Music has always been a huge part of my life on some level or another. I remember a time when I was very young, probably around 5 years old when one night, I was with my dad listening to his old records and the very first songs I recall him playing on his 45 were the old songs like "Charlie Brown" by the Coasters and "Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley. (Disclosure: I had to look up who sang those songs. Thank goodness for Google). I will always associate those songs and "Puff The Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul, and Mary with happier, innocent times of my very young life. They are corny songs now and I am sure the generation of today would be baffled that such songs existed and were actually popular. As time passed by, my dad would play songs like "Refugee" by Tom Petty and "Another One Bites The Dust" by Queen as well as "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon which happened to be the last song I remember him playing before my life seemed to spiral down into a pit. I associate those songs with the rough part of my life when my parents split up. The next song that stuck with me was "Yesterday" by the Beatles. That was probably the saddest part of my life since my mom played that song almost non-stop during the separation.
As I think back about these early childhood songs, it amazes me about how they relate to the ups and downs of my early life. The first three songs I mentioned had happier beats to them and are still beloved songs that I have introduced my sons to via the wonder known as YouTube. During the rough part of my life, the songs were grittier and angrier. "Yesterday" is probably the saddest song I have ever heard and I can't listen to it without crying. Later, in my teen years, I was not allowed to listen to any music due to the school I was attending. My mom seemed to have eliminated all music from my life unless it was Beethoven, Mozart, or Tchaikovski. My favorite times to listen to classical music was when there was a good thunderstorm brewing outside. I would play those records and watch the branches on our huge elm tree in the front yard sway as though it was the conductor to my private symphony.
Even though my mom banned me from listening to the radio, I was very rebellious and found ways to listen to it without her knowing. I even got brave and would sneak a Walkman radio to school with me and listen to it when I was supposed to be listening to the French language tapes during foreign language class. I never got caught. If I had, I might have been expelled...I don't really know. My musical interest at the time was referred to as "soft rock". I loved Huey Lewis and Madonna while the rest of the world seemed to love Michael Jackson. The music of my '80s were fun and upbeat. Not a care in the world. For the most part, the music reflected my attitude. I loved Billy Joel, the Cars, and Peter Gabriel among many other music talents.
My best friend at the time was really into The Monkees, so due to her influence, I now know more Monkees songs than I care to admit. We were HUGE Monkees fans even though they were before our time. At that time, we would sigh and claim we were born too late. She loved Mickey Dolenz and I obviously loved Davy Jones. I know...typical.
My musical taste has since evolved to Christian music. For me, Christian music has had a very huge impact in my life that greatly overshadows all of the secular music I claimed to love. When people think of Christian music, they immediately associate it with the songs in the dusty hymnals in a church. While that is true, these days, Christian music stretches beyond the traditional Gospel choirs and Sunday music. We have wonderful artists such as Toby Mac who delivers impactful messages through his music. One of the songs I mention quite often to my boys is "Speak Life" which has an awesome theme of how we should use our words to inspire and build up those around us.
My particular taste has taken a turn for the edgier side of Christian rock due to circumstances in my life which inspire me to be strong and fight back. Music artists such as Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch, We As Human, and Scott Stapp dominates my playlist due to their styles and their messages. Most traditional Christians I know would probably shake their head in disappointment at my preference and claim that it is not glorifying to God. Just because they throw in Jesus' name in the lyrics, it does not make it Christian music. I would have to agree with them on that point. There are some songs out there that are indeed as they claim. God gave us this powerful medium known as music for His glory. In fact, Lucifer, before he became Satan, glorified God with his beautiful music talent that God blessed him with.
It is not defined exactly in the Bible what type of music is bad and what is correct and proper. Men have defined that. My "go to" verse at this point for determining if something is "acceptable" is found in Philippians 4:8 of the King James Bible which reads "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things."
So, don't go by what other people have defined as acceptable; judge it for yourself based on the Bible verse I mentioned. Does the music you listen to inspire loveliness, honesty, truth? Is it just and of good report? If the answer is yes, then it is glorifying to God no matter what genre it falls under or how edgy the beat may be.
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