Opinion on a Song about Religion?

[catholicjla]

Hello, I’m a 16 year old girl and I don’t really know how to preface this question so I’ll pretty much just get into it. I’m a fan of this band called The 1975, while they have some questionable songs and lyrics I think it is pretty innocent to enjoy their unique sound and music, there is definitely much worse out there today. Anyways their newest album, “I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it” features a song called, “If I Believe You” that talks about the lead singers Religion and struggles with it in his personal life. When I first heard this song I thought it sounded so beautiful and I absolutely loved the jazz notes, and then I thought I heard the mention of “Jesus”, and I froze and looked up the lyrics as it is so unusual to hear any type of Religious themes in pop/alternative music today. When I looked and listened closer I interpreted the song as a call out to God by the singer for help in believing in Him and that the singer who was/still is a disbeliever was starting to question his beliefs. Some of the lyrics are iffy and do make me kind of question if this is song is okay to like but I just can’t get over how I feel the singer is wanting to believe in God and needing help along the way despite some lyrics etc. Nonetheless I would try to find an instrumental version to the song even if I couldn’t listen to the lyrics because I like it that much. But anyways I guess I’m just very interested to see other fellow Believers view on the song and opinion on it because personally I think overall it is the singers call to God and wanted Him to come into his life but maybe I’m just choosing to ignore the bad stuff! Anyways I will link the song and lyrics and I would be very interested to hear some other opinions! Thank you!

Lyrics and Song: genius.com/The-1975-if-i-believe-you-lyrics

 

[GEddie]

I don’t think the lyrics are a problem.

I’ll play the song and see if it changes my answer.

God Bless and ICXC NIKA

 

[Beryllos]

I don’t see anything wrong with the lyrics.

The opening phrase, “I’ve got a God shaped hole,” is interesting because that is one way to express our need for God. We have an empty space within us which only God can fill. We try to fill that hole with other things, like pleasure, wealth, power, and honor, but these things do not fill the void. They do not satisfy our hunger. We have to clear those things out, or set them aside, to make room for God, and then we will be satisfied.

The song says “I thought I’d met you once or twice, but that was just because the dabs were nice and opening up my mind.” This alludes to marijuana and psychedelic drugs as another type of substitute for God. These substances touch a place in our brain that creates an illusion of spirituality and being near God. What happens when the effect of the drug wears off? We become aware of that emptiness again.

The song writer is far from happiness, but he seems to know in which direction he should look to find it. For him, it is not easy, but with God’s help he may find faith, healing, love, and fulfillment. I am praying for him.

 

[GLam8833]

The ending lyrics:
“If I’m lost then how can I find myself”
is repeated over and over for emphasis,
when you realize that you are “lost” you
need a Shepherd. “All we like sheep have
gone astray, we have gone everyone his own
way …” Is. 53. The New Testament answer
to that is that we “… have returned
to the Shepherd… of [our] souls” 1 Pet. 2
The phrasing of the lyrics seems to be
in the form of a STATEMENT, but should
actually be a QUESTION.

 

[Viki63]

personally I think overall it is the singers call to God and wanted Him to come into his life
Lyrics and Song: genius.com/The-1975-if-i-believe-you-lyrics

I think you are right. And we know that if we seek God, it’s really Him seeking us.

The song reminds me of St Augustine’s famous comment: Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” (Augustine, Confessions (Book 1)
Thanks for sharing the music you enjoy.

.

 

[randomuser]

Hello, I’m a 16 year old girl and I don’t really know how to preface this question so I’ll pretty much just get into it. I’m a fan of this band called The 1975,

Didn’t The 1975 “re-brand” themselves a ‘boy band’ a la One Direction? I liked their first album, but when I saw them on SNL a few weeks ago, I my jaw dropped in disbelief at what I could not watch. So, they’re now a ‘boy band’ but they retain the ‘adult’ subject matter of their first album? Everything about them is questionable, not just their song lyrics.

 

[catholicjla]

I don’t see anything wrong with the lyrics.

The opening phrase, “I’ve got a God shaped hole,” is interesting because that is one way to express our need for God. We have an empty space within us which only God can fill. We try to fill that hole with other things, like pleasure, wealth, power, and honor, but these things do not fill the void. They do not satisfy our hunger. We have to clear those things out, or set them aside, to make room for God, and then we will be satisfied.

The song says “I thought I’d met you once or twice, but that was just because the dabs were nice and opening up my mind.” This alludes to marijuana and psychedelic drugs as another type of substitute for God. These substances touch a place in our brain that creates an illusion of spirituality and being near God. What happens when the effect of the drug wears off? We become aware of that emptiness again.

The song writer is far from happiness, but he seems to know in which direction he should look to find it. For him, it is not easy, but with God’s help he may find faith, healing, love, and fulfillment. I am praying for him.

I really liked the points you mentioned in this! I too have been saying prayers for the singer, I hope someday he can come to truly find and accept God into his life!

 

[catholicjla]

I think you are right. And we know that if we seek God, it’s really Him seeking us.

The song reminds me of St Augustine’s famous comment: Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” (Augustine, Confessions (Book 1)
Thanks for sharing the music you enjoy.

.

Thank you for your reply and sharing that comment, I really appreciate it!

 

[catholicjla]

Didn’t The 1975 “re-brand” themselves a ‘boy band’ a la One Direction? I liked their first album, but when I saw them on SNL a few weeks ago, I my jaw dropped in disbelief at what I could not watch. So, they’re now a ‘boy band’ but they retain the ‘adult’ subject matter of their first album? Everything about them is questionable, not just their song lyrics.

Haha funny you mention that because they really have changed their band image, for example they now have pink album covers instead of black and their sound has also changed a bit, but if I had to say I think their fans are still primarily older. Also, that SNL was not a good representation of them at this time in their band, the new album was really refreshing and unique! If you’re still up to it I would recommend giving it a listen! All that being said their first album is still my favourite and was a great collection of music!!