American Idol - Idol Gives Back
Like many Christians, part of me was cheering as I sat in my living room hearing the idols sing "Shout to the Lord." A closer listen shows though the lyrics were changed. Below is the video and then the lyrics in the familiar Zschech Darlene version (Hillsong Australia).
While the American Idol people no doubt watered down a beautiful song because of fear that they have promoted Christianity, they indirectly have.
I suspect a few of the singers knew the original, while others are listening to it as cheesy nonsense. As sung on American Idol, it is just that: cheese.
In the original, it is a praise song to Jesus Christ. No other. Not some generic 'lord'. Offensive to only those who do not know Him, and a sweet name to all who do. Catholics often sing this song, protestants of all flavors do as well.
What good can come of this?
Two things: hopefully as this issue gets blogged and discussed, people will think more about what they sing Sunday mornings. Does it mean anything? Secondly, Zschech Darlene and related artists (Don Moen, for example) will see a spike in sales. The real songs will get into the hands of more people.
There is no escaping the fact that many of our treasured songs are based on Christianity: "Amazing Grace," "Silent Night," "Be Thou My Vision," "How Great Thou Art." While "Shout to the Lord," has yet to show the staying power of those classics, it is popularly sung in churches around the world. While the defunct moral character of music sung by Nelly Furtado and Fergie will no doubt continue, people keep returning to songs in which God's holy character is exalted.
Darlene Zschech, Ron Kenoly, Alvin Slaughter version
My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like you
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship you
(Chorus)
Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of your name
I sing for joy at the work of your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
YOU!
(Chorus)
My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like you
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship you
(Chorus)
Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of your name
I sing for joy at the work of your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
YOU!
(Bridge)
Let the earth sing
I declare your great name
All of my life I will
With all of my breath
I will praise you
Lift it up, life it up
(Chorus)
Nothing compares to you
I shout your praise
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares to the promise I have in you!
See an update regarding the April 10 edition of American Idol: American Idol Includes Jesus 'Shout to the Lord' - Modern Christian Praise Song
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33 comments:
i definitely realized that the version was watered down. i was all excited that the song came on, and completely disappointed that they took out Jesus in the beginning. It was a bittwersweet situation.
An upside - they did highlight a song that will have kids searching the internet for the original. I'll guess that when they showed Kristy Lee Cook's 'Amazing Grace' audition, other versions of the song benefited.
The downside - people might sing the lukewarm version.
See
http://anthonytrendl.blogspot.com/2008/02/amazing-grace-sung-by-kristy-lee-cook.html
Apparently the version of the song that they are selling on iTunes is the original version with "Jesus" still in the lyrics. I'd really like to know if it was the contestants that chose the song, or if it was the AI producers. Something tells me that if they're selling the song "unedited" and the words were changed only for the broadcast version, that possibly it wasn't the producers' first choice.
There is nothing to get upset about. This was a GOD thing. We too often want everything to look nice and evangelical. Do you really expect American Idol to leave in the name of Jesus?
The fact is they played a song that has roots in the Name of Jesus. People will look it up, and people will hear the true song.
Praise Jesus that he had "Shout to the Lord" played on the biggest stage - possibly in the World.
Don't be discouraged, be excited...God is moving...he just doesn't always do it in the way we are use to seeing it or like to see it.
I agree that this is a good thing. Great vehicle for discussion in real life.
When David Archuleta, a Mormon, sang John Lennon's anthem to agnosticism, he carefully left off the part about "no religion." He said it was because of time constraints, but I, as do many others, suspect otherwise.
I wonder what would have happened if the openly gay singers like David Hernandez and Danny Noreiga were still on? The song was left pretty 'safe', though, from my view, was still focused on Christian imagery. I don't know if they would have balked.
I wonder what the Muslim point of view is about this. Anyone know?
resilient hawk, I find your comment about the possibility of openly gay singers "balking" over singing a Christian song. Assuming that openly gay people are or are not Christian is prejudice, plain and simple. LGBT people are all over the spectrum when it comes to spirituality, everything from atheist to evangelical Christian.
I thought the night was supposed to be about inspiration and drawing people together to do good. In drawing out everyones better angels, I think coming together over a low common denominator like, say, HUMANITY, is quite appropriate.
Calling forth the images of "the wonders of your mighty love" shouldn't be reserved to Christians or be used, in this since, to proselytize. People the world over respect the music of other people, but music that speaks to people directly can help bond humanity together. Common language, themes, ideas, etc, can help everyone who listens understand that humans the world over share core values and cultural imagery.
In this setting, I am sure even some CHRISTIANS feel a little uncomfortable with the idea of asking for charity only through the lense of Christian charity. I think many Americans believe in charity because we are wealthy country and it is a human right to not live in squalor while a slim minority of humanity reaps the benefits of globalization, technology, and capital.
i was very shocked that they would sing that.
but get over it.
Jews love God too.
Casey, I assumed nothing. I wondered. I don't know. I wondered specifically about David Hernandez and Danny Noreiga. I do not know the faith, nor lifestyles of the other singers, though have read David Archuleta is a Mormon. I do not know how devout he is.
My wondering is wrought out of knowing gays who ridicule Christians as well as those who profess a singular faith in Jesus Christ. I hoped when I said "I don't know," observant readers would catch on I was admitting ignorance.
The song was written and sung by someone who makes it clear that Jesus Christ is their savior. I was glad to see a version of the song on Idol, and, as another poster points out, the better known 'Jesus' version is sold on iTunes.
There is no watered down version to this song....or the message that was on American Idol last night. I can almost guarantee that most people that will complain about the way they changed Jesus To Shephard (even though that is what He is referred to in the Bible) are also the ones who did not make a donation to the cause in which they were representing. American Idol does more for the hurting in this world than any "church" does. And lest we forget.....the Bible says we shall no them by thier fruits. Just the previous week Dolly Parton sang Jesus and Gravity and that definitely wasn't edited. God will impact the world, and it's obvious that most churches are about what's between the walls rather than what is outside of them.....so God isn't welcome in most. But He is definitely still alive and still working miracles as He has done on American Idol.
Excellent point, Tina. I was touched by the amazing amounts of money people are giving, and was especially impressed by how we can do so much with just a few bucks.
$10 for mosquito netting?
Let me plug what they are doing:
American Idol Gives Back
We all who are online reading, blogging, or those who even just have TVs are so much more financially blessed than so much of the world. If you have a few bucks, or can cut out some expense, think about giving.
Close your eyes and listen. God’s Word says in
Psalm 46:10
“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”
God knows AI’s intentions, WHY? He created each and every soul. It’s not about a song. It’s not about what they did or didn’t do, it’s ALL about JESUS! Let it go and LET GOD! His Answer is the only one that matters.
I saw it to last night and when I heard they were gonna sing Shout to The Lord, I was taken back. Then the first line was sang, and I tell you what, my heart sank . . . deep. They didnt say anything when Mariah and Dolly mention Jesus, but they literally ripped Jesus out of our ANTHEM! And I belive that there is something totally behind this. They dont just sing shout to The Lord for no reason and then dont even mention Jesus in both lines that Darlene made sure she had in there. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that JESUS is Lord. Wow, do we have so much to cherish in The Name above all Names, and while I do agree that it is good that God is being sang about, no matter their motives, it still doesnt impress Jesus at all. They worship me with their lips and their hearts are far from Me, He says.
American Idol is HUGE and they make millions, they are very concise in what they aim to achieve, so i'm very curious as to why they would sing our song and remove Jesus out of it. I could go on and on and I know I may sound harsh and insensitive, but when we live in a country that is constantly pushing to remove Jesus from all fronts, it totaly breaks me heart. Just my two cents.
Thanks for putting this post up.
Guess what?! Tonight, on the elimination show, they sang the song again with the words "My Jesus"... !!!! Amazing. I was shocked, completely did a double-take. I wasn't surprised at all that the lyrics were changed last night, disappointed but not surprised. But tonight they sang the real version... and I find myself wondering too... who wanted this song, the contestants or the producers??
I agree with what "jim of nj" posted below.
Instead of looking at the glass "half empty"....look at it "half full"! This was a good thing....a God thing! If this song changed only one person's life of the millions that watched...that's one more for the Kingdom of God. Also, the week before, The Clark Brother's sang & kept "Jesus" in their song...their dad is a minister and I was amazed that they allowed the song on the show. And then....right after they sang, Dolly sang about the Lord and said Jesus several times...it was awesome! So...please, be encouraged...God is at work on American Idol!!! :)
I just posted tonight's version version of the song, along with some questions about what makes
good worship.
We can only wonder why they did it one way, then another.
http://anthonytrendl.blogspot.com/
There is indeed some irony here- mountains will bow and the seas will roar at the sound of your name- which we're not going to mention at the moment. Do they really believe what they're singing?
That irony caused me to laugh - then, pause, realizing how immense this is.
As I mentioned, I hope all of this, as noted by believers like you, like me, and so many others -- what do the songs we sing each Sunday mean?
Lip service is easy. So is taking too seriously what's going on in a pop culture TV show. When we, whether Catholic or protestant, sing this weekend, or on our own before -- do we realize what our own hymns mean?
I pray that I stay out of that catagory of christian (like many I have seen on the Blogs accross the web and once was...) slamming the fact that a supposed watered down version was sung of a praise song was sung. Saints... we need to stop broad brushing "other" groups where the manifestation of the kingdom of God on the earth in these last days is showing up... God is doing a new thing and will use vehicles that you would not normally recognize... secular tv, marketplace ministries, texas hold em' poker, Movies etc... this was an awesome thing. Interesting that your beloved version with the name above every name (JESUS) was sung this evening.... Wow... the Lord is Good! Brock Bellevue, WA.
Brock in Bellevue - The category you want to avoid put you in another category. We all followed this song's impact, both you and all, and the hundreds upon hundreds of people who stopped by here just to see what the discussion was about.
As far as the use of your word 'slamming', I think that is harsh and misued. I recognized the song was watered down. Slamming the AI people would involve something stronger than calling their version cheesy. In fact, I went on to point out the benefit later in the post.
Christ will use what He pleases. I have never watched a poker game, but I agree, God's Holy Spirit is not bound from the table. In fact, He used gambling to get rid of his clothes when He died. Instead of Texas Hold'Em, they played Golgotha Nail'Em. Trouble was, when He arose from the dead, He needed a new set. ;)
I don't know what any of you are talking about. There was nothing watered down about it. I have it recorded on my DVR...the Idols sing the song word for word from the original. I recorded it on the High Definition channel not sure if that made a difference but the did say Jesus. I even replayed it for my wife who was out of the room at the time. I can't believe what I'm hearing on you tube. Sheppard sticks out like a soar them when you've sung this sung a billion times in church.
Which version are you listening to Jeremy?
In this post, I have posted the 'non-Jesus' version, and in a later post, put the 'Jesus version'. I have not heard th iTunes studio version, but am told it includes the original 'Jesus' lyrics.
What I am saying is this. I own the CD "Shout to the Lord" by Darlene Zschech. "My Jesus My Savior" the whole nine yards. When I watched and recorded American Idol last night, they sang the song word for word from that CD. I was so amazed to see all these forums talking about watered won lyrics. I was even more amazed to actually see the "edited' version on youtube. I am going to post what I recorded on youtube last night. They sing the name of Jesus.
Jeremy, Thanks. Last night did have the version many of us know. The night before, however, it did not. See the YouTube version I have posted here, the one with the Idols dressed in white.
Am I missing where they sing 'Jesus'?
Here's the post with the 'Jesus' lyrics
Oh, I missed that show. That's why. Huh, interesting that they sang it twice and with two different lyrics.
I thought about a lot of things last night. It crossed my mind that AI producers were expanding their market. It occurred to me that some would argue that the singers did not understand what they were singing. So... why am I sitting here this morning still feeling goosebumps? Because I know that in my 47 years of knowing Jesus as friend, brother, Savior, High Priest, King and Lord God of Heaven and Earth - I have never been aware of a time when so many tens of millions of people around the world were joined together to hear Him be praised. While their are other great songs that speak of God's love and his "Amazing Grace", the World we know finds consolation in making it fit the god of their choosing. Last night's full and unedited version was undeniable praise to our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. It doesn't matter who wanted it, what the motives were or if the singers meant what they sang. HE is worthy to be praised.
I don't care how anyone feels about it, taking the name of Jesus out of a song because it might offend someone was a compromise. Someone compromised when they did that. They compromised the TRUTH of the song and the TRUTH of the Word of God. This song was written to praise Jesus, God in the flesh. If you take Jesus out of the message, it is any "religion" on the market today. Truth is not relative - truth is truth. There is only one truth and we cannot allow it to be compromised, especially in these last days where a one world religion was prophesied. Sing some other feel-good song if you want to, but to sing a song that praises the name of Jesus and take His name OUT, is an affront to our God and should offend everyone who claims to know Him as their Savior. If you are one of these people and you are NOT offended, you need to step back and examine whether you are succumbing to the graying and dulling of the, what should be, dark, even lines that define the truth spoken in the Word of God. And by the way to one of the "Anonymous" posts, God is not doing something "new". God doesn't change His ways to accommodate us. God doesn't change PERIOD. He will continue to use the same methods that He has always used and His program will be brought to completion 100% by His hand.
I love your zeal and I know that He loves your zeal as well. And when I say "He" I mean Jesus. I just want to offer another viewpoint for you. When this world comes to an end and everyone living and dead, believer and non-believer, hot Christian and lukewarm Christian, Moslem, Hindi, Buddhist, Mormon, gay or straight, Baptist or Catholic, Jew or Gentile, EVERY knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. That's it. Whether they meant to proclaim Jesus as Lord or not (I saw the second version with Jesus in the lyrics not the Shepard version). These words are true... "Shout to the Lord, ALL the earth let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar At the sound of Your name."
Whoever He welcomes into His kingdom is another matter. But He is worthy of ALL praise. And when he reveals Himself in His glory no tongue will be silent and ALL will confess that JESUS is Lord.
Jesus was proclaimed LORD to tens of millions of people... whatever the motive or whatever the reason, I could only think to myself, He is worthy.
Well isn't it great that on Thursday they sang the original words? "My Jesus, my savior"
Oh and by the way, Darlene is her first name.
Yes, her first name. Occasional mistake I make when looking at Hungarian things too long. I manage an online Hungarian bookstore, and they do names the other way.
We also need to take note that the "Results" show played the song with correct lyrics. I was very impressed!
Absolutely correct.
See
http://anthonytrendl.blogspot.com
I have posted both versions.
Have any of your churches, or friends at church discussed this?
See last night's post about Carly Smithson's version of "Jesus Christ Superstar," sung on American Idol last night. I ask about blasphemy and theological consistency.
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