Praise "Music"

[Rahn]

I think it is a matter of taste. I like groups like Casting Crowns and Third Day because their songs often have weighty messages and help me think and pray my faith. But, I don’t particularly consider them “praise” music.

I would say that the traits in a “praise” song are catchy melody and few lyrics, repeated over and over. I do have some songs like that on my playlist. I find that they help me meditate, similar to saying the rosary.

If it’s to the glory of God, I think it is good. Whether everyone likes it, or should like it, is another matter.

 

[Usige]

Rahn, I think you hit on what causes some people to disdain praise music when you say “catchy melody and few lyrics, repeated over and over.” Some people like the catchy pop melodies, but for others it’s just an ear virus that you can’t get rid of even with a drill or blow torch.

It’s not obvious which camp I’m in is it?

 

[anruari]

you could try some of the music by Ronan Johnston:

A lot of his stuff is no longer avaialble - as it was mostly fairly low volume productin runs.

rojomusic.com/

His music comes from a Praise & Worship (charismatic) background, but it musically & lyrically excellent. His recent albums are a mix of music which is intended to be listened to, and praise / worship music and liturgical music.

There are links from his website to sites that allow you to listen to some of the music first.

 

[Cat]

**Greatful Dead or The Monkees? **
Depends on the situation. I don’t mind Grateful Dead when I am in the mood to listen to rock music, but we don’t actually own any Dead albums. When we were growing up, this group was strongly discouraged by our evangelical Protestant churches, mainly because of the involvement of the band’s members in the drug scene. So probably some of my childhood upbringing is in the back of my mind. My husband and I own several Monkees LPs–as children, we watched their show on TV and loved it. To my knowledge, none of the Monkees have died of drug-abuse related problems. Also, to my knowledge, all of the Monkees are still involved in the music industry, although not as teenybopper idols. I think they are under-estimated–very good musicians, although certainly not break-through artists like Jerry Garcia and company.

The Allman Bros or The Carpenters?

The Allman Brothers. I strongly dislike the Carpenters super-sweet music (it permeated my high school years, and every prom I attended was named after a Carpenters song), although I most certainly respect Karen Carpenter’s beautiful voice and Richard Carpenter’s songs and studio skills. My husband is a Carpenters fanatic, owns every album, had pictures up in his bedroom growing up, and considers Karen Carpenter one of the greatest vocalists in history. (He also likes Neil Diamond, John Tesh, and John Denver, while I don’t really care for any of these artists’ music.)

The Cars or Debbie Gibson?

I don’t know anything about either of these groups. I couldn’t name any of their songs, and I wouldn’t recognize pictures of them. Sorry.

Pink Floyd or Air Supply?

Same answer. I’ve at least heard of them, but know nothing.

Waylon Jennings or Glenn Campbell?

Both. Love them both! I heard Glen Campbell the other night on Leno–what a tragedy that he has Alzheimer’s–God bless him for continuing to sing as long as he can. And Waylon Jennings has always been one of my favorites. I love that whole “Outlaw” movement in country music.

**Hank Williams, Sr or the Everly Bros? **

Both. Love them both!

Peter Tosh or UB40?

Never heard of either of them.

Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi?

Bon Jovi. But I don’t mind Springsteen. I would just prefer Bon Jovi. Jon Bon Jovi is smokin’ hot–a real cutie, and I love some of the charitable projects that he’s been involved with.

You see, you just can’t put people in boxes and wrap them up and label them. I have extremely eclectic tastes–I absolutely adore Adam Lambert. But I also absolutely adore Susan Boyle. I love K.D. Lang–one of my top favorites of all time and we own every album and I would love to see her in person! But I also love Sandi Patty and I’ve seen her in person several times–I think she’s brilliant. She is considered one of the best of Christian praise artists, BTW–I hope you will listen to some of her work on YouTube. I can’t see how you would consider her music inferior or trivial.

Like I said, it depends on a person’s life and circumstances. One of my all-time favorite musicians is Johnny Cash. I have loved him since I was a child and he sang “Ghost Riders in the Sky”–a classic Western story song that has great appeal to children. I grew up watching his great variety show on TV. I recall clearly when he professed his Christianity in public, and I watched his appearances at Billy Graham Crusades many times. I went to see him and June Carter Cash at several country fairs out in farm country. I still get tears in my eyes when I remember him and June (and Willie Nelson) singing at the re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty. I loved him and June on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. And I went to see Walk The Line (mainly because my favorite actor, Robert Patrick, is in it).

