| The Flaming Lips – The Gash Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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"Song meanings" doesn't have to mean the meaning intended by the artist who wrote the lyrics and music, though that is valuable. It can also mean meanings it has to the listener, which can be equally powerful or more so to that individual. I agree that the Flaming Lips appear to be agnostic, or even atheist (Vein of Stars seems to support this), but that doesn't mean that their music doesn't touch on the spiritual aspect of life, whether they intended it to, or whether the listener can relate the music and lyrics to his own spiritual experience. Plus, denouncing organized religion isn't an indicator of spiritual belief necessarily. Religion isn't a belief but an institution created by man to organize people around a belief. Spiritual belief can exist apart from a religion. I think the song does have very spiritual meanings. The gash, everyone's physical/mental/emotional injuries or struggles, reflects the fact that we live in a fallen world under the yoke of sin. This doesn't seem to be the meaning they intended, but what they are saying is consistent with this interpretation. |
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| Brave Saint Saturn – Blessed are the Landmines Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Probably my favorite song the CD lyrically, which is saying a lot because the lyrics on the disc are some of Reese's and Dennis's best works. I think the lyrics are pretty clear, that the Church isn't as loving as it should be. I think it's clearly a call out on health and wealth churches especially. My question is how far is this song reaching? I am personally a pacifist, and believe Christ taught pacifism. The lyrics to this song line up very well to that belief, but is that the intention? I think it is. It has very sarcastic lyrics, that I think are not just metaphors. It's hard to describe, but I think the Church in America has become too disposed to war, supportive of sending out troops to "defend America." Thank God for the freedoms I have as an American, but I think the Church often gets so enamored with America and the freedom to practice religion, that it misses all the injustice in American government, culture, and the rest of the world. It's more concerned with the health and wealth of American church-goers than loving our neighbors and enemies. I think the audio clips of Pat Robertson really cement all this, with who he is in addition to what he is saying. My comments might sound a bit unpatriotic, but they really hit on the lyric "To hate war is to hate us, to love peace is to love treason." |
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| Brave Saint Saturn – Heart Still Beats Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I think StormTrooper74 is right, but I also think there is more to it. I think it is about no matter how lost or sinful someone is, everyone is still human, and they need God whether they acknowledge it or not. And we have to see that, and evangelize to people. I find it interesting the contrast of the first and second verses. The first shows someone clearly in despair because of how sin has affected her life. In the second verse, the man would not say he needed God or anyone else. He's tough, independent. The third verse is seeing these people, and knowing what to do, but hiding behind apathy and excuses. The final chorus about his own heart is how he needs God as well, and I think also that the other people are just like him. No one is so far gone in sin for Christ to forgive, and we must not judge people but have compassion on them because we are the same. |
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