Home› A Moving Train

My Sweet Lord

deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
edited April 2007 in A Moving Train
I'm listening to George Harrison's, My Sweet Lord, which is a spiritual prayer to his Lord Krishna. It got me wondering. How many people actually like this song? A lot, right? I'm sure. I do. But now why do most christian songs get bad raps as opposed to a song like this? I'm not trying to convince anybody to listen to christians songs or anything. I personally think that worship songs are personal and should only be favorable to those who believe in the same thing. But why would a song like My Sweet Lord be accepted in most of pop culture but a christian song, which is almost about absolutely the same thing (a spiritual prayer), wouldn't? Is it because of George Harrison's days of fame with the Beatles? Or is it just like any other acceptable spiritual song like Elvis Presley's "How Great thou Art" or Bob Dylan's own versions of gospel songs?
This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    My favorite religious song is "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" by Black Sabbath.
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • korbykorby Posts: 298
    hail the king. you are my lord and savoir. ????????????????

    fuck that. my sweet god.

    and some other guys that did things
    its ok
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    My cousin is right into Christian rock. A group called Underdog actually sounds pretty good. I listened to some of it at his place, but I'm an atheist.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    korby wrote:
    hail the king. you are my lord and savoir. ????????????????

    fuck that. my sweet god.

    and some other guys that did things
    ummm..... what?
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    Ahnimus wrote:
    My cousin is right into Christian rock. A group called Underdog actually sounds pretty good. I listened to some of it at his place, but I'm an atheist.
    never heard of them... but i've heard of underoath. they suck. i'm not into christian rock... unless it's starflyer 59 or the prayer chain. now those are great bands that i think most in here would actually enjoy.
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • korbykorby Posts: 298
    i have done things. you have done things

    maby i will do more things. will that make me king ?
    its ok
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    korby wrote:
    i have done things. you have done things

    maby i will do more things. will that make me king ?
    ?????? I'm actually more confused than before.
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    I think the problem with a lot of Christian music is that lyrically, it's mostly too allusive to biblical sources, or overfond of imperatives ("Love Him", for example). It's nearly always in the pulpit.

    My Sweet Lord is a musical plagiarism of He's So Fine, and the ever-litigious George Harrison found himself on the receiving end of a lawsuit for this song. The main reason why this song works is because of the melody, which is nothing to do with the semantic import of the lyrics. I don't think the Eastern religious slant in the lyrics makes much difference to it being more tolerable than Christian rock. Just think of what a whiner he is on Within You Without You! ;)

    Mind you, going back to Christian music for a second, I sometimes hear some nice stuff on World Harvest Radio, which I'll pick up occasionally on shortwave. Why does it sound nice? Nice melodies. Shortwave distorts the vocals!
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    I think the problem with a lot of Christian music is that lyrically, it's mostly too allusive to biblical sources, or overfond of imperatives ("Love Him", for example). It's nearly always in the pulpit.

    My Sweet Lord is a musical plagiarism of He's So Fine, and the ever-litigious George Harrison found himself on the receiving end of a lawsuit for this song. The main reason why this song works is because of the melody, which is nothing to do with the semantic import of the lyrics. I don't think the Eastern religious slant in the lyrics makes much difference to it being more tolerable than Christian rock. Just think of what a whiner he is on Within You Without You! ;)

    Mind you, going back to Christian music for a second, I sometimes hear some nice stuff on World Harvest Radio, which I'll pick up occasionally on shortwave.
    well, not really. maybe... but not in general. most christian songs are just spiritual songs like a one-on-one conversation with God himself. most of the phrases used in My Sweet Lord are parallel to most christians songs. Phrases like, "I really want to see you." Or even the most obvious, "hallelujah". but most christian songs aren't really about preaching they are more of just singing to "God". but i'm sure that there are songs that are kinda "preachy" as you say.