He’s been part of my life forever, and that’s probably one reason I like him. He’s like a relative.

Johnny Cash, IMO, breaks all the rules of music. He is one of the musicians honored with a place in both the Rock Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. He didn’t shy away from any kind of music, but tried so many styles, always remaining true to his self.

One of my current loves is Sting–he does the same thing Johnny Cash does–all kinds of music. He doesn’t fit into any mold.

So perhaps that’s my “music personality”–I like musicians who stretch themselves and don’t get pigeon-holed into doing just one style or genre. That’s one reason I like Renee Fleming–yes, she’s an opera singer, but she also sings pop and jazz. I’m also a big Liberace fan–he is the absolute epitome of the flexible musician. He played everything, from classical music to Beer Barrel Polka to the rock music of his time, and he sang, danced, joked, and lived an unapologetic flamboyant life. I loved him!

I think people, especially Christians, should be careful about denouncing ANY genre of music or any artist. It’s certainly fine to have personal preferences, and to express why you like or dislike certain music. But to utterly condemn any music or musicians is not conducive to living in peace and harmony, IMO.

 

[zab]

Any thoughts as to why Christians seem incapable of producing good popular music?

Peace,

Thomas Anthony Dorsey wrote many good Gospel songs and they were recorded by famous artists including Elvis, Anne Murray, The Dixie Hummingbirds and others. Some of Thomas Dorsey’s songs recorded by others are:
Peace in the Valley,
Take My Hand Precious Lord,
If you See my Savior (Bedside of a Neighbor)

Other great Christian songs:
Lean On Me
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
The Old Rugged Cross
I Come to the Garden Alone
On the Wings of a Dove

 

[Cat]

I would like to point out something about Praise and Worship music.

Much of the P and W music is indeed, very simplistic, with a chorus that is repeated over and over, sometimes dozens of times.

I can understand why someone would dislike this kind of music.

**But we have to remember the purpose of this music. It was not meant to be sung in a concert or on an album. It is meant to be used during the Praise and Worship times of evangelical Protestant church worship services. It is meant to be a prayer, allowing the Christian to express his/her deep feelings of love and awe for the Lord. **

It is very similiar to the types of prayers that Catholics pray, e.g., the Rosary. Repetition has been a part of Catholic prayers for centuries. So we really shouldn’t criticize non-Catholic Christians for using repetition in their prayers and prayer songs.

In the worship services, Christians will sing P and W songs for several minutes, usually around twenty minutes.

(My husband and I used to call this time the Twenty Minute Worship Workout–it is generally done standing, and we always used to think that they should add various aerobic dance moves so that we could praise the Lord and get in a fitness workout at the same time!).

They will stand and sing these P and W songs, often closing their eyes and/or raising their hands. Usually the lights will be dimmed, and the musicians will be very subdued in their playing. The vocalists will lead the singing, and sometimes they will ad-lib and do some kind of melisma, during which the congregation usually stops singing and just listens. Sometimes the congregation will continue singing in harmony to the melisma, BTW.

It’s all very spontaneous, although if you participate in P and W times week after week, you will see that there are patterns–a “liturgy” of sort." But to a newcomer, it all seems very spontaneous, and many find this refreshing compared to the very staid and structured liturgy that they are used to.

During the P and W time, Christians will strive to block out all distractions and think only of the Lord Jesus.

(In case you’re wondering, most Protestants worship services offer nursery care, and it is part of Protestant culture for parents to make use of this nursery. It is unusual for Protestant parents to bring babies or small children into a worship service, although sometimes moms will carry a nursing infant. So generally speaking, parents are free to concentrate totally on worshipping God, and don’t have to deal with little ones in the pews.)

The simplicity of the P and W songs helps the Christian to not only sing, but also to meditate and contemplate various attributes of Christ, and to express their thanks to God for all that He is and does. Again, this is very much like the Rosary, during which we recite the Aves, but at the same time meditate on the Mysteries of Christ’s life, and often, at the same time, express our own intentions to the Lord.

I think that all too often, we have problems with Christian music when it is used inappropriately. I agree, listening to P and W songs on the radio would be uber-annoying, because it’s not the proper setting. These songs are meant to be done LIVE, in a congregation, surrounded by other Christians. with live music provided usually by a volunteer boomer band. We generally know all the people that we are standing next to, and we usually like and trust them.

