OK here we go, the first 3 nominations for the coveted prize that is a final place in the Labour Humanist's top 30 songs of freethinking atheism. But, first here is the small print, Criteria for inclusion:
1) Expresses positive affirmation of the non-religious outlook on life and/or favouring reason and humanity over superstition and sectarianism.
2) And/Or has a direct, or indirect, crack at the problems caused in this world, and to indivduals, by religion and superstition.
3) Passes some notional hurdle of quality. Nice lyrics but in a terrible song by someone no-one has ever heard of won't cut the mustard I am afraid.
And here is the very important disclaimer to any passing cyber pedants:
Disclaimer!!! These songs are suggested for their content on a one-off basis. I know it is highly likely that in the hundreds and hundreds of other songs composed by the artists in this list there may be some songs which slightly, or even fully contradict the freethinking sentiments in the song chosen for the list. We also have to accept that the publicly stated beliefs of any single group member or singer may have changed before, during or after the song's publication. This is the nature of life, it changes nothing as each song is chosen on its own merits.
Ok with all that out the way, here's the first three nominations:
Nomination One:
The Cardigans: Godspell
So first out of the secular traps come Sweden's The Cardigans with Godspell. It's a grand old rocking, but in a poppy way, number this one, and I think we can see where the band's sentiments lie with these lyrics:
I've heard about a great big swindle
I read about it in a book
The book flew out the window
Was later found by thieves and crooks
And now
they're singing hallelujah
I'm wondering just what did they find
They say "what's it to ya?"
Just take a place in line
And wait
So I wait
I wait
And wait
And I...
You can listen to a sample of the song by selecting it from this panel below:
Nomination Two:
That Petrol Emotion – Creeping to the cross
Absolutely no sitting on the fence from this belter of a track from That Petrol Emotion (mostly comprised of former members of The Undertones) who hit the creative heights for a while in the late 1980s. I don't know for sure, but in all likelihood this song was inspired as a response of the role of religion in creating sectarian divides in their native Ireland. The chorus is a striking rejection of submitting to the dubious and tainted moral authority of the church:
"And I'd rather be the devil
than go creeping to the cross..."
I can't find any copies of the song to embed at the moment, I'll keep on looking, but for now, you can listen to a rather unsatisfactory snippet here via amazon.
Nomination Three
Oasis - Do you know what I mean
Noel Gallagher is once quoted as saying “Anything that disproves God, bring it on”, and in this song the band express their disdain for the outmoded idea of an all-knowing maker..."get up off the floor". Lyrics and video provided for your continued enjoyment:
"I don't really care for what you believe
So open up your fist and you will receive
The thoughts and the words of every man you'll meetGet up off the floor of the leaving line
No one's ever gonna ever ask you twice
Get all the fuss and bring it all home to meI met my maker, I made him cry
And on my shoulder, he asked me why
As people won't fly through the storm
I said listen up now, we don't even know you're born"
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