Hey Guys!!
I have started a Tumblr blog (theflyingteapot101.tumblr.com) for atheists and free thinkers and I'd like to add some background music! Unfortunately the only music I could find that was both fun and uplifting and also highlighted the atheist view points was the discography of Tim Minchin (which I have added). I'd love to hear more song titles from you guys that are well suited to the theme of my blog - Atheism and mockery of Political figureheads and featherbrains! Also, the blog is still under customisation but once it's done do pay it a visit! :)
Song Requirements - Satirical and funny (Comedy), Jokes on either God or Politics, Light and Uplifting (no Heavy Metal please)
Cheers
The Flying Teapot
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There's always "Imagine" and any other number of Lennon and/or Beatles songs.
I always found Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen uplifting. I suppose it doesn't right out say there's no god, but if there is, this song isn't in praise of it.
Oh, the John Cale version is probably more uplifting sounding than the original.
I don't find it religious at all. There is no religious language in it. Many artists have recorded Hallelujah but for me this is the most powerful emotional performance of this song I have ever witnessed. Her hand gestures and arm movements are just spectacular! The music is lush and full of the power and majesty that only a full orchestra can give. The arrangement is just incredible and whoever arranged it should have gotten a raise, or at least some well-earned praise. The key change of a Major Third halfway through the song almost brought Simon Cowell out of his chair. Sorry I run on so long but this performance deserves so many more accolades than I can give. And in fact it won the contest for her so without further ado I give Alexandra Burke and Hallelujah;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSgsW9GLerA
Thanks for the link. She has an amazing voice and deserved to win. Though I think they missed the point of the song with the angelic back-up singers and heavenly lighting. I see it as more of a gritty and soul wrenching song.
I agree it's not a religious song per se... The religious overtones put me in mind of a more internal struggle about what transcendence is. Maybe it's a god or supernatural thing, or maybe it's merely the human condition and the pains, joys, sorrows, pleasures that we cling to and to which we ascribe deep, personal meaning. Cohen himself agonized over his original arrangement, wanting every note to be perfect, but I have no real idea of what the song means to him on an emotional and transcendent level. I just know it strikes through the heart of me.
Still, with all due respect to Mr. Cohen, I find the Cale version (which is the root arrangement Buckley's and this X-Factor one are based on) to be perhaps one of the best musical recordings of my generation.
Gave you a like for your cogent analysis of the song. :) I agree the religious overtones were misplaced and I wonder what the man himself would think about that.
I wonder if we could convince the powers that be to give us an arts forum where we could discuss music and the performing arts, indeed ALL artistic endeavors.
Steve Martin, "Atheists Don't Have No Songs", if you like that old-timey sound.
Not sure whether you would consider Rush 'heavy metal' or not, but just in case... Free Will is a great secular song.
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/rush/freewill_20119963.html
(US) Country music is almost always slanted toward believers, but it turns out there is at least one atheist country artist who sings an atheist tune: "God Isn't Real" by Robbie Fulks:
http://robbiefulks.com/music/songs/520-God-Isn-t-Real
Rush are Ayn Rand Objectivists(or at least there were back in the day). So was I until I finally figured out her political and economic ideas were wrongheaded. Not a fan of Getty Lee's voice but they have some good songs.
Congratulations on re-thinking the Ayn Rand bit.
Thanks. :) Got tired of her constant preaching too. And all those snide comments about "collectivists" "moochers" and "looters" remind me of today's Republicans, especially Paul Ryan. Can't really complain about her Atheism but the rest of her philosophy just sucks, for want of a better term. The 1% have found a way to disregard her Atheism and embrace the rest so what does THAT tell you??
I suspect a good deal of the 1% are either atheist or deist themselves. That includes the multi-millionaire TV evangelists as well.
Hello
I doubt my suggestion would be of any help, but for atheist music my top pick might be The Only Way by Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Obviously atheist lyrics: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/e/emerson+lake+palmer/the+only+way_20278297.html
Anyway I'm new here.
I don't remember that song and I go back even further that they did as a band. Not fond of the chord progressions but the lyrics are spot on!
I'm a newbie too, just signed up an hour ago.