BUT…we have to realize and sympathize that many Christians who are shut-ins or ill don’t have the opportunity to attend worship services, so for them, it is a blessing when they hear these songs on the radio or on an album, and can worship God privately, using these songs to help them focus on Christ. They know that even though they are physically alone, that they are still part of the great Church of Jesus Christ, and that somewhere in the world, other Christians are praising the Lord at the same time they are praising the Lord. (Just like we all know that Mass is celebrated constantly, all around the world.)

My mother used to do this while she was alive. She would receive cassette tapes of the worship services, and she would enjoy singing along with the P and W time and worshipping, even though she was absent from the actual service.

Up until recently, our parish offered a Life Teen Mass, and often, these types of songs were used, although most of the Life Teen songs were/are specifically written for Life Teen Masses. I found it interesting to hear P and W songs in the context of the Mass. I felt that the songs were being misused, because the people had no concept of a spontaneous Praise and Worship time. The Mass really doesn’t have a “P and W time” built in; in fact, the entire Mass is a prayer and praise time. So I’m not sure that I think these songs are appropriate for a Mass.

However, I think they would be very appropriate for Catholic Youth Group meetings, Bible studies, retreats, camps, etc.

I hope this information is useful.

 

[Cat]

One of the best P and W songs ever written, IMO, was “Our God is an Awesome God.” A lot of Catholics blast this song and claim that it is totally inappropriate for Mass. They are probably right, although whenever I play it as a postlude (piano), I get people surrounding the piano to sing along, and they tell me how much they love that song!

But again, we have to realize that Mullins did not write this song to be performed as a solo or as a congregational hymn. It is a P and W song, a very good one. The congregation generally doesn’t join in with the verses–the P and W song leader or group sings the verses and adlibs the music, adding all kinds of thrilling “rock” improvisations to help express the grandeur of God and uplift the congregation to the heavenly places. Then the congregation will join in on the simple chorus, which will be repeated over and over, dozens of times. During the chorus repeats, each Christian will praise the Lord in their spirit, each praying their own personal prayers and praises.

This is pure Protestant Praise and Worship–exuberant, exhiliarating, emotional. I personally don’t care much for it, but I appreciate that others DO like it, and find it useful in deepening their faith and helping them draw closer to the Lord Jesus.

 

[Garyjohn2]

Wasn’t Creed like a “secret” Christian band? Their music was pretty good, though not overtly Christian on most of their songs. That’s just one band though.

 

[4Squarebaby]

It would be nice every now and then to be able to listen to music (not necessarily hymns or chant) with a Christian theme that was actually worth listening to. Some of my friends play praise “music” in their cars, and some restaurants play the stuff on Sundays. I’ve tried (honest) to listen to praise or contemporary Christian “music” myself on occasion. I put quotation marks around the word “music” for a reason. Technically, I suppose, the stuff is music. But, 99% of it that I’ve listened to is really gag inducingly bad.

Admittedly, the other 1% is good. The Doobie Brothers did a good cover of “Jesus is Just Alright” back in the day. Joan Baez has done some good gospel covers. Elvis (obviously) had some excellent gospel albums. Los Lobos has some good Christian themed stuff. So does Dylan. Some religious Bluegrass tunes are well done. Even some Grateful Dead songs while not being explicitly religious can be Baptized. Other than these notable exceptions (1% or so of what’s out there) Christian themed popular music is just horrible. I mean really REALLY bad.

Why do the Rastafarians get to have Bob Marley, while we have to suffer through this garbage?

Any thoughts as to why Christians seem incapable of producing good popular music?

Peace,

I was under the impression that while Bob Marley may have been a Rastafarian, reggae was not “religious music” any more then the spiritual themed music of any other mostly secular artist. Rastafarian’s would chant to drummers. And you did already mention secular, but Christian if not “Christian artist” who pass your test

In any case I hear this complaint thrown at any genre of music, from jazz “snobs” talking about smooth jazz on the radio. Funk snobs saying you should listen to real funk and not Parliment/Funkadelic. People saying such and such a group is not real metal…

I would like to point out something about Praise and Worship music.

Much of the P and W music is indeed, very simplistic, with a chorus that is repeated over and over, sometimes dozens of times.

I can understand why someone would dislike this kind of music.

