ENGAGING CULTURE

In this edition of Chart Toppers I want to take a look Pop vs. Rock.

The distinctions between these two genres has always been interesting to me. While Pop can be any genre, it seems to me to have a common theme: Sex and relationships. I guess what they say in advertising is true, sex sells. In fact the top 7 (I couldn’t stand to look any further) of Billboard’s Pop 100 chart each contained obvious sexual references. On the other hand the top 10 of their Mainstream Rock 100, and rock in general seems to express true emotion (fear, pain, anger, discontentment, mockery, confusion) over a wide range of social issues. Perhaps this is why I have never been a big fan of Pop music. I prefer a thick dose of reality, good or bad, over sappy sentimentality any day.

The two songs that I chose are “Lips of an Angel” by Hinder and “Land of Confusion” by Disturbed (A remake of a Genesis song by the same name). You may have noticed that these two songs are listed on the top of the site’s mp3 player. “Lips of an Angel” is currently #3 on the Pop charts (#11 on the Rock charts) while Land of Confusion is #1 on the Rock charts.

Lips of an Angel - Hinder
Honey why you calling me so late?
It’s kinda hard to talk right now.
Honey why are you crying? Is everything okay?
I gotta whisper ’cause I can’t be too loud

Well, my girl’s in the next room
Sometimes I wish she was you
I guess we never really moved on

It’s really good to hear your voice saying my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

It’s funny that you’re calling me tonight
And, yes, I’ve dreamt of you too
And does he know you’re talking to me
Will it start a fight
No I don’t think she has a clue

Well my girl’s in the next room
Sometimes I wish she was you
I guess we never really moved on
It’s really good to hear your voice saying my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

Obviously, this song is a transcript of a phone conversation between former lovers. They have each, since their parting, united with another lover. Though it appears that they are not over each other yet. However, the song does not give us enough information to know whether or not anyone in this tangle of passion is (or has ever been) married.

Therefore, it does a good job of showing why sex was designed for marriage. It’s like a fireplace. When fire is in that fireplace it is safe and good, but when it gets out it causes trouble. The same holds true for sex. When inside marriage it is good and safe, but when outside those prescribed boundaries it causes trouble.

I as proud of the man for at least showing some commitment to monogamy. Though when you are in a relationship, the lips of a former lover are never those of an angel, but rather the temptation of the devil.

Land of Confusion - Disturbed
I must have dreamed a thousand dreams
Been haunted by a million screams
But I can hear the marching feet
They’re moving into the street

Now, did you read the news today?
They say the danger has gone away
But I can see the fire’s still alight
They’re burning into the night

There’s too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there’s not much love to go around
Can’t you see this is the land of confusion?

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth living in

Oh, superman, where are you now?
When everything’s gone wrong somehow?
The men of steel, I hate these men of power
I’m losing control by the hour

This is the time, this is the place
So we look for the future
But there’s not much love to go around
Tell me why this is the land of confusion

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth living in

I remember long ago
When the sun was shining
And all the stars were bright all through the night
In the wake up this madness, as I held you tight
So long ago

I won’t be coming home tonight
My generation will put it right
We’re not just making promises
That we know we’ll never keep

There’s too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there’s not much love to go round
Can’t you see this is the land of confusion?

Now, this is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for

This is the world we live in
And these are the names we’re given
Stand up and let’s start showing
Just where our lives are going to

This song is obviously expressing some political discontentment. And a desire to envoke and inspire change. While it doesn’t make me feel nearly as warm and fuzzy inside, it does give rise to some emotions that I must deal with. Am I going to sit and dream about my lover all day long or will I actually open my eyes to the world and be proactive in making it a better place to live.

As far as I know none of the artists are Christians, and it shows. But the message of the song by Disturbed (Genesis) can and should be embraced by Christians, not that we can overthrow governments and bring about change by force or power in numbers. Rather, that we can face discontentment knowing the all sovereign God who causes the rise and fall of kings and nations. May we trust in his hands and with his help make this a place that better reflects his glory.