    like a song from a christian artist called Michael W Smith. has a song that says, "Open the eyes of my heart Lord.... to see you highly lifted up shining in the light of your glory" They certainly are spiritually inspired and powerful phrases very much like My Sweet Lord. but get Smith to do the very same thing that George Harrison did I don't think the song would've had the same popularity.

    but then the way you put it actually makes sense now that i think of it. in other words, harrison is kinda making a joke about something?
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • RolandTD20KdrummerRolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    deadnothingbetter wrote:
    I'm listening to George Harrison's, My Sweet Lord, which is a spiritual prayer to his Lord Krishna. It got me wondering. How many people actually like this song? A lot, right? I'm sure. I do. But now why do most christian songs get bad raps as opposed to a song like this? I'm not trying to convince anybody to listen to christians songs or anything. I personally think that worship songs are personal and should only be favorable to those who believe in the same thing. But why would a song like My Sweet Lord be accepted in most of pop culture but a christian song, which is almost about absolutely the same thing (a spiritual prayer), wouldn't? Is it because of George Harrison's days of fame with the Beatles? Or is it just like any other acceptable spiritual song like Elvis Presley's "How Great thou Art" or Bob Dylan's own versions of gospel songs?

    I take it you mean this song:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95LFNe3Uw-w

    Actually that song bugs me... it's too washy, whimsical, and soft in the head for me.
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

    (\__/)
    ( o.O)
    (")_(")
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:
    I take it you mean this song:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95LFNe3Uw-w

    Actually that song bugs me... it's too washy, whimsical, and soft in the head for me.
    well thanks for the post cause now i get to see the video... i really like this song. and george harrison looks like a badass hippie.
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • RolandTD20KdrummerRolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    deadnothingbetter wrote:
    well thanks for the post cause now i get to see the video... i really like this song. and george harrison looks like a badass hippie.

    Funny thing is I had it stuck in my head all day from watching 15 seconds from the link!!!

    gaack!

    I actually liked it when it first came out...I guess I've just grown tired of it.
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

    (\__/)
    ( o.O)
    (")_(")
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    I think people like it because it sounds good. I'm an atheist, but there is some gospel music that I enjoy. I like Ben Harper's gospel record, Mavis Staples has done some amazing stuff ... she could sing the dictionary and it would probably sound good ... I like Christmas music too. I haven't listened to any modern Christian popular music, so I can't say what I'd think of that.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • RolandTD20KdrummerRolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    hippiemom wrote:
    I think people like it because it sounds good. I'm an atheist, but there is some gospel music that I enjoy. I like Ben Harper's gospel record, Mavis Staples has done some amazing stuff ... she could sing the dictionary and it would probably sound good ... I like Christmas music too. I haven't listened to any modern Christian popular music, so I can't say what I'd think of that.

    Agree. All feel good stuff. As long as the lyrics aren't too sermon-ish, I dig just about anything that's arranged well.
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

    (\__/)
    ( o.O)
    (")_(")
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:
    Agree. All feel good stuff. As long as the lyrics aren't too sermon-ish, I dig just about anything that's arranged well.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMIuBYTXlKQ

    ok then good... here's a link to a christian rock band called the prayer chain. this song is badassssss. the dude looked a lot cooler back in 93 when the song first came out... now he looks too conservative. and he does this eddie vedder thing climbin on the rails but doesn't jump... probably cause he's too old.

    this was their younder and much better years.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCN5n-sI3WY&mode=related&search=
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U7DjhsC0MY

    here's another one.
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • RolandTD20KdrummerRolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    deadnothingbetter wrote:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMIuBYTXlKQ

    ok then good... here's a link to a christian rock band called the prayer chain. this song is badassssss. the dude looked a lot cooler back in 93 when the song first came out... now he looks too conservative. and he does this eddie vedder thing climbin on the rails but doesn't jump... probably cause he's too old.