**But we have to remember the purpose of this music. It was not meant to be sung in a concert or on an album. It is meant to be used during the Praise and Worship times of evangelical Protestant church worship services. It is meant to be a prayer, allowing the Christian to express his/her deep feelings of love and awe for the Lord. **

It is very similiar to the types of prayers that Catholics pray, e.g., the Rosary. Repetition has been a part of Catholic prayers for centuries. So we really shouldn’t criticize non-Catholic Christians for using repetition in their prayers and prayer songs.

In the worship services, Christians will sing P and W songs for several minutes, usually around twenty minutes…

They will stand and sing these P and W songs, often closing their eyes and/or raising their hands. Usually the lights will be dimmed, and the musicians will be very subdued in their playing. The vocalists will lead the singing, and sometimes they will ad-lib and do some kind of melisma, during which the congregation usually stops singing and just listens. Sometimes the congregation will continue singing in harmony to the melisma, BTW.

It’s all very spontaneous, although if you participate in P and W times week after week, you will see that there are patterns–a “liturgy” of sort." But to a newcomer, it all seems very spontaneous, and many find this refreshing compared to the very staid and structured liturgy that they are used to.

During the P and W time, Christians will strive to block out all distractions and think only of the Lord Jesus. …

The simplicity of the P and W songs helps the Christian to not only sing, but also to meditate and contemplate various attributes of Christ, and to express their thanks to God for all that He is and does. Again, this is very much like the Rosary, during which we recite the Aves, but at the same time meditate on the Mysteries of Christ’s life, and often, at the same time, express our own intentions to the Lord.

I think that all too often, we have problems with Christian music when it is used inappropriately. I agree, listening to P and W songs on the radio would be uber-annoying, because it’s not the proper setting. These songs are meant to be done LIVE, in a congregation, surrounded by other Christians. with live music provided usually by a volunteer boomer band. We generally know all the people that we are standing next to, and we usually like and trust them.

BUT…we have to realize and sympathize that many Christians who are shut-ins or ill don’t have the opportunity to attend worship services, so for them, it is a blessing when they hear these songs on the radio or on an album, and can worship God privately, using these songs to help them focus on Christ. They know that even though they are physically alone, that they are still part of the great Church of Jesus Christ, and that somewhere in the world, other Christians are praising the Lord at the same time they are praising the Lord. (Just like we all know that Mass is celebrated constantly, all around the world.)

My mother used to do this while she was alive. She would receive cassette tapes of the worship services, and she would enjoy singing along with the P and W time and worshipping, even though she was absent from the actual service. …

I hope this information is useful.

Perhaps Christian music stations should not put on Jesus Culture playing I Exalt Thee for nine minutes? But then like you are saying the intent from the start was different from a secular radio station airing Bob Marley performing Redemption Song

 

[I_Thirst]

I think that all too often, we have problems with Christian music when it is used inappropriately. …] These songs are meant to be done LIVE, in a congregation …]

Exactly, Cat. I think your insight outlines something essential about P&W music. It has a liturgical function in certain Protestant churches, but not in Catholic ones.

There are so many songs in our Catholic hymnals that are good Christian songs, but at the same time they are bad songs for our Catholic liturgy. And often we use good songs but in inappropriate ways.

You know the game, “The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” where one can relate almost anything to Kevin Bacon within six steps. I often feel that hymns at Mass can be more quickly related back to Kevin Bacon before they can be related to anything in the Gospel reading, or the Communion antiphon (that is supplied by the Church and that we are supposed to have read/sung at Mass), or anything in any of the readings, etc.

btw, your insights to this music are solid. If only your awareness and acumen were present among our Catholic choir directors. Your example of “Our God Is An Awesome God” really illustrates your point effectively. It helps me to more clearly understand P&W.

 

[Newbie2]

Gregorian Chant.

 

[I_Thirst]

Gregorian Chant.

Taizé is probably closer in spirit to P&W.

 

[Joe_5859]

I would like to point out something about Praise and Worship music.

Much of the P and W music is indeed, very simplistic, with a chorus that is repeated over and over, sometimes dozens of times.

I can understand why someone would dislike this kind of music.

**But we have to remember the purpose of this music. It was not meant to be sung in a concert or on an album. It is meant to be used during the Praise and Worship times of evangelical Protestant church worship services. It is meant to be a prayer, allowing the Christian to express his/her deep feelings of love and awe for the Lord. **

I think that’s a very important point. The purpose of P&W music is altogether different from both liturgical music and popular music. It’s not usually something that fits during Mass, and it’s not something that generally fits with playing in the car while driving over to Walmart.

I think that it can be done in concert, but then the concert becomes more like a P&W session than a regular concert.

I can always count on you, Cat, to help ground me when I’m veering off into musical elitism.

I would never condemn someone for their musical tastes. My own tastes in music are quite idiosyncratic, so it would be a real “pot-to-kettle” moment if I started engaging in such an activity.

Though musical tastes are often quite subjective, I do think there is an objective element as well (as with any art). I think Beethoven’s Fifth is objectively more beautiful than some three chord one-hit wonder. But of course that doesn’t mean that each individual person is going to like listening to Beethoven more.

Maybe it’s because I took too many poetry classes, but I have an aversion to hearing the “Dove of Love from Above” types of rhyming schemes. It just seems too easy. If it seems like I could have written the lyrics myself in less time than it takes to listen to the song, I find a difficult time connecting with it.

But then, even I make exceptions to my own rule. I’m working on the whole consistency thing.

 

[anruari]

Taizé is probably closer in spirit to P&W.

I agree. I find it a beautiful hybrid of the two genre’s

I grew up with a lot of exposure to the Charismatic community. I personally find many “traditional” hyms as found in the normal hymnal can be poorly linked to the mass, and when sung by the average choir they can be dull, and totally out of keeping with the instructions the bible gives us for how to Sing to the Lord.
We have all heard choirs singing songs with the theme of joyously singing praise to the Lord, but if you did not listen to the words you would better interpret the song as a Requiem or other Lament.
In many cases it’s the rendition rather than the actual tune… but it’s very much the culture as well.

Any genre of music can be sung BADLY, or innapropriately. (and Folk groups & Prais & Worship “music ministries” are no exception to this.)

However: *many *genres of music can be sung Skillfully, and reverently to the Lord. - The requirement is that the music is written for use in Church. (Secular songs are expressly prohibited. As are heretical hymns written to express non orthodox theology. Most traditional Hymn books contain some of these (inadvertently I’ll admit))

As others have said, it is important to ensure that the choice of what Hymn is sung at any point in the Mass is appropriate to the time of the Mass and to the themes within that specific Mass.

The use of Praise songs may be appropriate, depending on the culture of the congregation Before Mass, at the Entrance Procession, and at the Recessional. Sometimes it may be appropriate to have an extended P&W session after mass.

The use of worship songs may have a valid use for a brief period at the raising of the Host: especially the singing of the chorus of Adesti Fideles: “Venite Adoremus” in Latin or the vernacular, while the Host and then the Chalice containing the Precious Blood is elevated. - This is a good example of linking P&W style prayer to a beloved hymn of ancient origin at an appropriate time in the mass. It is most appropriate at the Vigils and then through Christmastide and Eastertide.

The Great Amen immediately after the Doxology (Through Him With Him…) can certainly be appropriately sung in a P&W style… - With the mood of the music suitable to the season.
This is the Amen to the Entire Consecration & the Eucharistic prayer. There’s a particular Amen in a Gospel style that I love, which can again be appropriate in the Festive seasons of Christmas and Easter.

Some hymns from these genres can be appropriately sung as Offertory hymns, Communion Hyms, or Communion Reflections (music from Taize can work particularly well here)

The styles of music used in P&W have been successfully used to produce new settings for a small number of Psalms which can be used as the Responsorial Psalm - when they adequately match the rubrics for the psalm in the mass.

 

[Cat]

I agree. I find it a beautiful hybrid of the two genre’s

I grew up with a lot of exposure to the Charismatic community. I personally find many “traditional” hyms as found in the normal hymnal can be poorly linked to the mass, and when sung by the average choir they can be dull, and totally out of keeping with the instructions the bible gives us for how to Sing to the Lord.
We have all heard choirs singing songs with the theme of joyously singing praise to the Lord, but if you did not listen to the words you would better interpret the song as a Requiem or other Lament.
In many cases it’s the rendition rather than the actual tune… but it’s very much the culture as well.

Any genre of music can be sung BADLY, or innapropriately. (and Folk groups & Prais & Worship “music ministries” are no exception to this.)

However: *many *genres of music can be sung Skillfully, and reverently to the Lord. - The requirement is that the music is written for use in Church. (Secular songs are expressly prohibited. As are heretical hymns written to express non orthodox theology. Most traditional Hymn books contain some of these (inadvertently I’ll admit))

As others have said, it is important to ensure that the choice of what Hymn is sung at any point in the Mass is appropriate to the time of the Mass and to the themes within that specific Mass.

The use of Praise songs may be appropriate, depending on the culture of the congregation Before Mass, at the Entrance Procession, and at the Recessional. Sometimes it may be appropriate to have an extended P&W session after mass.

The use of worship songs may have a valid use for a brief period at the raising of the Host: especially the singing of the chorus of Adesti Fideles: “Venite Adoremus” in Latin or the vernacular, while the Host and then the Chalice containing the Precious Blood is elevated. - This is a good example of linking P&W style prayer to a beloved hymn of ancient origin at an appropriate time in the mass. It is most appropriate at the Vigils and then through Christmastide and Eastertide.

The Great Amen immediately after the Doxology (Through Him With Him…) can certainly be appropriately sung in a P&W style… - With the mood of the music suitable to the season.
This is the Amen to the Entire Consecration & the Eucharistic prayer. There’s a particular Amen in a Gospel style that I love, which can again be appropriate in the Festive seasons of Christmas and Easter.

Some hymns from these genres can be appropriately sung as Offertory hymns, Communion Hyms, or Communion Reflections (music from Taize can work particularly well here)

The styles of music used in P&W have been successfully used to produce new settings for a small number of Psalms which can be used as the Responsorial Psalm - when they adequately match the rubrics for the psalm in the mass.

This is an interesting and educational post. Thank you.

I think that the concept of music “written for CHURCH” is one worth considering and talking about.

I started taking pipe organ lessons in July. Although I’m an excellent pianist, I’m pretty bad at pipe organ–the pedals have me flummoxed!

My teacher has a Master’s Degree and many years of experience in the Lutheran Church.

A few weeks ago, I started learning my first hymn–Holy God, We Praise Thy Name. Again, I’m very very bad at it–when I think of all the people on this forum who say that pianists should just sit down and play the pipe organ instead of the piano, I want to scream!

My teacher told me which settings to use (the stops).

As I was practicing yesterday, and the hymn was sounding just a little better, I suddenly realized how very grand it sounded.

Our current church organist is very very good, and makes wise decisions about the registrations.

But I’ve heard other organists in Catholic churches, including ours, who make awful choices. It is possible, through choosing inappropriate settings for hymns, for the pipe organist to totally wreck a great hymn like Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.

If I choose certain stops, I can make that piece sound like a horror movie soundtrack, or a skating rink moonlight skate, or a tent-meeting gospel altar call, or an orchestra of caterwauling cats and hound dogs!

I am very grateful to my teacher and his church music background. I feel that I am learning how to play the pipe organ for CHURCH, and that’s very important to me.

BTW, he is also a gold mine when it comes to knowledge about church music history!

 

[FatHead]

I agree. I find it a beautiful hybrid of the two genre’s

I grew up with a lot of exposure to the Charismatic community. I personally find many “traditional” hyms as found in the normal hymnal can be poorly linked to the mass, and when sung by the average choir they can be dull, and totally out of keeping with the instructions the bible gives us for how to Sing to the Lord. [Great. Not this junk again. When the bible says things like "praise the Lord with XYZ instremunt, go ahead. Praise the lord. BUT DONT DO IT DURING MASS!!! THE BIBLE IS NOT OUR ONLY AUTHORITY. THE CHURCH HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT SACRED MUSIC!!!]
We have all heard choirs singing songs with the theme of joyously singing praise to the Lord, but if you did not listen to the words you would better interpret the song as a Requiem or other Lament.
In many cases it’s the rendition rather than the actual tune… but it’s very much the culture as well.

Any genre of music can be sung BADLY, or innapropriately. (and Folk groups & Prais & Worship “music ministries” are no exception to this.) [one other thing that always bugs me. It’s called a CHOIR or SCHOLA CANTORUM, not a “music ministry”]

However: *many *genres of music can be sung Skillfully, and reverently to the Lord. - The requirement is that the music is written for use in Church. (Secular songs are expressly prohibited. As are heretical hymns written to express non orthodox theology. Most traditional Hymn books contain some of these (inadvertently I’ll admit)) [actually, no. its not required to be written for church. Thats really not much of a requirement. The requirement is that it be SUITABLE for church. The most suitable being chant, then polyphony, then other types of music, in keeping with the styles of sacred music]

As others have said, it is important to ensure that the choice of what Hymn is sung at any point in the Mass is appropriate to the time of the Mass and to the themes within that specific Mass.[actually, in case you didnt know, ideally, you would have chanted propers, not hymns. hymns only replace the propers.]

