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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Steve Taylor

Steve Taylor was one of my favorite musicians growing up (yes, I realize this dates me and I almost care). He was always a visionary. And contra 99% of the Christian “music” industry (Doug Wilson still has the money description of CCM: Anything the world can do we can do five years later and half as well), Taylor was always ahead of the curve.

So I bring you this offering from a very hyperactive 1984 Steve Taylor.

Steve Taylor and Some Band playing “Whatever Happened to Sin?”



Lyrics:

A Christian counselor wrote,
Quote,
“It’s the only human choice ahead.
If you can’t support it
Why don’t you abort it instead?”

You say you pray to the sky
Why
When you’re afraid to take a stand down here?
Cuz while the holy talk reads like a bad ad lib
Silence screams you’re robbing the crib.

Say it ain’t none of my business, huh?
A woman’s got a right to choose.
Now a grave digger,
Next you pull the trigger
What then?
Whatever happened to sin?

I heard the reverend say,
“Gay
Is probably normal in the good Lord’s sight.
What’s to be debated?
Jesus never stated what’s right.”

I’m no theology nut
But
The reverend may be a little confused
For if the Lord don’t care and he chooses to ignore-ah
Tell it to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Call it just an alternate lifestyle, huh?
Morality lies within.
Consciences arrestin,
Please repeat the question again.
Whatever happened to sin?

When the closets are empty
And the clinics are full
When you’re eyes have been blinded
By society’s wool
When the streets erupt
In your own backyard
You’ll be on your knees praying
For the National Guard.
If you don’t care now
How the problems get solved
You can shake your head later
That you never got involved.
Cuz the call came ringing
From the throne of gold
But you never got the message
Cuz your mind’s on hold.

A politician next door
Swore
He’d set the Washington arena on fire.
Thinks he’ll gladiate ‘em
But they’re gonna make him a liar.

Well he’s a good ole boy
Who was born and raised
In the buckle o’ the Bible Belt
But remember when you step into your voting booth.
He’ll never lie
He’ll just “embellish the truth.”

Promises were made to be broken, right?
You gotta play the game to win.
When you need supporting
Tell ‘em that you’re born again.
Whatever happened to sin?


And while we’re at it, check out some other great tunes such as The Finish Line Note: this music sounds pretty much the opposite of all the girlie frou-frou stuff Patrick Chan has been posting recently… :-P

4 comments:

  1. I'm not familiar with this particular artist--I'll check up on him later, but I share your frustrations with most of Christian music. I thought you'd like a pointer to a couple of Christian artists (who make Christian-themed music, not just artists who happen to be Christians) who are also cutting hedge and of great quality. You may have heard of them already, but here it goes anyway: singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens--I recomend the album Illinois, and Clarksboro, New Jersey based band Danielson--here I recomend the album Ships.
    Cheers, and thnaks for your part in this wonderful blog.

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  2. Love Steve Taylor. Genuine Christian, livin for the Lord.

    I liked a few of his songs. He went secular (Chagall Guevara), but it didn't work.

    He came back, and helped the News Boys, I think. And the Lord has used this man for His glory.

    Thanks for the old video, love that one.

    "Jesus is for Losers".

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  3. True, but even in Chagall he was still giving his worldview. For instance in the song "Violent Blue" with the line (going from memory, so probably not exact):

    And I don't believe
    It's the way you were raised
    Or the cards you were dealt
    Or a poor self image.
    I think you love yourself too much.


    And yeah, he actually appears on the first Newsboys album with the rap that starts out "Guess who breakin' through with a little disclaimer" etc. He also did bunches of stuff with Sixpence.

    Last I heard though he'd been voted off the Squint Entertainment board and was trying to do a movie project or something.

    I think he was always a true pioneer--the one who takes the arrows for those who follow after.

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  4. "I think he was always a true pioneer"

    Yeah, he is that. I pray our Lord will continue to open doors for Steve. Amen.

    ReplyDelete