Warning! Overt Christian Lyrics!

[pitterpatter]

For those with weak stomaches, let me just caution you. This song has overt Christian lyrics and may not be suitable for just any audience. It might even offend some people. I've posted my latest song, 'America, You Reap What You Sow" on MySpace. I wish the demo had been a bit harder rock but I'm finding with demos, it's hard to get exactly what I want. Please let me know what you think. Thanks. www.myspace.com/angelicaplatinumfieldAmerica, You Reap What You SowYou were the home of the strong and the brave and the freeAnd that’s the way God wanted it to be.But you’ve turned from God to your evil ways.It had to catch up with you someday.Amer-i-ca. You reap what you sow.Amer-i-ca. There’s a God, don’t you know? All those kids on the streets without Daddies,Taking drugs and living violent TV.And the ones that were and never will be,God formed in the womb and you will see.Amer-i-ca. You reap what you sow.Amer-i-ca. There’s a God, don’t you know? When you tamper with God’s covenant Jews.Dividing Israel is trouble for you.The bible says you’re poking God’s eye.If you wanna be blessed, do think that’s wise?Amer-i-ca. You reap what you sow.Amer-i-ca. There’s a God, don’t you know?Bridge:If you turn back to God, Humble yourselves in prayer.God will forgive and He will heal this land. (Bridge overlaps chorus) Amer-i-ca. You reap what you sow.Amer-i-ca. There’s a God, don’t you know?Amer-i-ca. You reap what you sow.Amer-i-ca. There IS a God, you know.© 2008

[Casey H]

Hi AngelicaJust a few thoughts from a pure song POV... The chorus feels a little "soft" and "mushy" (mostly musically) when compared to verses which are more hard hitting in subject matter. I think you need more "edge". (Actually, it reminded me of the band, "America"!)... That need for "edge" could apply to the whole song... Strong points made with a voice a little too soft...None of my thoughts here have to do with my own opinions on politics and religion- only the song and pitching it. From a practical standpoint, my suggestion would be to replace the "dividing Israel" part with a different point about America and turning from God. Why? Because it crosses over into what (to many others by opinion) becomes political, not purely "Christian". Assuming you can get a song out to Christian music publishers, like it or not, that could make or break whether it gets any further. The format of very short verses with choruses doesn't work for me as well as it might with some changes. For example, you could do a double-length verse (or 2 verses), the first time. Just my thoughts over morning coffee.. Best, Casey

[llama]

Hey Angelica,I liked the lyrics...hard hitting, not pulling any punches and conveying the point well. My problem is the music itself. Just personal opinion but it seems too timid to go with the words. As did the singing. In my head I'm hearing a rocky and/or electronica track with a powerful singer.......But again that's just me..Derek (the other one )

[pitterpatter]

Apr 10, 2009, 4:56am, hurowitz wrote:Hi AngelicaJust a few thoughts from a pure song POV... The chorus feels a little "soft" and "mushy" (mostly musically) when compared to verses which are more hard hitting in subject matter. I think you need more "edge". (Actually, it reminded me of the band, "America"!)... That need for "edge" could apply to the whole song... Strong points made with a voice a little too soft...None of my thoughts here have to do with my own opinions on politics and religion- only the song and pitching it. From a practical standpoint, my suggestion would be to replace the "dividing Israel" part with a different point about America and turning from God. Why? Because it crosses over into what (to many others by opinion) becomes political, not purely "Christian". Assuming you can get a song out to Christian music publishers, like it or not, that could make or break whether it gets any further. The format of very short verses with choruses doesn't work for me as well as it might with some changes. For example, you could do a double-length verse (or 2 verses), the first time. Just my thoughts over morning coffee.. Best, CaseyThanks for your thoughts Casey. Your ideas make sense to me from the commercial songwriting school of thought. It's just not meant to be a commercial song. Removing the part about dividing Israel, would pretty much eliminate the purpose and message of the song. Dividing Israel, according to the bible, is poking God in His eye. Biblically, if you bless Israel, God will bless you. If you do anything against Israel, God will curse you. So, the American plan to divide Jerusalem in half and give half of it to Israel's enemies, the Palestinians, who want to wipe them off the map, would be a major cause for concern for America if America wants God's favour. Biblically, it's a big no no with a curse attached and it's the one thing, that according to the bible, Obama could back off on and presumably, God's curse would lift. But I know what you mean. If my goal was a commercial song, I would have to change most of it.

[pitterpatter]

Apr 10, 2009, 12:52pm, llama wrote:Hey Angelica,I liked the lyrics...hard hitting, not pulling any punches and conveying the point well. My problem is the music itself. Just personal opinion but it seems too timid to go with the words. As did the singing. In my head I'm hearing a rocky and/or electronica track with a powerful singer.......But again that's just me..Derek (the other one )That's exactly what I would have liked too....a real rock song and I think that it's a demo problem. The demo was just too light for the message. I asked for a soft rock song thinking that it would be not acid rock but not a folk song either. I think what I should have said to the demo service was that I wanted something that was rock but not heavy metal or acid rock (and I think I would have liked that even better than what I got.) To me, it doesn't even sound much like a rock song at all and more like a folk song. I guess everyone has their own idea what of what a rock song is...unfortunately but you'd think a demo service, of all places, would know what one sounds like.

