used to this [full lyrics](http://www.readlyrics.com/lyrics/display.php?ID=7302) ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/32 "2003-08-06T16:58:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Labdad \* > **But the OP didn’t call for “anti-Christian” songs, it called for skeptical songs, which to me suggests “agnostic” more than "atheiest."** Well, I intended for this to be a more open-ended thread. I am agnostic, but I’d like to hear atheist stuff and also music that expresses any kind of skepticism at all. Note in the OP where I said that the skepticism didn’t even have to be about God, but could be fighting anything one perceives to be ignorance. “Angry at God” is okay too, IMHO. I consider questioning a god’s decisions and actions (or lack thereof), even if you do believe in him, to be a skeptical activity. Hell, I could even throw in a few of Tori Amos’s “angry at god/religion” moments, because they do make some great quotes, even if the whole songs aren’t neccessarily about religion. For example, from _In the Springtime of his Voodoo_: “Honey, we’re recovering Christians.” Or from her B-side, _Beulah Land_ : “Give me religion and a lobotomy.” ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/33 "2003-08-06T18:39:41Z")
Possibly “God Was Drunk When He Made Me” by Jim White; I’m not sure if this song reflects skepticism on White’s part or is simply a dig at fundamentalists. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/34 "2003-08-06T19:06:32Z")
There’s a song from _Camelot,_ “The Seven Deadly Virtues,” with some great lines in it, like “It isn’t Earth the meek inherit, but the dirt.” And all of Judas’ songs in _Jesus Christ Superstar_ reflect the POV of someone who’s less of a traitor than a critic and skeptic, a ballsy choice on the part of Webber and Rice, IMO. Tom Lehrer’s entire canon has a certain skeptical edge, esp. “Werner von Braun” and “The Vatican Rag.” ---
**Author:** ![freajnt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e8cbc/32.png) [@freajnt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freajnt)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/35 "2003-08-06T19:18:48Z")
Iris Dement’s **Let the Mystery Be** is a lovely song with an agnostic viewpoint. [http://www.coquet-shack.com/lyrics/Dement\_Iris/Let\_The\_mystery\_Be\_1289.htm](http://www.coquet-shack.com/lyrics/Dement_Iris/Let_The_mystery_Be_1289.htm) The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ **Shallow Be Thy Game** is a skeptical scorcher and is IMHO their best song. [http://www.theaerozone.com/lyric/shallow\_by\_the\_game.htm](http://www.theaerozone.com/lyric/shallow_by_the_game.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/36 "2003-08-06T19:27:55Z")
_I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus_ is pretty iconoclastic. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/37 "2003-08-06T20:58:53Z")
Poi Dog Pondering did a great song on their second album called **Bury Me Deep** Here’s a snippet of lyrics > [@](#): > > For the dirt is a blanket, no fiery tomb, > No punishment, reward, or pearly white room > And you who say that in death we will pay, > The dead they can’t hear a word that you say > Your words are not kind, sober or giving, > they only put fear in the hearts of the living > So put away your tongues and roll up your sleeves, > and pick up your shovel and bury me deep. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/38 "2003-08-06T21:20:52Z")
I was going to say the Iris DeMent song, but I was beaten to it. How about Believe from Run Lola Run. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/39 "2003-08-07T01:16:46Z")
**rogzilla,** are you a.k.a **rogoriole** on another board? If not, never mind… ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021/40 "2003-08-07T02:09:28Z")
Let’s not forget the sarcastic bridge-verse from Weird Al Yankovic’s **“Your Horoscope For Today”** : _“Now you may find it inconceivable Or at the very least a bit unlikely That the relative positions Of the planets and the stars Can have a special deep significance Or meaning that exclusively Applies to only you, But let me give you my assurance That these forecasts and predictions Are all based on solid scientific Documented evidence, So you would have to be Some kind of moron not to realize That every single one of them Is absolutely true. Where was I?”_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skeptic-songs/193021.md?page=3)