Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Derek Webb

I love Derek Webb. What do you think about this song?

There are rumors that his label felt the song to be too scandalous for release. As he often does, Webb uses some colorful language to make a point.



I agree with Jeff Wright's take on it.

By the way, I think I like the electronica direction Webb is going in. I love the folk stuff, but I think he pulls this off. And the album title--Stockholm Syndrome--if he means what I think he means by that it is one of the greatest titles ever.

3 comments:

Rob Dilfer said...

I was just discussing this with a friend. I read that the song came from a quote from Tony Campolo: http://shanebertou.wordpress.com/2009/05/13/has-derek-webb-crossed-the-line/

I think the controversy was based more on him swearing than on the content, which is not particulary offensive unless misinterpreted. I'm not personally offended by him swearing, but it seems like a ridiculous reason to almost not get his song published.

I really like the new musical style -- he pulls it off well. I hope, though, that there are a few optomistic songs on the album. I've heard 4 songs so far, and it was a bit like drinking lemonade without sugar.

Matt said...

Yes, the infamous Tony Campolo quote. True of so many Christian colleges.

I don't know how I feel about the album not getting published. Part of me feels like that is par for the course for a prophet. It's kind of like Green Day complaining that Wal-Mart won't carry their records because of their explicit lyrics--one of the drawbacks of being rebellious is that the mainstream tries to silence you. If the mainstream accepts you, then you are not a rebel.

Maybe it makes Derek Webb's message all that more powerful that it isn't played on radio stations that are safe for the whole family.

Has he crossed the line with God? No way. Has he crossed the line with American evangelicalism? Maybe. But prophets have to cross those kinds of lines.

Great point about the lemonade! He can be a little over-the-top. For me, She Must and Shall Go Free was in the "life-changing" category for albums. His other two have flashes of brilliance ("I Repent," "T-shirts," "A New Law"), but also a lot of mediocrity.

Matt said...

We should have been ready for this.

"Well I can always tell a liar
And I always know a thief.
Well I know 'em like my family
Because brother, I'm the chief.

And I'm a dangerous crusader
'Cause I need to tell the truth.
So I'm turning over tables
In my own living room.

And I might nail indictments up on every door in town
'Cause it's not right or safe to let your conscience down.

So I don't care if
Nobody loves me
Nobody loves me
Nobody loves me but you.

The truth is never sexy
So it's not an easy sell.
You can dress her like the culture
And she'll shock 'em just as well.

And she don't need an apology for being who she is,
And she don't need your help making enemies.

So I don't care if
Nobody loves me
Nobody loves me
Nobody loves me but you.

So I'll do whatever it takes to squeeze us into this wedding gown.
I'll say words that rattle your nerves: words like 'sin' and 'faith alone.'

Nobody loves me
Nobody loves me
Nobody loves me but you."

"Nobody Loves Me" by Derek Webb from She Must and Shall go Free