Every generation Experiences the death of iconic figures that are specifically unique to their generation. In the last few months, you have probably heard someone say, "it sure seems like many of my favorite, singer/actor/band are dying off!" While this expression is true for the current generation, it is not something that is endemic to just our age. It is however, something we experience at a much more media energized pace as we have more knowledge regarding our generations icons, as opposed to Doris Roberts (the Matriarch on Everybody Loves Raymond, who passed away recently with a long movie and television career). The Notes wonders how the passing of singer/actress, 92 year old Doris Day will be covered when she passes. We suspect it won't be covered for 3-5 days in the news cycle as was the case for the death of the 57 year old Artist Formerly Known As Prince who is at the heart of today's Notes.
"Let's
Go Crazy" was Prince's second #1 hit on the Billboard 100. It followed
on the heals of "When Doves Cry" which also appeared on the soundtrack
to Purple Rain. "Let's Go Crazy" was the song that opened the
movie as well as the song Prince used to open many of his concerts
during the decade of the 80's and beyond. Some musical historians even
claim the lyrics to "Let's Go Crazy" to be an encouragement to follow
Christian principles. The lyric "Are we gonna let De-eleveator bring us
down", "De-elevator being a metaphor for the Devil. Tuesday's Musical
Notes is somewhat skeptical based on the "fruit"of Prince's labor,
however we leave it for you the reader to make the determination.
(Caution: if you go to read the lyric contained in "Let's Go Crazy"
there may be some items you consider offensive. As with many of
Prince's lyrics, read with this in mind) "Let's Go Crazy" lyrics by genius.com
On
the flip side, Prince had his share of trouble and tragedy. He had
repeated disagreements with his record label, Warner Brothers, over the
release of his music. In 1993, these disagreements finally resulted in
change of his name to an unpronounceable symbol, 
, or the easier "Artist
Formerly Known As Prince" (easier, really? Radio eventually went to
calling him simply, The Artist, yup much easier!) in protest of the
treatment he was getting from the label.
, or the easier "Artist
Formerly Known As Prince" (easier, really? Radio eventually went to
calling him simply, The Artist, yup much easier!) in protest of the
treatment he was getting from the label. The vast majority of Prince's music is sexually charged. So much so that Democrat Al Gore's wife, Tipper formed the Parent's Music Resource Center after hearing her daughter listening to the Prince song "Darling Nikki". This center advocates for the black and white "Explicit Material" and "Parental Advisory" labels on all albums judged to contain material that is unsuitable for minors. Al Gore was at the time the Vice President of the United States and record labels "voluntarily" complied with the request. This label had the opposite effect in making the albums much more popular to music fans who would purchase the labeled albums over the "bleeped out" versions in protest.
Tuesday's
Musical Notes suggests that followers of Jesus read ALL of the lyrics
to their favorite music and allow Holy Spirit to guide them in their
musical selections. In that regard, it is incumbent on believers to do
their homework before engaging media of ANY type in our culture. This
would include audio, visual or print media. Temptations abound in all
of them. There is a children's hymn that begins, "Oh, be careful
little eyes what you see...". It then segues into other sensory
activities that as created beings we get to enjoy. All the while
remembering that..."The Father up above is looking down in love..."
Note that He is looking down in love. Not disappointment. Not anger.
Not disgust. But love. You see my friend, as a child of God, we
require a loving discipline from God when we blow it. And of course, we
will blow it. Paul reassures us in this way as he was writing about
God's loving discipline in his letter to the church of the Hebrews:
Hebrew's 12:1-11 New International Version of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible parallel
The music of Prince Rogers Nelson,
,
The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, The Artist, and finally again, Prince, will be
remembered as being equally brilliant, while being boundary pushing. It
will be remembered as poingnant, "When Doves Cry", "Nothing Compares 2
U" (made popular by Sinead O'Conner). It will be remembered as fun,
"1999, "Manic Monday" (recorded by The Bangles (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Walk Like An Egyptian")"
and today's feature song "Let's Go Crazy". For the follower of Jesus,
it must also be remembered and viewed through the lens of Holy Spirit.
With his guidance, it's ok to use the euphemism of going crazy to have
some fun, it's one of the ways we "get through this thing called
life...so...let's go crazy"
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
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