Music For The Deconverted

[Guest BreathinHeathen]

**I'm not used to posting in the forums, but I shall try my best.**

 

Recently on the Chat, I was asked to make a list of some music great for deconversion.  I have a lot that could be great for the deconverted even if the songs are about deconversion.

Artist (Genre) - Song Title [Album] (themes, lyrics, or reasons why the song is on the list).

 

Rush (Classic Rock) - 2112 [2112] (rock opera about man opposing religious-like authority)

Rush (Classic Rock) - Freewill [Permanent Waves] (criticizes predestination, the afterlife, and destiny)

Rush (Classic Rock) - Tom Sawyer [Moving Pictures] (about a free thinker, His mind is not for rent to any God or government)

Rush (Classic Rock) - Show Me Don't Tell Me [Presto] (about skepticism)

Rush (Classic Rock) - Roll The Bones [Roll The Bones] (about questioning, criticizes fate, Fate is just the weight of circumstances. Why are we here?  Because we are here, roll the bones.]

Rush (Classic Rock) - Ghost of a Chance [Roll The Bones(I prefer the live version from Retrospective III)] (criticizes predestination)

Rush (Classic Rock) - BU2B [Clockwork Angels] (criticizes Christianity)

Rush (Classic Rock) - The Garden [Clockwork Angels] (discusses the meaning of life without a watchmaker (God))

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Head Like a Hole [Pretty Hate Machine] (negative towards religion, Bow down before the one you serve, your going ot get what you deserve)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Terrible Lie [Pretty Hate Machine] (from the perspective of a deconverting man, criticizes Christianity)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Sin [Pretty Hate Machine] (could be taken as anti religious, Stale Inscense, soul sweat, and lies, lies, lies)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Happiness in Slavery [broken] (about accepting religion through ignorance)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Wish [broken] (about wishing something to be true even when it's not)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Mr. Self Destruct [The Downward Spiral] (includes religion in a list of things that are harmful)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Heresy [The Downward Spiral] (shows hate towards Christianity)

Nine Inch Nails (Industiral) - Closer [The Downward Spiral] (about Nihilism and animal like sex)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - The Hand That Feeds [With Teeth] (criticizes religion)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Only [With Teeth] (about making something up to help yourself)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Right Where It Belongs [With Teeth] (about questioning the world and accepting the truth)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Capital G [Year Zero] (criticizes right wing christianity)

Nine Inch Nails (Industrial) - Came Back Haunted [Hesitation Marks] (about looking into something forbidin and coming back changed in what people consider a negative way)

John Lennon (Classic Rock) - I Found Out [John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band] (about realizing religion being wrong)

John Lennon (Classic Rock) - Working Class Hero [John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band] (sings about religion being used ot control society)

John Lennon (Classic Rock) - God [John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band] (God is a concept by which we measure our pain.)

John Lennon (Classic Rock) - Imagine [imagine] (about thinking about a world without religion and about free thinking in general)

John Lennon (Classic Rock) - Give Me Some Truth [imagine] (about wanting to know the truth about the world)

John Lennon (Classic Rock) - Watching the Wheels [Double Fantasy] (very relatible for those who are happy without faith)

Frank Zappa (Classic Rock/Comedy) - Jesus Thinks You're A Jerk [broadway the Hardway] (criticizes religious right)

Jethro Tull (Classic Rock) - My God [Aqualung] (about humans making God something that isn't true)

Jethro Tull (Classic Rock) - Hymn 43 [Aqualung] (criticizes Christians, sings that Jesus must save himself)

Jethro Tull (Classic Rock) - Wind Up [Aqualung] (about a man praying to God only to find out that he isn't the Christian God, criticizes Christianity)

Jeff Buckley (Alternative/Grunge) - Eternal Life [Grace] (criticizes fundimentalists and the afterlife)

Supertramp (Classic Rock) - School [Crime of the Century] (about how free thinking is discouraged)

Supertramp (Classic Rock) - The Logical Song [breakfast in America] (about a person who learns to think for himself)

Pink Floyd (Classic Rock) - Sheep [Animals] (about those who just do what they are told)

Roger Waters (Classic Rock) - What God Wants Pts. 1-3 [Amuzed to Death] (critizes religion and God)

Nirvana (Alternative/Grunge) - Litium [Nevermind] (about what it is like to be brainwashed)

Nirvana (Alternative/Grunge) - Jesus Does Want Me For A Sunbeam [unplugged] (parody of religious songs, criticizes religion)

Queen (Classic Rock) - The Prophet's Song [A Night at the Opera] (criticizes prophets/mad men)

 

These are some of my favorites.  Post your favorite songs that helped you through your deconversion/help you now

[Guest BreathinHeathen]

You would never guess that I am a classic rock fan.

[FreeThinkerNZ]

Awesome, thanks Greve!  I will think about some I can add.

[Eugene39]

Nice list! 

