Why We Write New Songs
January 2nd, 2006 by Dan Price | Posted in Song Writing
Instead of posting in writing, I’m just linking to an audio interview at the Daily Jeezit. Basically my pastor Noel interviews me on my thoughts about corporate worship.
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Great thoughts Dan. I also call it “singing time” (or music time…). I am also quick to correct people on our production team and pastoral staff to call it “the music” rather than “the worship” or “music time” rather than “worship time”. It is an EXTREMELY important (i feel) distinction.
“Depressing worship”
I write this stuff too – concepts found all throughout the Psalms. Starting with the reality that life hurts and we don’t feel right – and moving toward a resolution of trust in God. Sort of a “though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him” concept. God didn’t shy away from including books like Job, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes in His Word – so why should we?
I’d like to ask this – anyone reading, feel free to respond – how do you find balance between a good pop song (easily learnable, singable, etc) and a good song that’s not so “pop” sounding? You could argue that our generation is more inclined to enjoy a more complex song than previous generations, but then you leave out those that identify mainly with the pop songs. When leading corporate worship, should the taste of the masses dictate the style of song you choose?
Good question Travis. I don’t think theres a universal answer there because it depends on who your congregation is and how you are wired, and how you are pastoring them. I think it is more important to be playing and singing really good songs than just playing a song because it is or isn’t pop. For me there is a balence because as worship leader we are both serving God and his people. At the same time we will never play music that connects perfectly with everybody. So finding a balence, even in varying styles is important.
Our average age at Riverview is 24 years old and so we do have a very young feel to things, and I think they really appreciate the complexity of some of the newer songs. At the same time to olders always give me a slap on the back when I’m playing bluesy stuff. We are actually introducing a folk band w/mandolin and slide guitar, because we’ve found some really good musicians who do that. You could get out of control with trying to please everybody, and that’s not good. I’m not going to be up there rapping or chanting anytime soon, that’s just not me.
But I guess my main thing is that we have swung way too far into writing songs that have the simplist melodies and the four chord G-D-Em-C structures, that we need to raise the bar and let some of our worship take artistic form. We have been just following the lead of all the big names in worship out there, which is good (esp Crowder’s new one), I think they’ve given us great songs, but so many churches have stopped creating their own music, they just play whatever is popular on xian radio. Instead, experiment. Find new ways to praise God.
So basically what you’re saying is this:
“Sing to him a NEW song; play SKILLFULLY, and shout for joy.” – Psalm 33:3 (NIV)
Or even better, the King James version: “Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.”
exactly. Great verse!
But I can only play a G, D, Em, and C. What am I to do?
Actually Noel, you bring up a good point. I see a lot of benefit in the songs being simpler to play, because often times, churches don’t have access to skilled musicians. Ususally they only have beginners or less skilled players on hand. Thus, the three or four chord songs are easy to pick up.
We are really blessed in our churches to have an abundance of skilled musicians.