olger Posted March 7, 2013 Posted March 7, 2013 7/11 Christian music that repeats the same 7 words 11 times. This song is a 7/11 song. holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy God God God God God God God God God God God almighty almighty almighty almighty almighty almighty almighty almighty almighty almighty almighty adore adore adore adore adore adore adore adore adore adore adore you you you you you you you you you forever.... amen.... Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.."
cricket Posted March 7, 2013 Posted March 7, 2013 :( That really is how it seems sometimes--especially at youth services, camporees and camp meetings. The melody, the words, the chords all blend into the same repetitive songs. Quote
Administrators Gail Posted March 7, 2013 Administrators Posted March 7, 2013 It is a shame, because when one reads the poetry of hymns one's breath can be taken away with their beauty, even without the music. Even if a worship song is not a 7/11, the trend is still that they are simplistic. That could be good at times, I guess. But to me it seems like a dumbing down. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Administrators Gail Posted March 7, 2013 Administrators Posted March 7, 2013 On the way to work I first listened to a song where the lyrics just said, "Thank You," over and over again (Peter Furler- I'm Alive) That got pretty tiring after a very few seconds. Then, switching the station I then heard Katy Perry's, "Last Friday Night". Although the lyrics were on a subject that was not "my" thing, they did show a lot more creativity. I know that there are angels and other beings around the throne of God that cry, Holy, all the time. But they were in view of God's throne and in a state of awe. I have been there and understand that. But this morning's song didn't do that for me. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
olger Posted March 7, 2013 Posted March 7, 2013 It is a shame, because when one reads the poetry of hymns one's breath can be taken away with their beauty, even without the music. Even if a worship song is not a 7/11, the trend is still that they are simplistic. That could be good at times, I guess. But to me it seems like a dumbing down. Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.."
nuff sed Posted March 7, 2013 Posted March 7, 2013 I do not care for "Worship" songs. IMO they are superficial and repetitive. When I attend Pentecostal churches this is what I hear most of the time.... at full volume. Nuff Sed Quote
Moderators lazarus Posted March 13, 2013 Moderators Posted March 13, 2013 I wonder where these contemporary singers got the idea from. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come." Rev 4:8 Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Moderators Bravus Posted March 13, 2013 Moderators Posted March 13, 2013 I thought about creating computer code to write them, since the 7 words also seem to be drawn from the same grab bag of phrases. The switch from '3 hymn sandwich' church service construction to '7 songs and a sermon' is no advance at all. I was lucky enough to be in a couple of churches that mixed it up, so each week was likely to have some surprises, and the range of music in both lyrics and styles was broad. Quote Truth is important
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted March 15, 2013 Administrators Posted March 15, 2013 I wonder where these contemporary singers got the idea from. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come." Rev 4:8 Of human created praise music there is one familiar praise chorus that I have heard and sung numerous times that I think is the record holder in the endless repetition category. The chorus begins by repeating just one word 10 times! I am not exaggerating when I say that it repeats that same word more than 50 times during the song!! There are a few other phrases also sprinkled in here and there repeatedly, and all that repetition goes on and on for over 5 minutes! Song writers like that should get a bit more creative help from some talented poet or lyricist. But apparently for that guy it was easier to just copy a few words and simple phrases from the Bible and set them to music, which also had a bunch of repeated musical phrases and chords. You would have thought Georg Friedrich Handel could have done better with his chorus of Hallelujahs... "King of Kings! And Lord of Lords! King of Kings! and Lord of Lords! And He shall reign forever and ever!, Forever and ever, Forever and Ever..." Let's face it, almost all music is inherently repetitious. Imagine trying to learn the musical version of pi. Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)
JoeMo Posted March 15, 2013 Posted March 15, 2013 Let's not lump all contemporary praise/worship music into one category (said the contemporary praise team leader). There are some very moving and meaningful contemporary praise/worship songs out there. For example: Revelation Song Marvelous Light Open The Eyes of My Heart It Is You Power of Your Love Forever From The Inside Out Nothing But the Blood You Came to My Rescue 10,000 Reasons ...to name just a few. Revelation Song, IMO, is one of the most powerful and moving worship songs ever! That being said, I do eschew 7-11 songs. They are not only boring to sing, they are boring to play. Quote
Members phkrause Posted March 15, 2013 Members Posted March 15, 2013 That being said, I do eschew 7-11 songs. They are not only boring to sing, they are boring to play. For you? For others maybe not! Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
JoeMo Posted March 15, 2013 Posted March 15, 2013 Agreed - I'm just stating my opinion. Some people like those simple little diddies. They are easy to memorize! Biggest thing I was pointing out is that there are some worthwhile contemporary praise/worship songs. Quote
Moderators Jeannieb43 Posted March 15, 2013 Moderators Posted March 15, 2013 Quote Jeannie<br /><br /><br />...Change is inevitable; growth is optional....
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted March 16, 2013 Administrators Posted March 16, 2013 As someone with very eclectic tastes in music I appreciate a wide range of music of most all genres, from the very simple ditties and tunes of children to so-called highbrow music that has aged a few centuries like Handel's Messiah. While I find it most inspiring to sing and listen to the Messiah, it was not regarded as inspired when he wrote it. Quite to the contrary, good church folk thought it blasphemous because it was words of Scripture set to popular theatrical/opera style music. He even had the audacity to hire theater people to perform it. Actually Jeannie, I am less worried about the banality of some praise music than I am about the banality of so many critics of it. My point was simply that to criticize any music because of repetition is to show ones ignorance of music theory and music structure. Simply stated, repetition is pervasive and very much a part of all music from simple praise music to highbrow classical music. See - Repetition (Music) Now as for lack of melodic and harmonic interest or vacuous words... there is something to criticize. But that is also true of many popular songs, religious or otherwise! But that is likely why they are popular - they are accessible, easy to sing and remember for the masses that have little or no musical ability or training. One of the simplest and most beautiful songs - Jesus love me, this I know... Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)
JoeMo Posted March 16, 2013 Posted March 16, 2013 Tom, Awesome musical insight. Do you play an instrument? Quote
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted March 16, 2013 Administrators Posted March 16, 2013 Sadly no. Just a singer (bass/baritone) with great music appreciation skills surrounded by many talented musicians in my family and friends. And I have read some interesting stuff of music theory and the brain science of music. Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)
Moderators Jeannieb43 Posted March 17, 2013 Moderators Posted March 17, 2013 Very interesting, Tom. You have some good points. Simple tunes and simple chord patterns are common to many fine songs, actually. I appreciate your comments. Quote Jeannie<br /><br /><br />...Change is inevitable; growth is optional....
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