Rewriting Worldly Songs?

[Ev. Duane Williams]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5h24PPR0Wk

This is a Black Sabbath song about a guy losing his mind, and I rewrote it to glorify the Lord. Whaddya think? About the song and the whole concept of rewriting songs like this(I have more where this one came from)

[Truthseeker]

worldly indeed.

[Jason B]

I didn't click the link, but I agree with TS. I think its lame when christians try to christianize secular music. I hate it when I'm listening to "christian radio" and the play some recycled 80s pop song because it has the word love, faith, or pray. For example recently I heard "in the name of love" I think Billy Idol originally sung it another had the line (don't know the title but unfortunately I know 80s pop when I hear it) "if I ever lose my faith in you". Like I said I think its lame, just like "christian" t shirts that are spoofs like "Jesus Christ" in coca cola script with the slogan "he's the real thing." I digress, back to the music.....yeah, borrow songs from the world and at the same time try to convince them we have something they don't and can't live without. Not very credible or convincing IMO.

[Ev. Duane Williams]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

I didn't click the link, but I agree with TS. I think its lame when christians try to christianize secular music. I hate it when I'm listening to "christian radio" and the play some recycled 80s pop song because it has the word love, faith, or pray. For example recently I heard "in the name of love" I think Billy Idol originally sung it another had the line (don't know the title but unfortunately I know 80s pop when I hear it) "if I ever lose my faith in you". Like I said I think its lame, just like "christian" t shirts that are spoofs like "Jesus Christ" in coca cola script with the slogan "he's the real thing." I digress, back to the music.....yeah, borrow songs from the world and at the same time try to convince them we have something they don't and can't live without. Not very credible or convincing IMO.

Just like when David "borrowed" Goliath's own sword to slay him with? A weapon created with the intention of killing God's people, used by the man of God to destroy God's enemies. I've had people become interested in hearing the Gospel because of songs like this, and when they get saved, the devil's own sword has been used against him. I will use whatever I can to reach people. I've never found the self-righteous holier than thou sword to be very effective, but to each his own.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Ev. Duane Williams

Just like when David "borrowed" Goliath's own sword to slay him with?

Oh yeah, just like it, lol.

[AncientPaths]

Originally Posted by Ev. Duane Williams

Just like when David "borrowed" Goliath's own sword to slay him with? A weapon created with the intention of killing God's people, used by the man of God to destroy God's enemies. I've had people become interested in hearing the Gospel because of songs like this, and when they get saved, the devil's own sword has been used against him. I will use whatever I can to reach people. I've never found the self-righteous holier than thou sword to be very effective, but to each his own.

I don't have a problem with your method. I personally don't like the approach for originality/artistic reasons, but I can't fault you if it works.

[Ev. Duane Williams]

Originally Posted by AncientPaths

I don't have a problem with your method. I personally don't like the approach for originality/artistic reasons, but I can't fault you if it works.

I have my own originals as well. Much harder to write. These songs are covers that I used to play as part of a hard rock band almost a decade ago. Trust me, when people hear a Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin opening riff, it tends to perk up the ears of those who would immediately turn away from "Blessed Assurance".

[Ev. Duane Williams]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

Oh yeah, just like it, lol.

The self righteous, nose in the air sword is a dull one indeed. lol

What the devil meant for evil(Heavy Metal), God's gonna make it good, turn around, turn around, turn around. Or is that song lame as well?

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

I didn't click the link, but I agree with TS. I think its lame when christians try to christianize secular music. I hate it when I'm listening to "christian radio" and the play some recycled 80s pop song because it has the word love, faith, or pray. For example recently I heard "in the name of love" I think Billy Idol originally sung it another had the line (don't know the title but unfortunately I know 80s pop when I hear it) "if I ever lose my faith in you". Like I said I think its lame, just like "christian" t shirts that are spoofs like "Jesus Christ" in coca cola script with the slogan "he's the real thing." I digress, back to the music.....yeah, borrow songs from the world and at the same time try to convince them we have something they don't and can't live without. Not very credible or convincing IMO.

I agree with you for the most part. Celine Dione's "Because You Loved Me" has been played here in Dallas for a few years now, though done by someone else. I don't care for it as a "Christian" song, although I do like Celine's played elsewhere.

However, there is one song that struck me so odd in a beautiful way recently. Edwin McCain's "I Could Not Ask For More," popular back in 2000, hit me but with the following lyrical changes: instead of "Lying here with you, listening to the rain," I replaced it with "Standing here with You, lifting up my hands," and kept the same lyrics after that. Another slight change was "These are the moments, I thank God that I'm alive," and I simply put "I thank You that I'm alive." The rest, again, was the same.

Some may not care for that either, but given the fact that I've been in worship services at church where "You Are So Beautiful To Me" was sung accoustically, there was no doubt God's presence was sweet at that moment. I could honestly imagine singing Edwin McCain's song with the slight lyrical changes and sing them to God. I think He'd be pleased considering it wouldn't be sung to anyone else.

Just my thoughts, agree or not...

[Rose]

I can relate... somewhat. When an old tune pops into my head and will not leave... I just start singing Christian words to drown out the words of my memory.