When did pop lose its soul?

Is it just me???

Pop music has lost its soul. I was driving to work this morning after a very long stressful week and I needed to hear something that would make me smile.....a feel good CD. I had Simon and Garfunkel in there from awhile back, so I put it in. Instantly I was taken back........I remembered high school English class....we all had to print out a popular song, read it out loud and then discuss the meaning behind the words....the soul of the song.

I must say, that at 14 I was very innocent. The song I chose was "The Boxer," by Simon and Garfunkel. Before I read it aloud, I had to ask my Dad what a whore was. That was the closest they got to a bad word in the song lyrics back then.

I thought it would be interesting to compare the "soul" of pop today, with the "soul" of the pop of yesterday. Here are a few snippets I found that frankly, made me sad for where we are today.....

It doesn’t matter if you love him

Or capital h-i-m

Just put your paws up

‘Cause you were born this way, baby Lady Gaga

I got a dirty mind

I got filthy ways

I’m tryna Bath my Ape in your Milky Way

I’m a legend, I’m irreverent

I be reverend Kanye West

Feels so good being bad

There’s no way I’m turning back

Now the pain is for pleasure

‘Cause nothing can measure

Love is great, love is fine. Rihanna

(These were the ones I could write, the others were too foul)

and yesterday....

When you're weary

Feeling small

When tears are in your eyes

I will dry them all

I'm on your side

When times get rough

And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water

I would lay me down....

I hear the drizzle of the rain

Like a memory it falls

Soft and warm continuing

Tapping on my roof and walls.

And from the shelter of my mind

Through the window of my eyes

I gaze beyond the rain-drenched streets

To England where my heart lies. Simon and Garfunkel

Ah! Poetry and words that touch the heart and soul.

In my opinion, music, like art and comedy should be universal. Something everyone can share and appreciate. It should inspire emotion, deep feeling, sadness, joy, wonder, longing....the full range of emotions. There is so much beauty, goodness, wonder and love in the world.

It makes me wonder what the fallout is going to be for our youth that fill their heads with this stuff......it is no surprise that so many are depressed and hopeless.....

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

I leave you today with an almost prophetic song. To me this is one of the most beautiful pop songs ever written. If you get a few spare moments, pull it up on Itunes or Pandora and listen to it. Think about where we are today, everyone walking around with their heads bent, texting......plugged in, tuned in and tuned out of the world around them. It will produce some chills I guarantee it!

And in the naked light I saw

Ten thousand people, maybe more

People talking without speaking

People hearing without listening

People writing songs that voices never share

And no one dared

Disturb the sound of silence

And a special side note of Congratulations to James and Elizabeth on your wedding day today....I wish you much joy and God's grace to light your way......