The purpose of art is to communicate that which we cannot communicate with words--our imagination. An artist uses his preferred medium to evoke in the imagination of the viewer the same emotions and ideas that he himself feels and believes. I can tell you that I am sad, but that does not communicate to you the sadness I am feeling. If, however, I sing a sad song, it evokes in you the same sadness I feel in me. This theory of art and imagination was expressed by Kevin T. Bauder, in his weekly article, In the Nick of Time, as a 10 part series entitled The Importance of Imagination.
This theory of art applies to The Black Eyed Pea’s “I Gotta Feeling.” I was recently listening to the song, when the main message of the song suddenly struck me in a way it never has before. I realized how the corresponding elements of the song communicate in harmony the emotions and ideas the performers desire to communicate.
When one listens to the song “I Gotta Feeling,” one is immediately presented with the driving theme--a simple sequence of chords that is repeated throughout the song, underlined by the driving bass line and beat. All of the musical elements contribute to cause the listener to want to move head and body. This desire to get mobile is an instinctual response--one doesn’t even really think about it--one just moves. It is almost a loss of control. This is the musical effect of the song.
It is also interesting to look at the intellectual message of the song, expressed in the lyrics. The main point of the song is the idea of losing control. This is echoed throughout the lyrics of the song, but especially in the line: “Lets go way out spaced out \ And loosing all control.” The lyrics correspond to the musical effect of the song--they quantify in words the concept that is communicated by the music.
The Bible contrasts starkly with this idea. In Galatians 5:22-23, self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. In Titus 1:8, self control is an attribute someone who is to be a bishop in the church must have. In 2 Peter 1:16 it is one of the things that is to be added to our faith so as to bring about fruitfulness in our knowledge of Christ. The opposite is expressed in 2 Timothy 3:3, where being without self-control is a mark of how men will be in the “perilous times” of the “last days.” It is clear that Scripture values self-control and sees a lack thereof as evil.
The contrast here is very evident. The message of The Black Eyed Pea’s “I Gotta Feeling” is clearly contrary to Scripture. It conforms us to the world, rather than transforming us to be more like Christ. It is exemplary of exactly that which Christians should leave behind. Choosing to follow Christ affects even our music choices, as hard a concept as that may be to understand. The music we choose should evoke in us emotions and ideas that are consistent with a Christ-like and Spirit-filled lifestyle.
This theory of art applies to The Black Eyed Pea’s “I Gotta Feeling.” I was recently listening to the song, when the main message of the song suddenly struck me in a way it never has before. I realized how the corresponding elements of the song communicate in harmony the emotions and ideas the performers desire to communicate.
When one listens to the song “I Gotta Feeling,” one is immediately presented with the driving theme--a simple sequence of chords that is repeated throughout the song, underlined by the driving bass line and beat. All of the musical elements contribute to cause the listener to want to move head and body. This desire to get mobile is an instinctual response--one doesn’t even really think about it--one just moves. It is almost a loss of control. This is the musical effect of the song.
It is also interesting to look at the intellectual message of the song, expressed in the lyrics. The main point of the song is the idea of losing control. This is echoed throughout the lyrics of the song, but especially in the line: “Lets go way out spaced out \ And loosing all control.” The lyrics correspond to the musical effect of the song--they quantify in words the concept that is communicated by the music.
The Bible contrasts starkly with this idea. In Galatians 5:22-23, self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. In Titus 1:8, self control is an attribute someone who is to be a bishop in the church must have. In 2 Peter 1:16 it is one of the things that is to be added to our faith so as to bring about fruitfulness in our knowledge of Christ. The opposite is expressed in 2 Timothy 3:3, where being without self-control is a mark of how men will be in the “perilous times” of the “last days.” It is clear that Scripture values self-control and sees a lack thereof as evil.
The contrast here is very evident. The message of The Black Eyed Pea’s “I Gotta Feeling” is clearly contrary to Scripture. It conforms us to the world, rather than transforming us to be more like Christ. It is exemplary of exactly that which Christians should leave behind. Choosing to follow Christ affects even our music choices, as hard a concept as that may be to understand. The music we choose should evoke in us emotions and ideas that are consistent with a Christ-like and Spirit-filled lifestyle.
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