Tag: Faith

My Sunday Song – “Blues for the Disillusioned” by Rick Springfield

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For My Sunday Song #274, we are going to talk about a song that is not what you’d expect from Rick Springfield. It is a blues song called “Blues for the Disillusioned” off his 2018 album ‘The Snake King’ which is as close to blues album as you will get from Rick. The album didn’t chart, the song was not a single and it might be one you’ve never heard about, but you would be missing out.

The album was recorded during a very dark time in Rick’s life. He had contemplated suicide at one point during his darkest days. I’m not sure if this album was his therapy, but he laid out a lot on this album and this song in particular for me was a standout. There are a lot of religious aspects to the song and not all of them good. He blasts God and the Bible in particular John 16:24 where it says “Ask and You Shall Receive”, but I don’t think Rick feels God answered anything. In fact, I think he is now very disillusioned with God and faith. In reading the lyrics, Rick has had enough of so called “God” and it seems he feels that God has abandoned us all and it really makes this a very sad song.

Some of the other examples are that God manipulated Adam and Eve as well as they say God doesn’t give you what you ask for, He gives you what you need…well tell that to the 13 million starving kids in the Middle East. These parts of the song show some one who is not on the side of God anymore. I wonder where he sits now, I’d love to ask him about it.

The song is more of a ballad type song in tempo and it has a melancholy feel to it which makes sense as the lyrics are pretty dark. There is a not much blues per se, more of a country twang, but the slide guitar gives a little hint at blues. Regardless, there is a nice groove and Rick does sound great, but for me the song is about the lyrics and the meaning behind them all. That is what I found most fascinating about it. For that, I am a huge fan.

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My Sunday Song – “Something to Believe In” by Bon Jovi

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For My Sunday Song #195, we are diving in to the fantastic song “Something to Believe” off the band’s 1995 underrated album ‘These Days’.  This song was never a single and probably one of the best deep cuts they have on any record.  It really spoke to me and to this day, it means a lot.

The song has been considered anti-religious with lines like “I lost all faith in my God, in his religion too”, but the song is really about fighting back and finding that one thing to hold on to and reach for and to believe in.  I know for me, I have struggled a lot in this world.  There were times I had lost my faith and I still struggle with my belief in religion.  Not with God or Jesus, but organized religion. I see the damage it has caused through the centuries, the charlatans out there wanting your money and our the first ones to sin.  The holier-than-thou Church goers that think cast the first stone and our cheating on their spouses.  The churches that hide the child molesting priest.  I could go on and on and talk about the hypocrisy of it all.   But I won’t.  You get where I am coming from.

So how do you find that one thing to believe in?  I don’t know, but dig deep and it just happens.  I believe in my wife and kids.  My brothers and sisters and those that have always been there. I believe in Jesus and God…BUT…in my own way.  As Jon states, “in a world that gives you nothing, we need something to believe in”.  And with what has going on in the world these last couple months, I think this song holds even more meaning.  Hang in there!  We will get through it and come out the other side even better as we always do.

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My Sunday Song – “Blind Faith” by Def Leppard

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For My Sunday Song #159, I want to discuss the  song “Blind Faith” off the self-titled album Def Leppard from 2015.  The final song on the album and not a rocker, but not sure it is a ballad either.  The album has helped see a jump in popularity for the band as it is probably the best album they have done in about the last 20 years.  And for me, this song is part of the reason.

“Blind Faith” was written by Rick Savage and Joe Elliott and is a commentary on religion and cult-like faith groups.  I think I connected to it due to his viewpoints are similar to mine.  It is not that he doesn’t believe in God, it is not a knock on religion, it is more that sometimes organized religion is kind of futile.

Joe said this about the song in an interview with Claire Sturgess for Absolute Radio:

“We’ve always touched on the real side of life if you like. Mostly it’s in with relationship stuff but with this it was like just observation of the that humanity can be abused if you like. And I set out writing this thing and I just had this stream of consciousness. It just came pouring out of me but I made a very conscious effort to not be preachy and finger waggy about it. If you actually read the lyrics. And I did say to the guy when he was putting the artwork together. I want a question mark putting at the end because I want everybody to realise. I’m asking a question and I’m not telling you what’s going on. I’m asking is it really what’s going on?. You know. Make your own mind up. So in that – it is poking a little bit but it’s not preaching. I want the listener to make their own mind up as to whether you know what they’re hearing is representative of what they’re thinking as well because it’s certainly what a lot of people think.”

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Tuesday’s Memes – George Michael

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I didn’t realize I hadn’t done a George Michael Memes edition yet.  He definitely deserved one, so I guess better late than never.  From Wham to his solo work, George was one of the best.  He has been missed!  Here’s to you George and I am sorry, but some of these were too funny not to share although some are pretty tasteless.

The songs…

Hey Braveheart!!  What is your favorite song?

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My Sunday Song – “Something to Believe In” by Poison

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For My Sunday Song #95, this power ballad comes to us from Poison. The song is “Something To Believe In” and is off their 1990 album ‘Flesh & Blood’.  The song went to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is great example of how moving and poignant a song can be.

