Tuesday, August 24, 2010

convicted by....katy perry?

I'm going through a really odd mix of emotions right now. I'm going to be honest, I have little to no respect for Katy Perry. So...THAT'S out there.
Selling music based off a catchy beat and hanging your cleavage out so no one actually attempts to judge you based on your heart and/or intelligence doesn't really...I don't know...do it for me?
I know that's probably a little harsh, but after reading her Wikipedia page (seriously) I really have a difficult time appreciating her "art."
She was actually raised by Christian parents (father was a pastor) and grew up only being allowed to listen to gospel music. She began pursuing her music career in early high school and released her first (gospel...yep) album in 2001.
After several stints with numerous record labels she finally made it big with "I Kissed a Girl" in 2008. What a difference seven years can make.
The way I see it, she wanted nothing more than to make music. Since she couldn't survive in the Christian industry, she took a 180 (that's putting it nicely) and decided to make music that could fulfill men's fantasies both lyrically and visually in order to "make it."
Maybe I'm off base, but as an outsider this certainly looks like what transpired.
Earlier today on Twitter I caught a glimpse of Andy Merrick's post:
last night my friend @nicatnitemusic said katy perry's song "who am i living for" was amazing. she was right. most profound pop song award!
This kinda piqued my interest so I went to You Tube and gave a listen.
I was (and maybe still am) a little blown away. Wait, can you really be a little blown away? Probably not.
SIDE NOTE
SUDDEN STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS RESULTING IN COMEDIC OBSERVATION: How bothersome is it when people use the wrong verbage/adverbage to give something significance? Specifically, the word literally. "That literally blew my mind." Really? So you are telling me that the aspect of intellect and consciousness experienced as combinations of thought, perception, memory, emotion, will and imagination, including all unconscious cognitive processeses inside of you just exploded? Come on, pal.
END SIDE NOTE
The song literally shocked me (Sorry, I couldn't resist. Unfortunately, the joke isn't as funny as it could have been if I would have referenced it later in this post. I believe it's referred to as a "call back").
OK, let's try this again. It is an amazingly moving song!! Honestly, of any new "secular" (man, I hate that term) song I've heard in a very long time, this is absolutely screaming for Jesus. Here are the lyrics to the chorus:
I can see the writing on the wall,
I can't ignore this war,
At the end of it all,
Who am I living for?

I truly commend Miss Perry for putting this song on her new album. I know millions of people will listen to it and not see that she is singing about Jesus, but like everything else, some will. Unfortunately, they have to buy an album with a half naked woman on the front to get to it, but the message is getting out and if just one person is reached, praise God. He certainly DOES work in mysterious ways.
Some people might raise the concern that I'm digging for spiritual meaning in a place it doesn't exist, so here is your proof. Take a listen.

2 comments:

  1. And is that 'Jesus' tattooed on her wrist? The answer to the question of this song is tattooed right there on her wrist! (Well, it should be the answer to the question anyway!) Sometimes I guess it a good thing that tattoos are permanent. Thanks for the vine Kevin, wouldn't have heard the song otherwise.

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  2. I have absolutely no respect for Katy Perry either, for the same reason as you. ("Sell out" comes to mind...)

    I have yet to give the song a listen, but I'm still pretty skeptical and don't care for her much.

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