Johnny Cash>San Quentin

I recently finished reading Johnny Cash's autobiography. It was good read - gave some insight into what drove the man. Most interestingly he talks frankly about his faith and his failings - clearly evidenced in his music. On the one hand you have the whole 'man in black' thing, his drug addictions and the singing of songs about murder, death and pain. Then suddenly you have what sounds like a sermon and he breaks into a gospel song. You get the feeling that Cash is a man of extremes and probably does everything with a fair amount of gusto!

The live prison albums - Folsam and San Quentin are brilliant examples of his work. The setlists demonstrate the many sides to his character. My favourite track off these albums has to be the song he wrote for the prisoners at San Quentin. This song shows his rebel spirit and the reaction of the prisoners is amazing. Check it out below and thank God for a man with fire his belly and in his heart. We could do with someone to fill his shoes...

Bonnie "Prince" Billy>I See a Darkness

I heard a song yesterday that simply blew me away. It just came out of the blue. I was doing the domestic chores - clearing away the dishes, washing up - and for once I decided to put some music on in the background instead of Euro 2008 football. At first I thought about putting on Coldplay's latest album that I recently bought, but was so disapointed with the first listen that I've not put it on again since. So I hit the random play button! And then the song just started, by the second line I was gripped and by the end, I'm not afraid to admit it, I was in tears.

'I See a Darkness' is written by Will Oldham - AKA Bonnie "Prince" Billy. I'd never heard of him before yesterday, but the version I heard was Johnny Cash's (with Oldham doing backing vocals) on his American III album that I've had tucked away in my collection for a while but not really got around to listening to properly. And the entire song was sublime - voice, guitar, piano, lyrics. I've downloaded Oldham's original version since and it's just as good (I See a Darkness, 1999).

My interpretation of the song (and the lyrics do seem pretty straightforward) is that it's a guy talking to his best mate and admitting that his inner life is dark. And his hope is that his friend will help to 'save' him from the darkness within. It struck me that this one of the roles of church. That our brothers and sisters in Christ can in some way journey with us and help us to confront our inner 'demons' and sin. But of course the honesty of admitting our failings before someone else is a prerequisite. Generally we don't do that very well!

You've just got to hear this song - here it is.

The Beatles>In My Life

'In My Life' probably isn't my favourite Beatles' song, but it is certainly one of the most lyrically moving and searching. Released on Rubber Soul (1965) it became one of the Beatles' favourite songs. Interestlngly, Paul McCartney once claimed that it was one of only two Beatles songs that he and John Lennon disputed composing (the other was 'Eleanor Rigby'). The lyrics certainly belong to John Lennon, but McCartney claimed the music much to Lennon's annoyance. Ironically, it's the overall sense of connectivity within the song that I like - a sense of a present love that rises above even the best of the past and promises an even better future. For Lennon this was likely a human love, probably Yoko Ono, but take it into a different context and the meaning changes. Johnny Cash's moving version on American IV (2002) gives a tone of regret. Another way of looking at it of course, is to see the present love as that of God. Then it becomes a worship song that could easily be sung in church.

Nick Cave>The Mercy Seat

There's no doubt that Nick Cave causes great problems for Christians looking for fellow journeyman in the world of music. On the one hand he promises so much: his lyrics are laden with biblical references and gospel-style songs - many of his songs could comfortably accompany the now obligatory powerpoint presentation mid-service. On the flip side there are few artists who write with such venom and at times such foul-mouthed lyrics. The more conservative Christians tend to write him off as an ally of the enemy. Interestingly, his secular fans are equally troubled by him - they take issue with the religious tones of his music. The more conservative among them suggest his lyrics are simply ironic. Both views are decidedly flawed - neither life nor faith is ever that black and white.

His song 'The Mercy Seat' (Tender Prey, 1988) is a perfect example of the enigma that Nick Cave is. He clearly knows his Bible (he went to church as a child growing up in Australia), and he clearly knows what it is to live the rock 'n' roll lifestyle (drugs and sex also feature heavily in his music). But what a song it is - Johnny Cash did a great cover version (American III, 2000) - and those in The Salvation Army will be interested by the title. Take a look at the lyrics here... The song tells the story of a man about to be executed by the electric chair. The "Mercy Seat" refers both to the throne of God in the heavens, which the man feels he will soon visit, and to the electric chair.

The live versions of this song are far more powerful than the album version and I just love the clip below. For me, there is worship in Nick Cave's music. Worship because it is the real Nick Cave featured throughout, not some kind of pseduo-holy version but the whole Nick Cave, unadulterated, with his dark side and his demons yet to be cast out, but ultimately a man who uses his music to tell God how he feels.

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Johnny Cash>The Man Comes Around

Johnny Cash is a legend, that goes without saying. Whilst tracks like 'Walk the Line' and 'Ring of fire' are undisputed classics, his last two albums American IV (2002) and American V (2006, released posthumously) are for me the most moving as he reached the end of his life. Whilst the power of his voice in the later albums has faded, there is a depth that can only be detected in a man nearing his end. Tracks like 'Hurt' (the stunning cover version of the Nine Inch Nails song) have received air time but I confess to loving the apocalyptic 'The Man Comes Around'. Virtually ever line is taken from Revelation and his voice at the beginning and end of the track makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Given 5 minutes warning of an impending end to the world, I might just slip this track on, sit back and think about what's about to happen...