    Yeah man, pretty good. Decent guitar solo, I liked the tremolo effect, and the drum kit sounded tight...well tuned.
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

    (\__/)
    ( o.O)
    (")_(")
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:
    Yeah man, pretty good. Decent guitar solo, I liked the tremolo effect, and the drum kit sounded tight...well tuned.
    now seriously... go to itune or something or check them out on myspace and listen to their Mercury album... i am sure you will enjoy that. they are not at all preachy on that album it's very pooetic and stuff. i've gotten other friends who aren't christian at all to actually become fans of that album. now seriously check them out. these guys are a genuinely good band... the song i showed you was from their grunge "influences" but they later progressed to a much more conceptual band.

    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=17666409
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • momofglynnmomofglynn Posts: 849
    deadnothingbetter wrote:
    I'm listening to George Harrison's, My Sweet Lord, which is a spiritual prayer to his Lord Krishna. It got me wondering. How many people actually like this song? A lot, right? I'm sure. I do. But now why do most christian songs get bad raps as opposed to a song like this? I'm not trying to convince anybody to listen to christians songs or anything. I personally think that worship songs are personal and should only be favorable to those who believe in the same thing. But why would a song like My Sweet Lord be accepted in most of pop culture but a christian song, which is almost about absolutely the same thing (a spiritual prayer), wouldn't? Is it because of George Harrison's days of fame with the Beatles? Or is it just like any other acceptable spiritual song like Elvis Presley's "How Great thou Art" or Bob Dylan's own versions of gospel songs?

    I think it's really a little of George being a Beatle but mostly because the song it just a good song. George, had an amazing ability to write songs that people just liked. Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Prince, Paul McCartney, all of these guys just write great pop songs. I am even going to go out on a limb but I think Dave Grohl will be in this group soon too. He just writes songs that are just so easy to like.

    That gospel album that Elvis did is still one of my mom's favorites and she is no where near a religious person. She just loved Elvis.
    Let's Go Red Sox!
  • dkst0426dkst0426 Posts: 523
    I'm a pretty devout Christian, but I'd say that most contemporary Christian music sucks anyway. It's like the artists pay close attention to what's popular, and then they copy it. This lack of originality is what ticks me off about the Christian music scene.

    Besides, the word "Christian" is not an adjective, it's a noun.

    Music is music.
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    momofglynn wrote:
    I think it's really a little of George being a Beatle but mostly because the song it just a good song. George, had an amazing ability to write songs that people just liked. Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Prince, Paul McCartney, all of these guys just write great pop songs. I am even going to go out on a limb but I think Dave Grohl will be in this group soon too. He just writes songs that are just so easy to like.

    That gospel album that Elvis did is still one of my mom's favorites and she is no where near a religious person. She just loved Elvis.
    yeah, this makes more sense. but now still go check out The Prayer Chain... for the sake of good rock music DO IT! j/k :D
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • RolandTD20KdrummerRolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    deadnothingbetter wrote:
    now seriously... go to itune or something or check them out on myspace and listen to their Mercury album... i am sure you will enjoy that. they are not at all preachy on that album it's very pooetic and stuff. i've gotten other friends who aren't christian at all to actually become fans of that album. now seriously check them out. these guys are a genuinely good band... the song i showed you was from their grunge "influences" but they later progressed to a much more conceptual band.

    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=17666409


    That's easily the best Christian rock band I've heard yet. By far actually. You have a good ear for music.
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

    (\__/)
    ( o.O)
    (")_(")
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    dkst0426 wrote:
    I'm a pretty devout Christian, but I'd say that most contemporary Christian music sucks anyway. It's like the artists pay close attention to what's popular, and then they copy it. This lack of originality is what ticks me off about the Christian music scene.

    Besides, the word "Christian" is not an adjective, it's a noun.

