For My Sunday Song #161, we are now taking over with the next 10 songs coming from one of my favorite bands Needtobreathe. A rock band with a Southern Rock sound, folk, Americana, gospel all with a Christian background and some of the best songs I have ever heard.  I usually try to stick with the non-singles, but as I want more people to know this band, I won’t always stick with that philosophy…although this song is just that.  The song this week is called “Cops” and it is a B-Side for the song “Keep Your Eyes Open”. The song is also a bonus track on the LP version of the album ‘The Reckoning’ from 2011.  Yes, the LP has the bonus tracks!!

The song is one of the bands heaviest songs and completely rocks out.  The reason for that is the subject matter of the song. Needtobreathe has always been labeled a Christian band, but they are not.  They are a rock band that has a Christian upbringing and that subject matter bleeds in to the music from time to time.  But that is not their focus.  They don’t deny they are Christians, they just want to play music and have a good time…nothing wrong with that.

The song is about the Christian people that are trying to tie the band down as a Christian band.  The constant opinions about how they are disappointing God when they don’t sing about him and they should be out there spreading the word.  Sorry, they are a Rock band first and they are not apologizing for that.  The band likens this pressure to being chased by “Cops”…so there you have it.  I find it funny how Christians are supposed to be holier than thou, but yet they are the first to cast the stone and point the finger when they should be looking in to that mirror themselves.  Another problem I have with religion although I am a Christian, their hypocrisy is sickening at times.  Soapbox, getting down now.

Bear Rinehart’s vocals are fantastic and you can feel the anger.  Heck, the music comes across as angry with Bo Rinehart ripping on the guitar, Seth Bolt thumping on that bass, Josh Lovelace angrily pounding the keys and Joe Stillwell laying waste to the drums.  I love this song for the Big Middle Finger to the Christian hypocrites!!

Give it a listen and let me know what you think.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

“Cops”