The following are some recent mistakes made by some artists in the music industry. They aren’t necessarily commercial mistakes, but are either poor decisions morally and/or could hurt the artists’ popularity and credibility in the long term.
Pink – “U+Ur Hand”
How does Pink expect people to find this song online with such a title? It should have been called “You and Your Hand.”
I’m not going to get into the particulars of the lyrics to this song, but I have a question. Does this song get played in strip clubs?
Gwen Stefani – “Luxurious”
I don’t know why, but I keep hearing this song, even though it’s kind of old.
I think sampling “Between The Sheets” by the Isley Brothers was a mistake. What about The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa,” which samples that song? “Big Poppa” is too much of a classic to sample “Between The Sheets.” Why not rather sample something no one has sampled before? I recently heard rap song that sampled “Eyes Without a Face” by Billy Idol. Cool. Anyone know who that was?
What’s Gwen gonna sample next? “Super Freak,” and call the song “U Can Touch This”?
Christina Aguilera – “Candyman”
I thought “Candyman” was by Gia Farrell when I first heard it. Nope, it’s Christina Aguilera.
I regret the day when I actually listened to the lyrics of this fun song. By fun, I mean the music is really fun! I like music in this kind of Big Band swing style (occasionally). The lyrics, however, are disgusting! I was at the gym, this song is blasting, and I felt so embarrassed, with these lyrics coming out of the speakers and men and women from all ages around working out. She’s gone too far this time. I thought she was done being “Dirrty” after her recent hit, “Hurt.” Nope, Christina’s moral decline has probably just begun.
Lyrics found at www.completealbumlyrics.com:
He’s a one stop jive, makes my panties drop
He’s a sweet talkin’ sugar coated candy man
Well, by now I’m getting all bothered and hot
When he hits my mouth he really hits the spot
He’s a one stop, gotcha hot, makin all the panties drop
He’s a one stop, got me hot, makin’ my *uh* pop
He’s a one stop jive with a real big *uh*
Fans of Christian music
Fans of Christian music have made a mistake proclaiming Evanescence and their music as “Christian.”
Check out Korn’s “MTVUnplugged” album that was recently released. Amy Lee from Evanescence is featured on “Freak on a Leash”. While she and Korn’s singer Jonathan Davis do not use the “F” word in the song where it belongs, at one point Amy gives a good sensual moan in it’s place.
I know this debate has played itself out over and over on the web and elsewhere, but lets say it- Amy Lee is not a Christian. Can we enjoy her music? I think so, but let’s not point to her as an example of a Christian artist. Am I judging her (Matthew 7:1-2)? Check out Matthew 7:17-20. I’m just looking for good fruit.
Fefe Dobson “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head”
I really liked her debut self-titled album. Dads, ever considering leaving your wife and kids? Check out Fefe’s scathing track “Unforgiven” for a dose of reality and the consequences of sin. No, it’s not a cover of the epic Metallica song, it’s a song dedicated to a father who left his wife and very young daughter. To say Daddy has slightly upset Fefe is a great understatement.
However, Fefe is missing her demographic (young girls) in “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head” when singing to her boyfriend, “I think of you in bed” Most parents hear that and warning flags go up (I hope). Wait, are parents even listening to the content of the songs that their kids listen to?
I thought Britney Spears was making a mistake singing “I’m not that innocent” in “Oops, I Did it Again.” You’ve got to admit, her record sales significantly dropped off after that album. She became tabloid and reality show fodder.
Avril Lavigne – “Girlfriend”
The music and melody to this song are absolutely exhilarating. It’s reminiscent of some classic songs such as “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones, and “Mickey” by Toni Basil. A tried and true formula for a hit song is implemented here. If the hype keeps up, this song could last high on the charts well into the summer. It feels like a fun summer song, too.
But what about the lyrics? It’s the same story as Fefe Dobson above- she’s missing her demographic or forcing it to grow up with her into foul-mouthed fornicators.
Let’s compare lyrics from a past song, “Don’t Tell Me” (lyrics from www.completealbumlyrics.com:
Did I not tell you That I’m not like that girl
The one who gives it all away, yeah
I’m gonna ask you to stop
Thought I liked you a lot,
But I’m really upset
Get out of my head
Get off of my bed
Yeah that’s what I said
Now let’s look at some lyrics from “Girlfriend” (lyrics found at www.completealbumlyrics.com)
Don’t pretend
I think you know
I’m damn precious
And hell yeah
I’m the m***** f****** princess
You’re so addictive
Don’t you know
What I can do
To make you feel alright
What? Avril goes and gets married, and now she can just pump out smut? I don’t get where the change came in. Doesn’t marriage mellow one out? It’s sad.
This post picks on some ladies of rock. It’s not intentional that it’s all ladies. But, hey, I expect such material from men. What is wrong? I know what’s wrong: sin. The Bible says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 3:23). Pink, Christina, Fefe, Gwen, Avril, Amy – it’s not too late for you to repent of your sins and receive Christ as that free gift given by God.