[benjamine]

Apr 12, 2009, 2:30am, pitterpatter wrote:Apr 11, 2009, 5:13pm, hurowitz wrote:Wow... Although I'm not a big fan of posting these types of lyrics here, it didn't seem that hard to me to stick to the song. I think the music is too soft and mushy for the intense lyric and that the whole part about Israel should be removed, not because of any one personal religious/political opinion, but because it will make the song less marketable- like it or not. I also agree that a more subtle, "show me, don't tell me" approach to the lyric would make it better.CaseyCasey. I totally agree with you. To make the song more marketable to appeal to a wider audience, I would need to do what you suggest. I'm not clear on the show me, don't tell me idea however. Could you explain that further? Thanks.You state quite clearly you have no marketing aspirations for this song so casey tells you how to make it more (marketable).I think the glare from his halo stops him from reading the posts properly.

[Casey H]

Apr 12, 2009, 3:27am, benjamine wrote:Apr 12, 2009, 2:30am, pitterpatter wrote:Casey. I totally agree with you. To make the song more marketable to appeal to a wider audience, I would need to do what you suggest. I'm not clear on the show me, don't tell me idea however. Could you explain that further? Thanks.You state quite clearly you have no marketing aspirations for this song so casey tells you how to make it more (marketable).I think the glare from his halo stops him from reading the posts properly. Interesting... Angelica didn't seem to to have an issue with my "marketing" oriented comments... even came back and asked for more information. Yet, you seem to have a problem with it... I'll try to turn down the halo a few watts so you can see better. Casey

[benjamine]

Apr 13, 2009, 4:52am, pitterpatter wrote:Apr 12, 2009, 6:21pm, billg wrote:The thing that's tough to take is the entire notion that somehow America is getting what it deserves because we've in someway angered God. These are the same ideas the people had who decided to crash planes into the twin towers . . . . People acting in the name of God are also fond of straping on bombs and blowing people up so they can be rewarded by God, with virgins no less! Are we all talking about the same God?I know none of this was intended by this song or these lyrics, but the idea that America is being punished or needs to be punished in the name of God are the same ideas that are held by the people who have declared war against us.It's cool that in this part of the world you can write a song about anything you want, you can express any beliefs you wish, any message you want to convey. I respect you and what you believe. But people are also free to be critical.Our country is in an economic jam right now because of greed at the top of the food chain, plain and simple. We'll, maybe not so simple. But we will sort it out, fix it, and come out on top regardless of your "biblical theory". Bill. It's just one person's opinion and a theory based on the bible. If the God of the bible doesn't exist, then you and America have nothing to worry about. Don't worry. Be happy. However, if the God of the bible does exist, then America could have made plans to chop up any city on Earth and it wouldn't have mattered so much. Jerusalem is God's holy city and it comes under God's covenant with Abraham and the bloodline of God's son, Jesus. Any plans to carve up that city are a direct afront to the God of the bible and it comes with dire consequences; actions that invoke a promise of a curse.The Roman Empire used to cover most of the Earth and now they're gone. The same thing could happen to America. The blessings of God have allowed America the freedoms and prosperity that America has enjoyed over the years. Your country was founded on Christian principles. It's not that America needs to be punished by God. It's more like America stepped on a rattle snake and was bitten. Now, America just needs to back away from the rattle snake before they get bit to death. No one can challenge God and hold their ground against God and expect to win. You said your country has had an economic downturn and you can, by yourselves, turn this thing around and come out on top. If you think that America can do that without God's help, well once again I'll say, "Good luck with that. I wish you well." Any horrible thing can happen to America if God removes His hand of blessing and protection. I'd be a bit worried, if I was you. But, you don't believe any of this so don't worry. Be happy. But don't expect your economic crisis to change unless America changes it's policies regarding Israel and Jerusalem. America can't do anything about it's economic situation without God's help and if you want God's help, don't poke Him in the eye. Quote:if you want God's help, don't poke Him in the eye.I think you just poked bill in the eye!!!

[benjamine]

Apr 13, 2009, 8:49am, djb wrote: A quote from a previous post above: "You may disagree with his message, but music is the ultimate freedom of speech arena. I applaud the original poster for speaking his mind whether or not people agree with it."Realize that you're applauding one person for speaking their mind while telling others not to speak theirs. (insert smilie here)Quote:Realize that you're applauding one person for speaking their mind while telling others not to speak theirs. (insert smilie here)Insert your own it doesn't cost any extra!!

[Casey H]

I tried my best.