Essays
The Spirituality Of Sigur Ros
Let me start by saying that I’ve heard all the excuses. Every Bible verse, every theological argument–I’ve heard it all. I was raised by the most fundamental of fundamentalists. And I’m going to be real honest here, I think it’s bullocks. And yes, I’m fully aware that you’ve read 4.5 sentences and are still thinking: Well, what are you talking about? To which I will respond: Hold your horses, I need to put in a header tag.
Christian Culture Gestapo
I like to call them the CCG for short. The CCG is head up (honorarily, of course) by James Dobson, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. These guys will tell you that rock music is an open door for demons to pass into your children, or that rock albums are really satanic spells, etc etc. I know this because my parents listened to the CCG triad and immediately applied everything they said to my life.
I don’t know what law was passed that legitimized the ordination of the CCG. Most die-hard Christians would point to John 17:14-15, where Jesus is praying for his followers, both in the present and the future:
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one.
Most Christians view that verse as we should segregate ourselves from everything secular, when in reality, Jesus didn’t mean that at all. Look how Jesus lived. Look who hated him. The only people that hated Jesus in his day were the religious leaders. The Dobson’s, the Robertson’s, the Falwell’s of his day. Jesus’ friends? Whores, the IRS, the poor–these people came to Jesus and he changed their life. I don’t see the Church doing that in this day and age. Christians today are not accessible. We’re viewed as snobbish, egotistical hypocrites. Good job, CCG. Thanks for the Right-Wing as we know it.
Jesus Went To A Sigur Ros Concert
I’ve gotta tell you, the first time I heard Sigur Rós, I cried. I prayed. I felt like the Prodigal Son. Never had I heard music like that. And honestly, a lot of people aren’t going to get it. A lot of people aren’t going to see what I see.
I could probably make the assumption that if you’re reading this, you fall somewhere in between the lines of:
- You’re a Christian and this whole discussion is appalling you.
- You’re a Christian and this whole discussion is connecting with you.
- You’re not a Christian and you’re curious what idiot Christians have to say
So let’s say that I’m writing this article for the benefit of Group 1. If you went out and did your own research, you would find that the lead singer of Sigur Rós is gay and blind in one eye. You would discover that they’re from Iceland, and all their songs are sung in either Icelandic or a made up language called “Hopelandic,” invented by the half-blinded homosexual singer.
I can just hear the arguments now: a made-up language? He could be reciting satanic spells! He could be cursing us with homosexuality!
And for all of you non-Christians out there, this scenario is real. A lot of Fundamentalist Christians do say that. This is an actual fear.
What I Really Meant
Maybe this whole time, I haven’t really been talking about the Spirituality of Sigur Rós, but rather, talking about fundamentalist spirituality–which isn’t really spirituality at all. Twila Paris and her 45th variation of a contemporary Christian song isn’t going to be what draws people to God. TBN isn’t going to do it. Benny Hinn isn’t going to do it.
At some point in the game, we’ve lost touch. Instead of digging deep inside of ourselves for the creativity to describe God as a living breathing thing, I am stuck making a metaphor. God is like a Sigur Rós song in all of its complexity, emotion, feeling, hope, thankfulness and wonder. I mentioned before that some of you aren’t going to understand this band or this music, but I think it’s safe to say that if you’re a spiritual person, you will.
We can’t describe love. We can’t describe hope. We can’t even describe faith. But music makes it possible for us to feel these things. And the more we feel these things, the more we can begin to understand them.
If you’re a Christian and you’re denying yourself the exposure to music like Sigur Rós or Joseph Arthur or any band that makes you feel, then it’s time to reconsider. Such a sheltered existence will most undeniably lead to lack of air. If God is nothing more than a list of rules to you, what are you accomplishing?
I can’t help but think that if Jesus were alive in this day and age, that he would not only buy Sigur Rós tickets, but that he would take you as well. He would tell you over and over again how this band would blow your mind. You might be disturbed by the fact that you don’t know what they’re saying. You might whisper in his ear that the lead singer is gay and homosexuality is against God’s laws.
I think he would just smile, put his finger to his lips and say: listen.
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I prayed when I saw The Who…a couple of pagan former drug addicts. Townshend’s new song “Man in a Purple Dress” is a reaction to Mel Gibson’s “The Passion”. I bet Jesus digs that song too.
While I am not up on much “new” music, I always listen. I couldn’t give a shit what the singer is into. If the music is good then it can bless.
I hear God talking to me in a Jimi Hendrix solo. And I thank God for all the crazed drug addicts that gave me a way to talk to him.
Beautiful Zach. I have never been to a live show, but I have wanted to ever since I first heard them at a friend’s production at UCSB. The soundtrack for the entire play was ( ), and it was amazing. I was hooked…I continue to be amazed by their flowing, passionate sounds. Their music has moved me to worship more than any other band…ever. They tap into something that makes you feel, and that is what is so special about them. The whole point to the Hopelandish is that, rather than your typical lyrics, Jonsi chooses to use his voice as another instrument, to evoke feeling within the listener. He feels that a “message” would get in the way of the music. Maybe followers of Christ can learn something from Jonsi. Perhaps we should let the music of our lives speak the volumes rather than always trying to bombard our listeners with propaganda in the lyrics we have so eloquently crafted.
I first heard a Sigur Ros song while I was watching “Vanilla Sky”. I remember how I felt. It was on some channel at like 3am. I just remember letting the wave of raw emotion wash over me. I hadn’t allowed such emotion since Taye entered the world. Through my tears, I watched as the final scenes of the film played out.
You may want to check out Alice in Chains’ “Jar of Flies”. When I first heard “Nutshell”…I was a 13 year old boy and had NEVER felt music like that. I remember Ms Elliott, my music teacher asking what I was doing differently. Because when I played music, there was more feeling behind it. I think the music of that Seattle grunge band opened up the essence of who I was to the world.
Eric, I have 14,000 songs on my computer. What makes you think that I don’t have Jar of Flies?
I forgive you.
I saw Babel this weekend at the Regal. I was moved by the movie trailer before the flick for “Children of Men”, at the end they played “Hoppípolla”by Sigur Ros. It was spiritual, mystical, divine. I was reminded of a church in San Diego called The Resolved (www.theresolved.com). An article was written about their worship, small group gatherings. Went something like this.
“…people gathered in a small apt on pacific beach to read and study the bible. A pastor opened the service with lyrics from the band Bright Eyes and a prayer from Ansem of Canterbury. The Bright Eyes song conveys words of longing by a non-Christian and the prayer of Ansem is a prayer of satisfied longing in God. They read from Romans 1:18, people prayed and took communion, using the elements a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine. A song from Sigur Rós played in the background during the communion time. Their pastor describe it like this “It is a time of reflection where people deal with their soul and God.”
Hoppípolla translated is “Jumppin Puddles” and when you read the words translated into english and listen to the song you feel like a child again. “Smiling, Spinning ’round and ’round, Holding hands, The whole world a blur, But you are standing…Soaked, Completely drenched, No rubber boots, Running in us, Want to erupt from a shell”
Somehow I feel like worshipping, smiling, spinning, holding hands with God is right where He wants us. Like children jumppin puddles and erupting from our shells.
At your urging and that of my mentor Pete Townshend I am downloading some of their songs. I’ll get back with a short report…not that you care, but if you do…