Gnarles Barkley

[JohnMichaels]

I’m here to suggest to you that the Gnarles Barkley song “Crazy” has an atheist vs theist undertone to it. The song sings to me a typical argument, retold by the theist.

I’m not trying to start a debate on atheist vs theist, but just seeing if I’m (no pun intended) crazy, or if I have a leg to stand on with the idea being in the lyrics of this song. So here I go

The song starts out with the Theists opinion of what he is being told that is so great about being an atheist.

I remember when, I remember
I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that place
Even your emotions have an echo in so much space

And when you’re out there without care
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn’t because I didn’t know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly

The Theist replies…

And I hope that you are having the time of your life.
But think twice…
That’s my only advice
Come on now, who do you…
who do you, who do you, who do you think you are?
Ha ha ha, bless your soul
You really think you’re in control?!

Well, I think you’re crazy
I think you’re crazy
I think you’re crazy
Just like me*

*Like the atheist says the theist is

The Theist continues…

My heroes had the heart
To lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember
Is thinking, I want to be like them

Vague Jesus reference
Theist continues…

Ever since I was little
Ever since I was little
It looked like fun
And it’s no coincidence I’ve come
And I can die when I’m done

Service of the Lord

Song then ties together that nobody can prove anything (again, the boiling down of the debate, really)

But maybe I’m crazy
Maybe you’re crazy
Maybe we’re crazy
Probably

So what do you think? Philosophically does my interpretation of the song have merit?

 

[Jozefo]

Well, nobody can prove anything, so…

 

[JohnMichaels]

Well, nobody can prove anything, so…

The intent I had when saying that, was to say that when most of these debates take place, each side can still corner the other side with an absence of definitive “proof” at least the way some would view proof.

Touchy I know, I still think the lyrics fit.

 

[seagal]

I think there are theological undertones to the lyrics. Whether that was the writer’s intention is another question. Fr. Robert Barron often reviews movies and music and sees allusions or suggestions to Christ and Christianity, however subtle. (check out his youtube channel youtube.com/playlist?list=PL709134F0ECA43AF7) I would never have seen the allusion to Isaiah in All Along the Watchtower on my own.