[greylight]

I have a random mish-mash of alternative and indie songs here.

 

A Perfect Circle (Alt Rock) Gravity [Thirteenth Step]- Choosing to live despite struggling and being lost.

A Perfect Circle (Alt Rock) A Stranger [Thirteenth Step]- During my deconversion, this song was almost a one-sided conversation to god. Its how I thought of it.

A Perfect Circle (Alt Rock) The Noose [Thirteenth Step]- My interpretation, is speaking to someone in the faith.

A Perfect Circle (Alt Rock) Judith [Mer De Noms]- Anger at a believer who is suffering but still chooses to praise god when they cannot see how god screwed them over.

 

Quiet Company (Indie) [We All Are Where We Belong]: THE ENTIRE ALBUM. The singer used to be a xian singer, now he has deconverted and the album is about that process. Some of my favorite songs:  FEAR & FALLACY SITTING IN A TREE (YOU WERE DOING WELL UNTIL EVERYONE DIED), EVERYTHING LOUDER THAN EVERYTHING ELSE, THE BLACK SHEEP &THE SHEPHERD (LOOK, I'M JUST AN INSTRUMENT, OKAY?), THE EASY CONFIDENCE(WHAT I WOULD SAY TO YOU NOW), AT LAST! THE CELESTIAL BEING SPEAKS (THE UTTERLY INDIFFERENT)

 

Florence + the Machine (Indie}Lover to Lover [Ceremonials]- There's no salvation for me now/ no space among the clouds/ and I feel I'm headed down, but that's all right.

 

Keane (Alt Rock) Crystal Ball [under the Iron Sea]- Trying to find meaning in something...

[buffettphan]

Great list.  I have a lot of the same songs on my "religious" playlist too.  Here are a few more of my favorites.

 

NOFX -- Blasphemy 

XTC -- Dear God

Tim Minchin -- I Love Jesus

Tim Minchin -- The Good Book

Tim Minchin -- White Wine In The Sun 

Jimmy Buffett -- My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, and I Don't Love Jesus

[Sophrosyne]

I have a random mish-mash of alternative and indie songs here.

 

A Perfect Circle (Alt Rock) Gravity [Thirteenth Step]- Choosing to live despite struggling and being lost.

A Perfect Circle (Alt Rock) A Stranger [Thirteenth Step]- During my deconversion, this song was almost a one-sided conversation to god. Its how I thought of it.

A Perfect Circle (Alt Rock) The Noose [Thirteenth Step]- My interpretation, is speaking to someone in the faith.

A Perfect Circle (Alt Rock) Judith [Mer De Noms]- Anger at a believer who is suffering but still chooses to praise god when they cannot see how god screwed them over.

I love A Perfect Circle! (They have the vocalist from Tool)

 

Not sure if this song is even talking about de-converting, but I really like the song anyways... Losing My Religion - R.E.M

 

I was listening to the songs by RUSH and on related it showed a song called "Faithless" by RUSH - this one wasn't listed but I think it also fits.

[★ Citsonga ★]

Tim Minchin - Thank You God

Bryan Steeksma - Listen To Reason (theme from The Atheist Experience)

Shelley Segal - Saved

Shelley Segal - Eve

Metallica - The God That Failed

Porcupine Tree - Halo

Dream Theater - In The Name Of God

[DoubtingNate]

Tom Waits - god's away on business, Georgia Lee

 

Phish - Bug, Sand, Lifeboy

[LongWayAround]

Death Cab for Cutie, Codes and Keys, St. Peter's Cathedral

[Tollo]

Vampire Weekend - Unbelievers ...kind of. I'm not sure if is exactly about it for real but for me it is kind of like wishing for all the perks of religion but being an outsider cause you are an unbeliever

[LukeExChristian]

the thermals - pillar of salt

[moanareina]

R.E.M Losing my Religion (I know, I know...pretty boring but somehow it expressed how I felt and had some comfort in it)

Rancid (Various songs)

Greenday Boulevards of Broken Dreams

Nirvana The Man Who Sold The World

Sublime (Various songs)

Muse Whole Album H.A.A.R.P. (just because the way it feels to sing along and all...)

The only one song and album I like of U2 (Pop) Wake Up Dead Man

 

Maybe more comes to mind but gotta go now

[Storm]

Tim Minchin - Thank You God

Bryan Steeksma - Listen To Reason (theme from The Atheist Experience)

Shelley Segal - Saved

Shelley Segal - Eve

Metallica - The God That Failed

Porcupine Tree - Halo

Dream Theater - In The Name Of God

Porcupine tree is my fave band. Your points just went up with me Citsonga!

