Anybody else notice the scattered religious terms and references on the record? The Arc on "Sweet," the halleluja chorus on "Shake," and a few others I can't recall at the moment. I'm guessing these are Bobby's influence given his *uncle's* gig (thanks Hugh) and his admission that he probably would've gone into the 'hood (...brotherhood of God that is) if music hadn't worked out for him.
Kinda cool when personal traits come through in the music, he's still showing his roots after all the crazy years of sex, drugs, rawk and Canadian fame.
...now where the hell's my rosary?
Last year during The Tragically Hip tour of 2004, I saw 14 shows and was able to speak with Robbie on numerous occasions. During one of those conversations I asked Robbie how it was growing up and being in a band with a Dad who was a judge (his dad is retired now).
He told me both of his parents were supportive and encouraged him to explore his musical talents. He also told me that most of the people in his immediate family are either agnostics or atheists. Robbie tended to follow these same beliefs, except for a short period when he became interested in the Bible and thought about becoming a preacher like his Uncle. But then he found an interest in rock n roll and left behind thoughts of the Bible and becoming a minister, and as they say, 'the rest is history'. At the time, Robbie told me he was an agnostic.
Well, armed with this information I was interested in finding out from Robbie if his views on religion had changed since I spoke with him last. Knowing that Robbie had written some of the lyrics, I asked him after the show at The Mod Club in Toronto, if he was still an agnostic and if so what was up with all the Biblical references in the lyrics. He laughed and told me that he was actually an atheist and left it at that.
The next day in London, I saw Craig Northey and Robbie at a radio interview which was being held in a local bar. After it was over there was an autograph session and I spoke to Craig about how it was to write songs with Robbie. He told me Robbie had written music for most of the songs. Some had incomplete lyrics and some had no lyrics at all --- just music. Craig said he helped Robbie flesh out the incomplete ones and he wrote lyrics to some of the others with just music, based on the feeling or idea Robbie was trying to get across with that piece.
So what is the purpose of this rambling story? I believe that the Biblical references in the lyrics are mostly from Craig, based on what he and Robbie told me. Also Craig refers to the Biblical references in this interview when speaking about SWEET N LOW:
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Also, it suprised me that Robbie took the part of Ciaphus in the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar', knowing that he didn't follow religion. But that part has always been cast with a baritone voice, which suits Robbie perfectly.
It may not have occurred to you, but many atheists are actually familiar with the Bible and can pepper their work with biblical references. Using a biblical reference doesn't make you, or your songs, religious.
Think of John Steinbeck and East of Eden, for example.
Or think of Dylan, whose work was full of references to Christianity long before his brief (and probably disingenuous) conversion.
Finally, a reference to the Hallelujah Chorus is not a religious reference, it's a musical reference. I'm an atheist, and Handel's Messiah is one of my favorite works of music. So?
Hugh23 Wrote:Last year during The Tragically Hip tour of 2004, I saw 14 shows and was able to speak with Robbie on numerous occasions. During one of those conversations I asked Robbie how it was growing up and being in a band with a Dad who was a judge (his dad is retired now).
He told me both of his parents were supportive and encouraged him to explore his musical talents. He also told me that most of the people in his immediate family are either agnostics or atheists. Robbie tended to follow these same beliefs, except for a short period when he became interested in the Bible and thought about becoming a preacher like his Uncle. But then he found an interest in rock n roll and left behind thoughts of the Bible and becoming a minister, and as they say, 'the rest is history'. At the time, Robbie told me he was an agnostic.
Well, armed with this information I was interested in finding out from Robbie if his views on religion had changed since I spoke with him last. Knowing that Robbie had written some of the lyrics, I asked him after the show at The Mod Club in Toronto, if he was still an agnostic and if so what was up with all the Biblical references in the lyrics. He laughed and told me that he was actually an atheist and left it at that.
The next day in London, I saw Craig Northey and Robbie at a radio interview which was being held in a local bar. After it was over there was an autograph session and I spoke to Craig about how it was to write songs with Robbie. He told me Robbie had written music for most of the songs. Some had incomplete lyrics and some had no lyrics at all --- just music. Craig said he helped Robbie flesh out the incomplete ones and he wrote lyrics to some of the others with just music, based on the feeling or idea Robbie was trying to get across with that piece.
So what is the purpose of this rambling story? I believe that the Biblical references in the lyrics are mostly from Craig, based on what he and Robbie told me. Also Craig refers to the Biblical references in this interview when speaking about SWEET N LOW:
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Also, it suprised me that Robbie took the part of Ciaphus in the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar', knowing that he didn't follow religion. But that part has always been cast with a baritone voice, which suits Robbie perfectly.
Interesting stuff for sure, Craig also notes biblical influences on the "song by song" deal on their website. And you're right, it was Rob's uncle who was the minister, not his dad, I mixed them up. He actually mentioned it to me at the Bobcaygeon video shoot, and I know Wendy recently had a conversation with him about it as well. Seems everybody's reminding him of the religious stuff, even if he doesn't mean to bring it up.
skippy the wonder dog Wrote:I'm an atheist, and Handel's Messiah is one of my favorite works of music. So?
Funny, I believe in God, yet I can't get enough Sabbath.
And for the record, the references I mentioned are without question religious references:
"Shake"
"Hallelujah we are saved" is one lyric, a full Kingston gospel choir backs the song, they also appear on Horses and Trains. This 'aint a Handel cover, this is a Sunday morning cover.
The self explanatory "Sweet" stuff:
"Melvin's voice was there at the start
When they built the Ark
Lambs laid down to his southing sound"
"Forbidden fruit took down the troops
Now there's just one last Temptation"
And from Northey himself: "Biblical references abound. Consequently Rob chose to play ______ in the Kingston production of "Jesus Christ Superstar."
I guess Craiggers didn't know the name of the character at press time.