Spiritual Impulses in Rock and Pop Music Lyrics
It was only quite recently that I became aware of the spiritual context of Bob Dylan‘s Señor (Tales of Yankee Power) even though it was released on the B side of Changing of the Guards as well as the 1978 album Street Legal, which also contains Love in Vain.
Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia must have been inspired by a supernatural sphere when singing about living water: "a fountain ... not made by the hands of men."
Muhammad Ali called himself "The Greatest". Greg Trooper hinted at Ali's spiritual side with his song "The Meaning of Christmas."
The narrator marrying Isis, their break-up, his adventures, and their reunification may symbolize a spiritual path connecting a seeker to his spirit-soul.
While sensitive people may regard Heavy Metal as too hard, Metallica's To Live Is To Die shows very subtle sensitivity, which can be related to Taoist wisdom.
One of the most successful singles of all time, the combination of the lyrics and the original video of Wake Me Up may encourage us to follow our soul's voice.
Santana not only describes the world of opposites and suffering, but also hints at a way out. The solution is already present, if only we learn to perceive it.
A lyrical masterpiece supporting a variety of interpretations, we look at the song from the perspective of a fallen soul seeking the path of salvation.
This song may be catchy partly because it relates to a deep level of the soul: the initial separation from the field of unity. On the way back we may be confronted with wounds from the past.
Oh Sister, like many Dylan songs, can be interpreted on various levels: a relationship of siblings, a love affair, possibly with biographical references? From a spiritual perspective, it may be the spirit aspect addressing the soul aspect in man.