I’m sure there a lot of ways to ruin a good song, however near the top of the list for me is making a Christian version of the song especially by changing the lyrics altogether. This was a pet peave of mine for a long time and part of what turned a lot of people off to Christian radio in the mid 80’s.
If you want to sing these original songs to God and you feel they are appropriate, then please just do it. If you have to change the lyrics, then maybe you shouldn’t cover the song at all?
I can’t say this without also thanking musicians that have become Christians and have not gone back into their past and changed or re-rerecorded their songs. Among these: MC Hammer and Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
A friend and I have started a list of songs that (in our opinion) should never have been “Christianized”. Here is the beginning of this list:
1. Some Kind Of Wonderful by Grand Funk – Mark Farner
2. Lonely People by America – Dan Seals
3. Broken Wings by Mr. Mister – I can’t remember the band, but trust me, it was not good
4. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion – The Joshua Band
5. Jesus Just Left Chicago by ZZ Top – Just kidding, but imagine how bad this would be?
Are there others I’m missing?
Comments
5 responses to “How To Ruin A Song? Make A Christian Version”
Billy Ray Cyrus ~ Achy Breaky Heart (I don’t know who “Christianized” it, but…gawd. Talk about pure cheese.)
Peter Gabrial’s “In Your Eyes” has been redone – not terrible, but not Peter Gabrial either! “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” – nothing can compare to U2!
Excellent choices! We’re well on our way to the Top 10 Songs That Should Never Have Been Christianized.
How about “Lord, Lift Us Up Where We Belong” taken from Joe Cocker’s and Jennifer Warren’s earlier rendition of “Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong”? I always felt the former always was a little groan-worthy… 🙂
Totally agree
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