The song is about two people in Bret Michael’s life.  The first is his personal friend and bodyguard, James Kimo Maano or Kimo.  Kimo got hooked up in the rock & roll lifestyle and with his abuse of drugs and alcohol, his life tragically ended early.  When Bret found out, he was inspired to write this song as a tribute to his friend.  When you watch the video of this song, you see an emotional Bret Michaels reacting to pictures that showed up on the TV of his friend.  The Director of the video didn’t tell him the pictures were being used and it took Bret by surprise.  It was a cruel trick, but it captured a real moment.

The other person is Bret’s cousin Bob who had been wounded in Vietnam and the song talks about his struggles mentally with what happened as well as the loss of so many of his cousin’s friends in the way.  It paints a stark reality of the damage war can have on a person.

The whole song discusses reasons for Bret’s loss of faith whether it is from false prophets, the homeless, the impact of war or the loss of a close friend.  The song paints such a graphic picture that you can’t help but be touched by it in some way.  And depends on your mood when you listen, it could even bring a tear to your eyes.

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Colton Dixon – Identity (Deluxe Edition – 2017) – Album Review

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Colton Dixon is one of the rising stars in the Christian genre.  As everyone always has to mention, he is a former American Idol contestant who finished in 7th place on Season 11. Now on his third album, the maturity and vocal talent are hitting their peak. Colton has been growing with each release and ‘Identity’ shows definitely shows that growth.

‘Identity’ is a very ambitious album for this young singer.  The Deluxe Edition is a startling 17 tracks and is a loosely based concept album.  I say loosely as the album doesn’t tell a story from beginning to end, but appears to be broken into three parts with the songs representing that theme.  The three themes are “The Mind”, “The Body” and “The Spirit”.

“The Mind”

The first part of the album is “The Mind”.  The album starts off with the Interlude called “The Mind” which is an instrumental piece with angel like voiceovers by a female and male voiceover giving you the theme of the section.  It is actually quite great.  The song transitions seamlessly into the title track “Identity”.  The four songs in this section are all pop songs that in one shape or another are representative of the mind.

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My Sunday Song – “Even If” by MercyMe

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For My Sunday Song #38, I chose “Even If” by MercyMe. I know I just did a MercyMe but that post was written before I discovered this song.  The song is off their new album, “Lifer” and is the first single from that release (Click on “Lifer” to read the review). It is currently #1 on iTunes in the Christian genre.

What I get from the song is that no matter how dark things may get, no matter how bad your situation may be, no matter if you feel if God is not their to help…He is there for you!  There is someone I know that is probably going through the most difficult time of their life and I hope they dig deep and reach out to God for forgiveness and for help.

God is a comfort for me.  I might not “walk the walk” or “talk the talk” as a Christian person should, but I know He is there when I need Him…which is a lot.

From FreeCCM.com, I found an article by FreeCCMAbby that discusses the meaning behind the song.  There is a video you can watch that will discuss the song.  I am borrowing the following quote from the site

“Even If” is a reminder to people in difficult situations that don’t seem to go away. God is worthy long before any of those circumstances even showed up. This song is a declaration to God that even if He went silent and never said another word, He’s still worthy to be praised and that He’s our greatest hope in the midst of the trial.” – Bart Millard (MercyMe)

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My Sunday Song – “The Other Side” by Colton Dixon

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For My Sunday Song # 37, I chose “The Other Side” by Colton Dixon.  The song is off his new album “Identity” and if you haven’t heard it, be prepared to be impacted.  Colton is a former American Idol contestant who has found his calling in Christian Music.  This is his third album and it is an ambitious album to say the least.  I believe he has delivered a stellar collection of songs (See review HERE).

The song, “The Other Side”, has impacted me greatly.  The song is about not fearing death and how beautiful the other side is after death.  Here is Colton and his wife discussing the meaning behind the song.

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My Sunday Song – “Get Up Get Out” by Rhett Walker Band

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My Sunday Song #36 is “Get Up Get Out” by the Rhett Walker Band.  The song is off their 2012 album ‘Come to the River’.  Rhett Walker is a Christian Rock & Southern Rock band out of Nashville, Tennessee.  I discovered them by listening to Needtobreathe and this was listed as “Similar Bands”, so I checked them  out and I am glad I did.

This song is about not being silent.  It is about taking action and not being afraid to be different than everyone else.  Whether it is speaking out in support of an issue or speaking out in favor of your faith, the song is an anthem to take action…positive action of course.

I am very guilty of not speaking up and giving my opinion.  I see what goes on with social media and how everyone gets attacked for speaking out against any little thing or for posting a picture that is completely harmless, but social media tears the person apart.

However, i just sit back and don’t speak out against any of that…why?  Well, mostly I don’t want to get attacked or I don’t want to say something that will be misconstrued and I end of getting fired at work for some strange reason.  Now, don’t get me wrong, if there is something terrible going wrong with something I see in public or happening to my kids, I will speak out.  I am talking about social media.  I purposely don’t comment on a lot of the controversial posts for this reason.

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