Chapter 14: Music & Lyrics
How to Mess with and Manipulate People
Music is powerful. It’s moving. It speaks to the heart. It invokes emotion.
“Where the Streets Have No Name”
“Walking on Sunshine”
“Amazing Grace”
“Poker Face”
Some people have ‘go-to’ songs that they play to stir-up specific memories or nostalgia.
There are songs that make you want to laugh, cry, dance, fight, remember, and forget.
While attending Visible College in Memphis, TN, I had the opportunity to hear a guest
lecture from a music therapist. After hearing about the interlinking of music and
emotion, a question was posed if listening to the radio might be emotionally unhealthy
as it allows someone else (a DJ) to dictate our emotions? Alternatively we concluded
that a healthier choice would be to allow our emotions to run their course. So for
example, when you feel angry - play angry music, when you feel happy - play happy
music, and so on. Allowing our emotions to complete their cycles without interruption
actually helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
Music is powerful.
Music paired with Lyrics can be transformational. That’s why it is important that we are
careful when choosing songs for a worship set. The music does something to people -
and the lyrics have the potential to be just as damaging as they do fruitful. Great and
true lyrics can establish truths in the hearts of people - whereas bad theology can just as
easily take root.
When choosing songs, ask yourself a few questions, such as:
• What is this song saying? What is it’s theme/point?
• Is it consistent with church/denominational doctrine?
• Is it theologically sound? (there are tons of hymns and songs with rancid theology)
• Is it me oriented or is it God oriented? (downward VS upward)
There are plenty more you could add to the list. As worship leaders, we want to instill
solid and correct theological concepts in our people. If you’re not sure how to answer
these questions, consult your pastor or ministry supervisor - he or she should be able to
point you in the right direction.
Also, don’t be afraid to take the liberty to change the lyrics within a song or hymn to
come inline with your standards (context). I do this often. Don’t worry, the original
author still gets the credit - and you get a usable song!
These concepts are good to keep in mind when writing original music as well.