    Music is music.
    well i agree. but i do like a few songs here and there from michael w smith just because it brings back memories and some because they are spiritually inspiring. rich mullins was good too... like his album "a liturgy, a legacy and a ragamuffin band" is really good and very poetic and very spiritually inspiring. but in general, yeah, contemporary music does suck. worship music is different though.
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
    RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:
    That's easily the best Christian rock band I've heard yet. By far actually. You have a good ear for music.
    well, it's not the only good christian rock band you'll hear. listen to this.

    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=11729254
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • HerboHerbo Posts: 63
    deadnothingbetter wrote:
    I'm listening to George Harrison's, My Sweet Lord, which is a spiritual prayer to his Lord Krishna. It got me wondering. How many people actually like this song? A lot, right? I'm sure. I do. But now why do most christian songs get bad raps as opposed to a song like this? I'm not trying to convince anybody to listen to christians songs or anything. I personally think that worship songs are personal and should only be favorable to those who believe in the same thing. But why would a song like My Sweet Lord be accepted in most of pop culture but a christian song, which is almost about absolutely the same thing (a spiritual prayer), wouldn't? Is it because of George Harrison's days of fame with the Beatles? Or is it just like any other acceptable spiritual song like Elvis Presley's "How Great thou Art" or Bob Dylan's own versions of gospel songs?

    I arent religious, and I dont even like christian music , however this song just has a weird calming affect for me. I think its his deep yearning to get to that.... nirvana if you like, through spirituality. That would be a nice place I think.
    Take a bottle drink it down..... pass it around !
  • statisticsstatistics Posts: 26
    my sweet lord's an excellent and indeed very spritual-sounding song. i prefer the version they spruced up for the re-release to the original.
  • Restless SoulRestless Soul Posts: 805
    deadnothingbetter wrote:
    I'm listening to George Harrison's, My Sweet Lord, which is a spiritual prayer to his Lord Krishna. It got me wondering. How many people actually like this song? A lot, right? I'm sure. I do. But now why do most christian songs get bad raps as opposed to a song like this? I'm not trying to convince anybody to listen to christians songs or anything. I personally think that worship songs are personal and should only be favorable to those who believe in the same thing. But why would a song like My Sweet Lord be accepted in most of pop culture but a christian song, which is almost about absolutely the same thing (a spiritual prayer), wouldn't? Is it because of George Harrison's days of fame with the Beatles? Or is it just like any other acceptable spiritual song like Elvis Presley's "How Great thou Art" or Bob Dylan's own versions of gospel songs?

    I like this song. I've been to his temple (bhaktivedanta manor) in London several times and it's one of the most peaceful places on earth for me.

    I don't know why christian songs get a bad rap. Maybe its because of the intention - you always get the feeling that the band comes with a big church behind it with a policy to "reach more young people" type thing. Like the band is not into the music for its own sake but because they are trying to spread the word, kind of like an evangelising message to spread the religion type thing that comes with it, maybe. Also maybe its because they are seen as the "establishment" in the west whereas something like the Hare Krishnas are outsiders, which might account for their appeal to some.
    "We have to change the concept of patriotism to one of “matriotism” — love of humanity that transcends war. A matriarch would never send her own children off to wars that kill other people’s children." Cindy Sheehan
    ---
    London, Brixton, 14 July 1993
    London, Wembley, 1996
    London, Wembley, 18 June 2007
    London, O2, 18 August 2009
    London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 31 July 2012
    Milton Keynes Bowl, 11 July 2014
    London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 06 June 2017
    London, O2, 18 June 2018
    London, O2, 17 July 2018
    Amsterdam, Afas Live (Ed solo), 09 June 2019
    Amsterdam, Afas Live (Ed solo), 10 June 2019



  • dkst0426dkst0426 Posts: 523
    deadnothingbetter wrote:
    worship music is different though.

    Oh definitely so. I'm old-school in that I love hymns. I'm also a big fan of Tomlin and Crowder, though. The Passion worship series has been great, though for the life of me, I can't figure out why, whenever there's a praise/worship release, the next one always has to have at least 2-3 songs from the previous one. More frustration there.
Sign In or Register to comment.