Crying out through music about a tortured, faithless soul

[Anonymous]

I’ve always related to the languishing, ennui filled singers/songwriters and film makers. There are plenty of them out there. What causes most of us to sing out? The things of the soul, namely matters of the human condition—things that religion is supposed to help us resolve. There are a few artists who over the last several years have fallen away from their faith and sing beautiful, heart-breaking songs. Personally, I love it like I love a good French film from time to time. The ones that stick out to me are:

David Bazan, formerly known as Pedro the Lion. While writing under Pedro the Lion, his songs were often about faith. Now that he writes under his own name, his songs often center on his loss of faith and the pain and joy that this has brought him.

Blessed Feathers, a nomadic couple whose male member left the Jehovah’s Witnesses when he found greater happiness in the love of his life and music.

Withered Hand, also a former Jehovah’s Witness whose songs are filled with references to the New Testament, Christianity in general, and how he relates to them.

And then there’s George Harrison, whose “Hear Me Lord” has been a staple in my outcry to the skies for half of my life. I still cry out hoping in my hopeful lack of faith to hear a reply.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing SU84. I too feel things deeply through music and art.

[Author]

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