I've been rocking out for about a month or so to John Mayer's new CD "Continuum". He finally melds his creative musical genius with some incredibly profound lyrics to make a near rock masterpiece. I pan to share some of it at our next youth group meeting. We've invited our youth to bring thier music to share and to discuss its meaning, how it shapes our thoughts and emotions. Its should be an interesting discussion. I'm not sure which song I'll share. I could share a Beatles song too. I would likely share "Here comes the sun", one of the best songs ever written.
"Waiting on the Word to Change", John's first single from "Continuum", is a protest song about Gen X's longing for a better world, a world with peace and justice. I hope we can live up to his insight that one day our generation will rule the population. may we do so with wisdom and with mercy and love.
My favorite song is called "The Heart of Life". The chorus is "Pain throws your heart to the ground; love turns the whole thing around; know it won't all go the way it should, but I know the heart of life is good." I feel like he's singing Jesus' song to the brokenhearted. The second verse is, "You know there's nothin new, bad news never had good timing; then the circle of your friends will defend the silver lining." Isn't that what happens when people go through a crisis? Friends try to make you feel better, see the silver lining. Maybe its better to recognize that the pain is real, that love alone can heal, that the world is still broken, but the heart of life (GOD) is good!
There is a song called "Belief" that struggles with how religious ideology, fundamentalism, can destroy. "Everyone believes," he sings. One's beliefs govern one's actions.
The deepest, soul searchign song is called "Stop this train". Using the metaphor of a constantly fast-moving train, JOhn strugles with the pace of mortality, aging, etc...he reflects on the fear of losing his parents and his longing to remain youthful."Don't know how else to say it, don't want to see my parents go; one generations length away from fighting life out on my own." Amazingly its a conversation with his dad that helps himn understand that life is a continuum, a constant movement. At some point on the continuum, you don't want to stop the train or go back. You simply accept the course of life as it has been.
Its not often that a new CD, a newer artist, catches my mind. John did it. he renewed my hope for the future of rock music. Thanks, JOhn Mayer.
