Wednesday 3 September 2008

Using secular songs in worship?

I found this video the other day.

I was amazed when I saw this, not least because of the song used for the worship.



When Dead or Alive released "You spin me around (like a record) "these were the lyrics.

Yeah I, I got to know your name
Well and I, could trace your private number baby
All I know is that to me
You look like you're lots of fun
Open up your lovin' arms
I want some

Well I...I set my sights on you
(and no one else will do)
And I, I've got to have my way now, baby
(and no one else will do)
And I, I've got to have my way now, baby
All I know is that to me
You look like you're havin' fun
Open up your lovin' arms
Watch out, here I come

You spin me right round, baby
right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round

I, I got be your friend now, baby
And I would like to move in
Just a little bit closer
(little bit closer)

All I know is that to me
You look like you're lots of fun
Open up your lovin' arms
Watch out, here I come

[Repeat]

I want your love
I want your love
[Repeat]

When that was written I doubt they were expecting "Baby" to be replaced by "Jesus"!

It does all look a little bit too familiar for me, with the same song used here. They even have similar close ups of the kids dancing!



If we were going to plagiarise songs for worship, forgetting the lyrics and just using the chorus, I would much rather go with a bit of mid eighties anthem rock, take Bon Jovi's "Raise your hands" for example.



"Raise your hands
When you want to let it go
Raise your hands
And you want to let a feeling show
Raise your hands
From New York to Chicago
Raise your hands
From New Jersey to Tokyo
Raise your hands"

As long as we're raising our hands to Jesus then that's ok right?!!

3 comments:

Jongudmund said...

"worship as performance" anyone?

FTR I don't think there's anything wrong using ordinary songs and makign them holy. Perhaps it's what we ought to do more of with everything. I often use Star Wars as an in to talk abtou spiritual things like how we're all looking for redemption and stuff.

But this is horrifically cheesy.

Ferg said...

yowzers, that clip was pretty shockin. I guess I feel sorry for them. I do feel dismayed at the lack of creativity sometimes from Christians. We are the sons and daughters of the creator of the universe, you'd think we'd come up with something more original than a dodgy cover of 'you spin me right round'!
Great blog by the way.

Anonymous said...

I can deal with secular songs as worship but twirling your socks round your head? That is seriously odd.