One of my favorite bands of all time is The Mars Volta. They're music is a strong Progressive Rock sound w/ bilingual lyrics (spanish and english) mixed together. Often times the lyrics are also very cryptic.
Their latest album has one particular song on it, "Asilos Magdalena", which is about someone making some sort of pact w/ the devil. And its not the usual "deal w/ the devil" as often depcited in movies and what not. Its a really strong bond as described w/ lines like "I will die for you".
It has me thinking, can I really support a band which goes against my Christian/positive moral values? Yes I know its just a song, but at the same time, the fact that it was made makes me question exactly what TMV believes in. I love their sound but I can't stand behind a song like that.
Its really an issue thats been bothering me and I don't know what to do.
2006-09-22 05:36:00 · 17 answers · asked by Rob 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
i'd like to say that you should stop listening... but if you do, then you will slowly be closing yourself from everything you're against. i believe that one of the most important things in life today is being open-minded, but not to the point of being a hipocrite. truth be told, you don't need to listen to all TMV songs, and by assuming that the band supports a certain kind of behavior because of one song may be closing you in even further. i'd say, keep an open mind about it.
2006-09-22 05:44:26 · answer #1 · answered by N 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot gets lost in translation. First you should be sure of the song's meaning b4 you do anything. You may be misunderstanding something. It could also be a story of some1 else's battle w/ the Devil as a parabal and not what the band believes.
Don't listen to these Christian sheep following things they really don't understand. People misunderstood BLACK SABBATH, RUSH, IRON MAIDEN and many other bands who have nothing to do w/ satanic worship. Their songs merely spoke of deals w/ the devil as a yarn... a tale... FICTION. Is Charlie Daniels a devil worshipper b/c he wrote DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA? Is Iron Maiden satanic for telling the biblical story of the devil's mark in NUMBER OF THE BEAST? Or Metallica for writing about the CREEPING DEATH of Moses' age? Get a grip, people!! Rob Zombie has freely admitted he writes his music the way he does b/c he grew up just like me... watching the Wolfman, Dracula, and old Hammer horror films w/ Christopher Lee & Peter Cushing. It was mean to be fun, not devil worship. They're only songs.
Now if you want to talk about Marilyn Manson or other seriously sick folks, that's something you might wanna steer clear of if it offends your sensability. But you need to explore motives b4 damning some1. Let your intelligence define your actions, not a sheep's mentality. Otherwise you'll go thru life afraid of everything b/c anything can be attributed to THE DEVIL if you try hard enuff.
Be Well
2006-09-22 06:24:02 · answer #2 · answered by Dookiee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you answered your own question. Even if you love the band's sound and it might be just a song, if it makes you question your beliefs or if you believe you can't stand behind a band that sings about dying for the devil, then don't listen to them. There's a lot of music out there, I'm sure you'll find something that you love, both in sound and in message.
2006-09-22 05:43:10 · answer #3 · answered by erin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I totally understand where you are coming from...I am a huge fan of hip hop and I am also a christian...I struggle all the time between my love for music and my beliefs...but I do think that you have to look at the group and not necessarily the song...does the group stand behind their lyrics...are these their ACTUAL beliefs? Bc if so, I would seriously be questioning supporting their effort, but if they are trying to do something for shock's sake or to get attention...I wouldn't necessarily stop listening to their music. You know what you believe and you know that no song is going to stop you from believing that...so as long as they can't shake your morals and your values...I think that you can continue to listen to their music...you may just have to skip a track or two.
2006-09-22 05:43:01 · answer #4 · answered by laydehoo05 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I guess the question is, do they really feel that way in real life? You should google them or check out their website to see if you get the vibe that those lyrics are really personal. Some bands have song lyrics that aren't necessarily about them personally, just lyrics in general.
I had the same type of dilemna once, I used to listen to DJ Quik a lot and then I read some thing online about how he broke into his sister's house and beat her. It made me lose respect for him as an artist, and now I don't really listen to him anymore although I still like some of his songs! You just have to do what feels right.
2006-09-22 05:41:55 · answer #5 · answered by ♫ Abby ♫ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think music it's self is very nuetral,, but the lyrics to some songs can be very bad,, they can convey thoughts in our minds that we might not ever have noticed,, or ever thought we would think about.
I think alot of musicians only do music they feel connected with, so that would make me question the band you are talking about. If all thier other music is not like this then maybe I was just a bad choice by them. I wouldn't ban them completely based on one song,, but I would keep my eyes and ears open and if you still negitive vives from them,, then move on to something else that makes you feel more uplifted and postivie.
2006-09-22 05:42:02 · answer #6 · answered by B V 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relax, the people in the band have their own views, if a song or an ideal goes against your way of life then don't listen to that song or album (especially if it makes you feel bad) 'cause the music you listen to is supposed to help you feel at ease, better or happier...
If you still listen to other songs and stuff that don't insult your way of life then there's nothing wrong with it...
good luck!
2006-09-22 05:46:07 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Think of it as listening to another persons opinion. It's not what you believe but what they believe. I like Mars Volta for their musical chemistry. They're awesome I know, but if you feel awkward about what you listen to, then just give it a rest for now, and soon you'll just pick it up and listen once more.
2006-09-22 05:45:46 · answer #8 · answered by Lenneth's true challenge 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would still listen to the band, I just wouldnt listen to the song. Its hard to kick a band like it is to stop smoking or whatever, but I think until you can grow out of the band itslef, you have to "ween" yourself away. Look for christian bands that have the same sound.
-Ryan
2006-09-22 05:52:09 · answer #9 · answered by mycarpultunnel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so does that mean you refuse to be friends with jews, or muslims, or someone with different beliefs?
just because someone or something has different beliefs doesnt mean you should cut it from your life.
and come on... i'm a big TMV fan myself, and you know they're not satanic or evil. keep in mind that all of their music is on a conceptual basis, and the words are trying to form a story, narrated by different beings. also, the word devil does not necessarily mean your idea of the christian Devil, or satan. a devil can mean just a spirit.
it's just a form of expression. enjoy what sounds good.
2006-09-22 05:45:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