Secular music with a good message

[bmathers]

Hey,

I've recently put myself to the challenge of finding secular music that has a positive message to mix with the christian music when playing for other youth. I have around 110 cds and a paid version of a download program, so 'I can get most, if not all, of the songs that are mentioned here. I've been creating a list of these songs, but would like any input on here.

If you know of any songs (the more current, the better, except some past rock is good stuff, or underground) just post it up here and I'll check each one out.

Thanks alot.

 

[Qyöt27]

What exactly are you looking for when you say 'positive message'? Do you mean inspirational songs about specific topics, or just ones that don't promote anything negative?

In either case, pretty much anything by Collective Soul would do the trick, I think.

 

[bmathers]

What exactly are you looking for when you say 'positive message'? Do you mean inspirational songs about specific topics, or just ones that don't promote anything negative?

Really I'm looking for either or. Songs that just do not have a negative feel to them. Especially songs that would make sense when you replace the "you" (meant for a girl) with God (in your mind). Kind of the style Relient K is adapting to, just the other way around.

Maybe that made sense, maybe it didn't. If it didn't then just let me know.

For example, a few songs would be:
- Amber Pacific - Gone So Young
- Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly
- Dave Matthews Band - Ants Marching
- Oasis - Wonderwall

 

[Qyöt27]

Ok, then yes, a lot of Collective Soul's music would fit very well. "Better Now", "Shine", "The World I Know", "After All", "Run", and "Generate" could fit very nicely.

 

[bmathers]

Anything else? Anybody? I've got 10 songs so far (not including the collective souls ones) by going through my cd wallet, putting each non christian cd in, and listening to clips of songs that may be a possibility. This is going to take me hours and hours (if not days) to get fully through. So, if you have any possibilities I'd be glad to hear them.

Thanks.

 

[field0finnocence]

here's some really good ones IMO

"You Owe Me Nothing In Return" (unconditional love) ~ Alanis Morissette
"Who Is It (Carry My Joy On The Left, Carry My Pain On The Right)" (one who supports you) ~ Bjork
"October" (falling part and realizing what you need)~ Evanescence
"Give Unto Me" (carrying someone else's pain) ~ Evanescence
"Who Will Save Your Soul" (the sorry state of the populace)~ Jewel
"Pieces Of You" (acceptance) ~ Jewel
"Lost Ones" (folly of trying to one up people) ~ Lauryn Hill
"Forgive Them Father" (deceptions of people) ~ Lauryn Hill
"Angel" (discouraged but dont give in) ~ Sarah McLachlan
"Turntable" (keep going and know the tables can turn) ~ TLC

 

[intricatic]

For what are you looking for these songs?

I might be able to help, but the music I listen to might be a bit too ... intense (?) ... for your needs. lol

 

[bmathers]

Thanks for your suggestions, keep them coming. So far (in the midst of working at it) I got the following list, so everyone has an idea of the stuff I am looking for:

1. Amber Pacific - Gone So Young

2. Amber Pacific - Poetically Pathetic

3. Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly

4. DMB - Ants Marching

5. Modest Mouse - Float on

6. Oasis - Wonderwall

7. Sum 41 - In To Deep

8. The Used - I caught Fire

9. Senses Fail - Slow dance

10. The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It

11. Nirvana - Lithium

12. Thrice - Artist in an Ambulance

13. Juliana Theory - Bring it Low

It doesn't have to be every word is scripture or about God. It can be more loosely connescted, but has to have a connection (you may have to listen to it with a certain view). Or it can just set a positive tone (aka "Ants Marching")

Thanks.

 

[intricatic]

Okay, here's some suggestions, they're rather less heavy, but no less beautiful. And they're all secular. Supprisingly enough.

Dream Theater - Afterlife
Dream Theater - Learning to Live
Dream Theater - The Spirit Carries On
Dream Theater - Fatal Tragedy
(All these Dream Theater songs seem quite spiritual, but the last one requires that you look at it from a certain perspective)

Anything by Jethro Tull (Celtic, and very upbeat classic rock, but probably not Aqualung...lol)

Anyhow, my tastes are kind of esoteric, so you may or may not be able to use these suggestions. Who knows?

 

[bmathers]

Thanks.


So what if it's not as heavy. I definately need a variety of music so I don't just suit myself. Unfortunately, most of my punkish music is either: A. Christian (MXPX and such) or B. Not the kind of music we could use. I still gotta put in some Coldplay, I have a feeling I may strike something in their.

Just post whatever music you want that meats this need (even rap) and I'll be the judge of if it works or not.

So far, I have:
1. Amber Pacific - Gone So Young

2. Amber Pacific - Poetically Pathetic

3. Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly

4. DMB - Ants Marching

5. Modest Mouse - Float on

6. Oasis - Wonderwall

7. Sum 41 - In To Deep

8. The Used - I caught Fire

9. Linkin Park - Somewhere I Belong

10. The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It

11. Nirvana - Lithium

12. Thrice - Artist in an Ambulance

13. Juliana Theory - Bring it Low

14. Senses Fail - Slow dance

15.

16.

(Some numbers may have switched around from my last post).

 

[intricatic]

I'm not much into the punk thing, so i can't help ya out much there... lol

 

[foo-oswald]

"My Hero" - Foo Fighters
"Times Like These" - Foo Fighters
"Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - U2
"Walk Away" - U2
"Gloria" - U2
"Rejoice" - U2
"Tomorrow" - U2
"With A Shout" - U2
"Drowning Man" - U2
"MLK" - U2
"Where the Streets Have No Name" - U2

Are you seeing the trend here? Plenty of U2 songs with positive messages. Many more than I listed above...

 

[bmathers]

"My Hero" - Foo Fighters
"Times Like These" - Foo Fighters
"Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - U2
"Walk Away" - U2
"Gloria" - U2
"Rejoice" - U2
"Tomorrow" - U2
"With A Shout" - U2
"Drowning Man" - U2
"MLK" - U2
"Where the Streets Have No Name" - U2

Are you seeing the trend here? Plenty of U2 songs with positive messages. Many more than I listed above...

Thanks foo (no really, that's his name, not slang). That is more the stuff that I'm looking for. It kinda surprised me after I downloaded the song "Times like these" by the Foo Fighters. I've been a Jack Johnson fan for years. Check out his version of the exact same lyrics.

"Times Like These" by Jack Johnson. It's on his On and On cd.

 

[Lake]

Conscious Party by Ziggy Marley and also his Tomorrow People tune.He's just got some positive stuff.

 

[jerseyfresh]

THE MIDDLE by Jimmy Eat World
THE REMEDY by Jason Mraz

Check out bands like Mae, Copeland, Anberlin, Pedro The Lion, Underoath, Waking Ashland, Emery, Further Seems Forever, Showbread, The Chariot, As Cities Burn, Haste The Day, He Is Legend, Norma Jean..blah I can't think of anyone else. These are all bands whose members are Christians, but they don't sing about it.

Check out compalation CD's like POLICA! (which has pop-punk, indie type bands doing covers of songs by THE POLICE), PUNK GOES 80's, PUNK GOES POP, they are familiar songs with a modern twist.

Other bands worth checking out for your purpose: mewithoutYou, The Pale Pacific, MC Lars, Jimmy Eat World (be careful with them though... some songs are pretty depressing, in the best way possible.), The Snake The Cross The Crown

and I can't think of anything else off the top of my head.

 

[MoreInSorrow]

actually, if you read As Cities Burn's lyrics, they are chalk-full of Biblical references, as are Haste The Day and Underoath. But good either way.

 

[bmathers]

THE MIDDLE by Jimmy Eat World
THE REMEDY by Jason Mraz

Check out bands like Mae, Copeland, Anberlin, Pedro The Lion, Underoath, Waking Ashland, Emery, Further Seems Forever, Showbread, The Chariot, As Cities Burn, Haste The Day, He Is Legend, Norma Jean..blah I can't think of anyone else. These are all bands whose members are Christians, but they don't sing about it.


Other bands worth checking out for your purpose: mewithoutYou, The Pale Pacific, MC Lars, Jimmy Eat World (be careful with them though... some songs are pretty depressing, in the best way possible.), The Snake The Cross The Crown

Tooth and Nail records basically. I agree, I have all of those cd's... it's probably my favorite record label out there. Hawk Nelson is another recent addition... but those are all considered christian cd's and will be played, definately, just doesn't suit my current purpose.

Thanks for your secular recommendations, it's appreciated.

By the way, on Underoath's hit 'Reinventing you Exit', "This is the way home" is a christian referance, just not obvious like most good christian bands have learned to do.

 

[Law of Loud]

Is there a style you're wanting? There's positive messages abounding in secular music - but it helps to know what you're wanting? I'm guessing by your suggestions that it's not rap... but beyond that, there's so much.

Are your kids wanting poppy punk? Emo? Hardcore? Metal? Rock? Guitar Pop? Popular?

U2's a great band, and almost anything from them would work. A lot of stuff is very Christian... Coldplay's the same way.

 

[bmathers]

Personally, I listen to the Emo, Harder stuff, pretty much ever category of rock, punk (not the epitome of pop by the likes of Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, etc), and I have always been a big fan of DMB and Jack Johnson.

That's what I listen to, but I'd like to have that disregarded for this. Anything that appeals to the public is what I am looking for. Whether that is rap, rock, or whatever it works for me. Atreyu, Silverstein, and the likes would be appealing for some, but in the group that would definately be limited, so I am looking for stuff that is not hardcore.

 

[Maynard Keenan]

Staind - Zoe Jane