 

Porcupine Tree - Prodigal

[seven77]

Bad Religion -- God's Love

Goldfinger -- Open Your Eyes

Morrissey -- I Have Forgiven Jesus

Depeche Mode -- Precious

Queens of the Stone Age -- My God Is the Sun

[★ Citsonga ★]

 

Tim Minchin - Thank You God

Bryan Steeksma - Listen To Reason (theme from The Atheist Experience)

Shelley Segal - Saved

Shelley Segal - Eve

Metallica - The God That Failed

Porcupine Tree - Halo

Dream Theater - In The Name Of God

Porcupine tree is my fave band. Your points just went up with me Citsonga!

 

Porcupine Tree - Prodigal

 

 

Cool, they were awesome! (Rumor has it they may be getting back together to record a new album in 2015. I hope so!)

 

Anyway, here are a few more songs by what I could argue is an ex-christian band (they started off with religious overtones and were marketed in christian stores, but now they're skeptics, which is occasionally reflected in their lyrics):

 

King's X - Looking For Love

King's X - Run

King's X - Over My Head (live version from Best Of King's X, which has a great little secular "sermon" in the middle)

King's X - Get Away

King's X - I Don't Know

[Cousin Ricky]

Kenny Loggins, “This Is It.” I’m very bad at hearing song lyrics, and I just saw them written down^[1] for this song for the first time. It’s a surprisingly humanistic message considering that the co-writer (Michael McDonald) seems to be a devout Christian.

Loggins wrote it as an inspirational piece for his dad, who was despairing over illness at the time.

 

 

P.S. About R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion”:

It’s not about deconversion. It’s apparently a Southern expression for losing one’s cool (as if remaining cool has anything to do with religion), but I would need an actual Southerner who’s familiar with the expression to verify that for me.

 

 

---

^[1]Ignore the songwriter credits on that site. I don't trust them.

[mikey101]

If you like Rush I agree it's good because they're humanist oriented.

 

I listen to and play garage rock/punk now.. talk about fun!

[seven77]

Wanted to add this to the list. I freakin' love this song. One of my favorites by Depeche Mode.

 

 

Lyrics:

Sitting target
Sitting waiting
Anticipating
Nothing
Nothing

Life
Is full of surprises
It advertises
Nothing
Nothing

What am I trying to do
What am I trying to say
I'm not trying to tell you anything
You didn't know
When you woke up today

Sitting target
Sitting praying
God is saying
Nothing
Nothing

Always
Knows the prospects
Learnt to expect
Nothing
Nothing

 

Spot fucking on, I'd say. God never says anything.

[Cousin Ricky]

Kansas, “Dust in the Wind,” a nihilistic piece written by a devout Christian (Kerry Livgren). I was surprised to find it so popular among Christians, but a second look at the lyrics revealed a theme of detachment that turns up in the Buybull. The lyrics could have easily come from the mouth of Jesus, the book of Ecclesiastes, or the pen of Friedrich Nietzsche. I suppose the message you take from this song depends on your outlook on life.

 

[★ Citsonga ★]

Kansas, “Dust in the Wind,” a nihilistic piece written by a devout Christian (Kerry Livgren).

 

Just for clarification, Kerry was not a Christian when he wrote "Dust in the Wind."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Livgren#Commercial_success_with_Kansas.2C_1974-1983

[Storm]

 

 

Tim Minchin - Thank You God

Bryan Steeksma - Listen To Reason (theme from The Atheist Experience)

Shelley Segal - Saved

Shelley Segal - Eve

Metallica - The God That Failed

Porcupine Tree - Halo

Dream Theater - In The Name Of God

Porcupine tree is my fave band. Your points just went up with me Citsonga!

 

Porcupine Tree - Prodigal

 

 

Cool, they were awesome! (Rumor has it they may be getting back together to record a new album in 2015. I hope so!)

 

Anyway, here are a few more songs by what I could argue is an ex-christian band (they started off with religious overtones and were marketed in christian stores, but now they're skeptics, which is occasionally reflected in their lyrics):

 

King's X - Looking For Love

King's X - Run

King's X - Over My Head (live version from Best Of King's X, which has a great little secular "sermon" in the middle)

King's X - Get Away

King's X - I Don't Know

 

Kings x is great. Gretchen Goes to Nebraska is my fave album of theirs. Also like Faith Hope Love. Not really a big fan of their newer stuff.

[Brother Jeff]

Great list.  I have a lot of the same songs on my "religious" playlist too.  Here are a few more of my favorites.

 

NOFX -- Blasphemy 

XTC -- Dear God

Tim Minchin -- I Love Jesus

Tim Minchin -- The Good Book

Tim Minchin -- White Wine In The Sun 

Jimmy Buffett -- My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, and I Don't Love Jesus

 

 

Glory!

[LukeExChristian]

has ANYONE mentioned the atheist rapper Greydon Square?

[Cousin Ricky]

has ANYONE mentioned the atheist rapper Greydon Square?

 

I would have, except that I cannot stand rap music, and therefore don't know any of his songs.

 

Nevertheless, I got a picture with him last year: