I blogged about this song (agreeing with it) last week and I got flooded with responses – online and off. (I have it posted in three different locations, which didn’t help – ha!)
A couple of things: Poor Derek Webb got a lot of flack for this, especially for saying “shit,” which is stupid. He had to put an explicit label on his album because of it. But I wouldn’t have bought Stockholm Syndrome if I hadn’t heard of all the crazy commentary. (So I guess it worked out in his favor.)
Secondly, I think the people who get mad over this song are those who are offended by it. That makes me happy. (Kind of.) The people Jesus upset were the Pharisees, not the sinners.
I adore this song. I’ve been a fan of Derek Webb since “Mockingbird,” and I’m glad he pushes the boundaries and challenges people to go beyond where they normally sit in the average American church. He’s like David Bazan minus the confusing agnosticism.
That said, I don’t necessarily think “What Matters More” is the most provocative song on the album. If you get a chance, listen to either “Heaven” or “What You Give Up to Get It.” The challenge to how we treat the poor and how we think about our lives as consumers should scare the church more than a challenge to our political stance (or lack thereof) on homosexuality. There are deeper problems with the church that Webb identifies in those songs. Sample lyric (from “what you give up to get it”): “Like style made by slaves / like bribes to throw the race / like women who know their place / like an Indian casino and a tank of unleaded, / oh it’s never quite worth what you give up to get it.”
I reviewed this album for a site. Gave it five-stars, out a possible five. Is it brilliant? Most assuredly.
Needless to say I also got flooded with mail. Some of it was kind, courteous, and complimentary. The rest of it was unintelligent, angry, and filled with bible verses. I got reminded that “Christians don’t curse!” (which, of course, isn’t what Webb was doing here) and several just wanted me to know they were “praying for” me. Which is hysterical, considering I didn’t even write the friggin’ song.
I agree with @Dianna. The rest of the album seems to be more fit for controversy than any one idea on “What Matters More.” Although apparently we’re among the few who see things that way. Don’t you think the guy who wrote 90 Minutes in Heaven would be offended that his experiences apparently serve as the basis for Webb’s song “Heaven,” and not in a good way? Instead, we’re still stuck on the gay thing. Why is it always the gay thing?
I blogged about this song (agreeing with it) last week and I got flooded with responses – online and off. (I have it posted in three different locations, which didn’t help – ha!)
A couple of things: Poor Derek Webb got a lot of flack for this, especially for saying “shit,” which is stupid. He had to put an explicit label on his album because of it. But I wouldn’t have bought Stockholm Syndrome if I hadn’t heard of all the crazy commentary. (So I guess it worked out in his favor.)
Secondly, I think the people who get mad over this song are those who are offended by it. That makes me happy. (Kind of.) The people Jesus upset were the Pharisees, not the sinners.
// http://broken-downpoetry.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-matters-more.html //
I adore this song. I’ve been a fan of Derek Webb since “Mockingbird,” and I’m glad he pushes the boundaries and challenges people to go beyond where they normally sit in the average American church. He’s like David Bazan minus the confusing agnosticism.
That said, I don’t necessarily think “What Matters More” is the most provocative song on the album. If you get a chance, listen to either “Heaven” or “What You Give Up to Get It.” The challenge to how we treat the poor and how we think about our lives as consumers should scare the church more than a challenge to our political stance (or lack thereof) on homosexuality. There are deeper problems with the church that Webb identifies in those songs. Sample lyric (from “what you give up to get it”): “Like style made by slaves / like bribes to throw the race / like women who know their place / like an Indian casino and a tank of unleaded, / oh it’s never quite worth what you give up to get it.”
The entire album is genius.
I reviewed this album for a site. Gave it five-stars, out a possible five. Is it brilliant? Most assuredly.
Needless to say I also got flooded with mail. Some of it was kind, courteous, and complimentary. The rest of it was unintelligent, angry, and filled with bible verses. I got reminded that “Christians don’t curse!” (which, of course, isn’t what Webb was doing here) and several just wanted me to know they were “praying for” me. Which is hysterical, considering I didn’t even write the friggin’ song.
I agree with @Dianna. The rest of the album seems to be more fit for controversy than any one idea on “What Matters More.” Although apparently we’re among the few who see things that way. Don’t you think the guy who wrote 90 Minutes in Heaven would be offended that his experiences apparently serve as the basis for Webb’s song “Heaven,” and not in a good way? Instead, we’re still stuck on the gay thing. Why is it always the gay thing?