Rock ‘n Roll and Religion
The Lord has blessed the Catholic Wise Guy with an R-rated life – relationships, running, reading, writing, arithmetic, rock ‘n roll, and religion. Today he addresses three of those R’s – rock ‘n roll and religion.
As rock ‘n roll has ascended into a dominant position in American culture religion – especially the Christian religion – has descended into marginal cultdom. Many tributaries feed rock but the mainstream flows with a dark steady beat with deafening sound and half-shouted vocals full of depressing words. Rock proclaims the anti-gospel of sex, drugs, and alcohol. Its message is rebellion, sexual release, and self-worship.
The Wise Guy has not been wise with rock. Since coming of age in the 60s with the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dylan, and the Beach Boys he has loved rock ‘n roll too much and the Lord not enough. He preferred – and sometimes lived – the anti-gospel rather than the Gospel. Slowly he began to realize the tension – the contradiction – between his religion and his rock ‘n roll. As his body aged his wisdom grew with the Lord’s help. Part of this wisdom came from learning to be quiet. Escape the noise of the world, especially the loudness of rock, which seems everywhere.
A scene from the Old Testament instructs us. In 1 Kings chapter 19, Elijah encounters the Lord. The Lord was not in the strong and violent wind, or in the earthquake, or in the fire. The Lord came to him with a light silent sound, a still quiet voice. Psalm 46:11 conveys a similar idea, “Be still and know that I am God.”
The wisdom of ancient Israel speaks to us today. We must be quiet to hear the voice of the Lord, his whisper in our ear. Noise is inimical to the spiritual life, a firewall to spiritual growth. Rock blaring on our electronic devices at home and away blocks the Lord’s voice. Quiet opens the door to the good life, the true life, the God-life.
Knowing this, the Wise Guy must confess he has not sworn off rock ‘n roll forever. Yes, he has pruned anti-gospel songs from his playlists. He has added Christian rock playlists. Jazz and classical remain part of his mix. But his pared-down playlists still feature rock classics from the 60s and beyond. He listens to them less but still tunes in. He’s aware of the need to turn off his devices and become quiet.
The Wise Guy, feeling defensive, notes that rock has produced some romantic, beautiful, and insightful songs. And Christian rock proclaims the Gospel. It is performed in many churches, including the Wise Guy’s. And, panning for religious gold in mainstream rock, the Wise Guy has found some spiritual nuggets. Here are a few.
The Beatles, together and apart, have created a cornucopia of rock classics. Hardly any are religious. Two offer a religious sensibility. Upon hearing “My Sweet Lord,” the Wise Guy felt one of the fab four – George – had gone “religious.” Here are a few lyrics – they sound religious, Christian even.
My sweet Lord/Hmm my Lord/Hmm My Lord/
I really want to see you/ Really want to be with you/ Really want to see you Lord/ But it takes so long, my Lord…
My sweet Lord (Hallelujah)/Hmm My Lord (Hallelujah)/My Sweet Lord (Hallelujah).
However, as the song continues, the background vocals give away George’s intent. Yes, he has gone religious – Eastern religious. Not what the Catholic Wise Guy is seeking. The Hindu references – Hare Krishna, etc. – taint the song for the Wise Guy. But “My Sweet Lord” has the makings of a great Christian song. A Christian group should revise and perform it, substituting Christian phrases/names for the Hindu ones. For example, “Hare Krishna” could become “Lion of Judah.” It wouldn’t take much work to transform “My Sweet Lord” into a Christian classic. A beautiful performance of George’s song on YouTube features Billy Preston singing lead supported by Eric Clapton and others.
Paul McCartney’s “Let it Be” has the makings of a great religious song. Consider the first stanza.
When I find myself in times of trouble/ Mother Mary comes to me/ Speaking words of wisdom/ Let it be.
Sounds like Paul is talking about the Christian Virgin Mary. Alas, he is not. He is writing about his mother Mary, who appeared to him in a dream. But the song’s spiritual message resonates with people of all faiths. In times of trouble, “Let it Be.” YouTube features several notable performances of the Beatles performing “Let it Be.”
Bob Dylan, lyricist extraordinaire, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, had a Christian period, which produced some beautiful religious songs. A Wise Guy favorite is “Gotta Serve Somebody.” Here’s the chorus.
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed/You’re gonna have to serve somebody,/It may be the devil or it may be the Lord/ But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.
Christian truth voiced by a Jewish prophet. YouTube features many performances of this song by Dylan and others. An interesting note is Bob is shown performing this song on Nov 30, 2021. He must still believe it.
Eric Clapton, often considered the premiere rock guitarist, has not been known for his songwriting. But he has contributed two songs to the Wise Guy’s mainstream rock Christian catalogue. The first is “Presence of the Lord.” Consider these lyrics.
I have finally found a way to live/ In the color of the Lord…/I have finally found a place to live/ In the presence of the Lord,/In the presence of the Lord.
Sounds spiritual – Christian – to me. The Wise Guy particularly recommends Eric’s performance of this song with his former Blind Faith bandmate Steve Winwood. It’s on YouTube – “Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood – Presence of the Lord.”
Eric’s 24-carat spiritual nugget is “Holy Mother.” Here are the first few verses.
Holy Mother, where are you?/ Tonight I feel broken in two/ I’ve seen the stars fall from the sky/ Holy Mother, can’t keep from crying.
Oh, I need your help this time/ Get me through this lonely night/ Tell me, please, which way to turn/To find myself again.
Holy Mother, hear my prayer/ Somehow I know you’re still there/ Send me please some peace of mind/ Take away this pain.
Eric is writing about The Mother Mary. The Wise Guy recommends Eric’s performance of this song on YouTube with Luciano Pavarotti and the East London Gospel Choir.
The loud, powerful beat of rock ‘n roll laced with the message of sex, drugs, and alcohol leads many down the wrong path. The Wise Guy offers others the same advice he gives himself: be careful with rock ‘n roll, be careful. It may lead you to serve someone other than the Lord.