Letting Life Count

“Cause we got the fire, fire, fire.” Ellie Goulding is a young English singer/songwriter who is known for her distinct voice amongst today’s pop vocalists. Ellie Goulding’s music does not sound like your run of the mill pop sound. Her music encompasses different styles like indie pop and electronic with a more edgy sound to it. The song “Burn” is one of Ellie Goulding’s most recent and most popular song today and it may be because of the bright message this song portrays.

We live in a society where it’s all about the here and now. The view is to do whatever makes you happy because, after all, we live today but may die tomorrow. Therefore, like the ancient saying goes, “eat, drink, and be merry.” Is this the view we should let control the decisions we make for our lives?  I would argue no, not at all.

Life is what you make it. In this song, Ellie and her friends are happy because they are living one day to the next with no thought of their future in mind.  Ellie sings, “We don't wanna leave, no. We just wanna be right now.” They realize, because given one life, to make it count. This perspective creates a spark in them to let go of worries, have fun, and live carefree.

 Time, because they are young, is on their side but eventually, the candle will burn out. Therefore, there is no time to sleep. There is no time to patiently watch your life as it passes you by. I believe the burning fire is a metaphor for ones individual life. There is a spark in the human race and the one thing that unites us is our pursuit for happiness.

While Ellie Goulding’s song “Burn” is catchy and easy on the ears, I think we need to be careful in not letting her distinguishing message permeate our lives. Yes, I agree, we are only given one life so we should make the most of it. I don’t believe making the most of life is done through partying and living carefree.  This unrealistic view may cause confusion because it is not through these things where one finds true and lasting happiness.  We will ultimately be happier individuals when we stop listening to the shallow lies the world so loudly deceives us into thinking will make us happier.

From a Christian perspective, we can shine bright in a dark world through letting the love of Christ be evident in our lives. So, “let it burn.”   

Dear River

The artist and song I am highlighting/analyzing this week may be new for some because it’s not in the mainstream. Kina Grannis started off singing in front of her camera and uploading her videos online. Due to her raw voice and vulnerable lyrics it didn’t take her long to become a Youtube sensation.  The song “Dear River” by the artist Kina Grannis is a meaningful song that has a relevant message for today’s society. Just by listening to the song it may be difficult to understand the real meaning  of what the song is saying because of its subliminal message.

The video is artistically done because it shows a couple in the woods who are immersed in technology instead of enjoying each other’s company and the beauty that surrounds them in the woods. They are trying to capture their time together with their phones but instead of capturing the moment, they lose the moment.

The kids in the video are trying to get the couple’s attention and get their focus off of technology and on each other.   The kids in this music video could metaphorically represent the river. I believe the word “river” means “youth” in the song because the lyrics say, “Everybody knows the river comes, the river goes, but you stopped here.” This is, I believe, referring to our childhood that comes and goes so quickly. It’s important to cherish each moment we have instead of letting it pass us by because we can never get any moment or second back. Kina, at the end of the music video, turns the adults into children by putting crowns on them.  She takes them back to their youth where they can live carefree.

This is a song where you almost have to watch the music video to understand the relevant meaning behind it. The song, “Dear River,” that Kina Grannis sings conveys a deep meaning to live in the moment by not losing yourself in technology. I encourage everyone to watch it.

 

"Take Me to Church"

Hozier is an Irish native artist that has recently sprung up in the music realm. Gaining popularity rather quickly, he is known for his controversial song “Take Me to Church.” Unless you’re living under a rock, it’s impossible to have not heard this song, at least once, on the radio or Television.

The message embedded in the lyrics to this song is an issue that people, what seems like for years, have been struggling and debating with. Hozier, in this song, sings, “We were born sick, you heard them say it.” There is a struggle taking place with Hozier because he is in love with someone of the same sex. He believes, contrary to what Christians says, homosexuality is a natural act. Hozier criticizes Christians who are judgmental towards people who are simply expressing their human nature. He believes the church is undermining the natural feelings of homosexuality. According to him, Christians are not bestowing love and grace towards people are homosexuals but instead “sharpening their knives.”

Hozier, through this song, is encouraging people to accept and be proud of who and what you are regardless of what the critics say about you. It’s interesting to note the song has a gospel feel to it, and yet this song is blatantly bashing the church.

Homosexuality has been a debate in our society for years and the acceptance of homosexuality is growing rapidly. I think, one reason for this, is due to songs that conveys a message of not being afraid of being who you are. 

However, homosexuality, according to God, is wrong and because it is accepted in today’s society doesn’t mean it’s okay. It’s easy, as Christians, to become numb to what is wrong and what is right. It’s not easy living in a society where an issue of morality depends on what you believe. It’s different for every individual because, unfortunately, for many people there is no compass guiding them through the decisions they make in their lives.  Ultimately, God should be our guide in determining whether or not to accept an issue.

It’s sad that many Christians harshly judge someone who is a homosexual. Instead of the church “sharpening their knives,” the church should be ready to combat their wrong with a right by genuinely loving these people.  After all, Christ shows us love even when we least deserve it.  The thing we can count in life is the love of God who stays constant.