The use of Praise songs may be appropriate, depending on the culture of the congregation Before Mass, at the Entrance Procession, and at the Recessional. Sometimes it may be appropriate to have an extended P&W session after mass. [says who? chanted propers, or at least traditional hymns are much more appropriate.]

The use of worship songs may have a valid use for a brief period at the raising of the Host: especially the singing of the chorus of Adesti Fideles: “Venite Adoremus” in Latin or the vernacular, while the Host and then the Chalice containing the Precious Blood is elevated. - This is a good example of linking P&W style prayer to a beloved hymn of ancient origin at an appropriate time in the mass. It is most appropriate at the Vigils and then through Christmastide and Eastertide. [WOAH!!! there should never be singing (other than the priest chanting the prayer itself) or music during the eucharistic prayer. ever. E-V-E-R!]

The Great Amen immediately after the Doxology (Through Him With Him…) can certainly be appropriately sung in a P&W style… - With the mood of the music suitable to the season.
This is the Amen to the Entire Consecration & the Eucharistic prayer. There’s a particular Amen in a Gospel style that I love, which can again be appropriate in the Festive seasons of Christmas and Easter. [Seriously? Gospel music in church? terrible]

Some hymns from these genres can be appropriately sung as Offertory hymns, Communion Hyms, or Communion Reflections (music from Taize can work particularly well here)

The styles of music used in P&W have been successfully used to produce new settings for a small number of Psalms which can be used as the Responsorial Psalm - when they adequately match the rubrics for the psalm in the mass.

 

[curlycool89]

Pretty much anything I’ve heard on XM stations like “The Message” or the one just called “Praise.” Pretty much anything I’ve heard at a youth Mass. I know that doesn’t narrow it down much. I guess what I don’t like is the syrupy sweetness, and the repeated chorus, and the “breathy” vocals, and the lyrics that seem forced. There’s no artistry or depth or genuine human experience connected to it.

I think many of us will have to agree to disagree then. I find most of the music on The Message to be very good, but I’m the only person who will admit that I kind of like that pop-y sound (it’s one of the biggest genres of music, just no one will ever admit to liking it ).

There’s also one other big factor with me: I really like the guitar. I love the sound of both acoustic and electric. The piano can also be a great instrument. That’s just my personal taste though.

**But we have to remember the purpose of this music. It was not meant to be sung in a concert or on an album. It is meant to be used during the Praise and Worship times of evangelical Protestant church worship services. It is meant to be a prayer, allowing the Christian to express his/her deep feelings of love and awe for the Lord. **

It is very similiar to the types of prayers that Catholics pray, e.g., the Rosary. Repetition has been a part of Catholic prayers for centuries. So we really shouldn’t criticize non-Catholic Christians for using repetition in their prayers and prayer songs.

I think this is a distinction that many people do miss. I was just talking to a friend about these differences a month ago.

The biggest difference I find is that when it comes to more Christian songs, I prefer to hear a live version. When it comes to secular music, I loathe live versions because I feel that they ruin the song (in my opinion at least). My thought about live versions is me saying to the crowd “why are you here? You don’t need to be here”. For Christian music, it’s ultimately part of the experience.

I like what you said about simplicity too. The vast majority are very simple concepts, like “our God is greater”. They don’t get too much more in depth and I’m quite glad, because otherwise they’d get pretty boring.

 

[paulisrael]

At the risk of 1) shameless self promotion and 2) the chance you won’t like our music: www.reverbnation.com/pagingsamuel and www.facebook.com/pagingsamuel .

These are for my band Paging Samuel. We honestly feel the same way you do about good, quality music inspired by our faith. I can’t promise our current rough recording will be pleasing to you, but we’ve received very good reaction, and play various Catholic Undergrounds.

I hope this helps you!

 

[AthenaC]

Interesting reading everyone’s thoughts. Personally, I can’t stand all but (maybe) 5 contemporary Christian songs. I find most of it to have that awful low-budget sound and be full of over-used phrases cherrypicked from the Bible (if I hear “salt of the earth” one more time …)

I do enjoy songs that have more musical personality and have something deeper to say than most. In general, Mark Schultz is an artist I like; Building 429 has some good ones, too. Avalon has a couple guilty-pleasure songs I like.