Husker Du

Too Far Down
(click on the song title to find a link for hearing a sample)

I always liked the musical sound of Husker Du when I was in High School. They were a unique group that was a mix between punk/grunge/hard rock and even some elements of being unplugged (although never fully). While this description isn't real helpful, I find that they had a unique sound with Bob Mould. Since Mould's departure, they aren't quite the same group. Lyrically, they were known for having some cryptic-enegmatic words. Even the song that I chose to highlight, it is a bit confusing. Here are the lyrics:

I'm down again And I don't know how to tell you

But maybe this time I can't come back Because I might be too far down

I wish for real

That I could turn it on and off

Like hot and cold and up and down

Because I'm down again I'm too far down

I couldn't begin to smile

Because I can't even laugh or cry Because I just can't do it

If it was so easy to be happy Why am I so down?

All I can do is sit and wonder if it's going to end Or if I should just go away forever

When I sit and think I wish that I just could die Or let someone else be happy

By setting my own self free And you don't want the emotion

Because the taste it leaves is for real But nothing's ever real until it's gone

And I might be too far down And is this just another thrown away Or is this the end of the whole stupid road

But you wouldn't want to know how I feel anyway Because the darkest hole is at the end of the road I'm down again And I guess I'm not the only one who dreams That there's not any way to tell you Because I might be too far down

Well, clearly this is a song about depression and the intense pressure of despair. This song doesn't really tell us why the depression exists but only that it is real. In fact, the statement about "setting my own self free" is probably a reference to contemplation of suicide. What does God say about these things?

Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 "So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my hear found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."

It is nothing new to look at life as empty. In fact the word vanity carries with it the connotation of emptiness. So, you may pour yourself into a project, hobby, relationship or a money making endeavor but you will find in the end it is really vain.

Is the answer suicide?

No, you will not set yourself free. In fact, you may very well be setting into motion your eternal existence of suffering in punishment.

The answer: Colossians 3:1-4

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

No person can truly possess hope (the Biblical definition of hope is desire & expectancy) without the Gospel. Unless, you recognize that you sin and are awaiting to be judged by God one day of sins, and that you need to trust the Lord Jesus Christ to bring forgiveness of sins and to reconcile your relationship with God ... you will still remain in the hopelessness of what the world has to offer. But if you have trusted in Jesus Christ for your forgiveness of sins, (the Gospel) you don't need to be stuck in the pit of depression. This passage in Colossians tells us that our mind's eye should be focused on our relationship and eternal existence in His presence.

Depeche Mode

Walking In My Shoes
(click on song title to hear a sample)

This band is borderline new wave and alternative. Depeche mode has been around for a long number of years but I was thinking about one of there songs just recently. Therefore, I thought I would review one of their songs and see how it lines up theologically.

I would tell you about the things they put me through
The pain I've been subjected to
But the Lord himself would blush
The countless feasts laid at my feet
Forbidden fruits for me to eat
But I think your pulse would start to rush
Now I'm not looking for absolution
Forgiveness for the things I do
But before you come to any conclusions

Try walking in my shoes Try walking in my shoes You'll stumble in my footsteps
Keep the same appointments I kept
If you try walking in my shoes
If you try walking in my shoes Morality would frown upon
Decency look down upon
The scapegoat fate's made of me
But I promise now, my judge and jurors
My intentions couldn't have been purer
My case is easy to see I'm not looking for a clearer conscience
Peace of mind after what I've been through
And before we talk of any repentance
Try walking in my shoes Try walking in my shoes You'll stumble in my footsteps

Keep the same appointments I kept If you try walking in my shoes If you try walking in my shoes Try walking in my shoes
Now I'm not looking for absolution Forgiveness for the things I do But before you come to any conclusions Try walking in my shoes Try walking in my shoes You'll stumble in my footsteps Keep the same appointments I kept
If you try walking in my shoes You'll stumble in my footsteps Keep the same appointments I kept If you try walking in my shoes Try walking in my shoes If you try walking in my shoes Try walking in my shoes

Melodically, I can appreciate the song's gritty dance groove that combines heavy electronics with Depeche Mode's usual harmonies. That is where the appreciation for the song stops. The blasphemy is what first startles me: "I would tell you about the things they put me through the pain I've been subjected to but the Lord Himself would blush"
I wonder if ignorance could be claimed here? Read Isaiah 53 and then realize that nobody holds a candle to what Jesus experienced in pain, suffering, isolation, being deserted, being labeled a criminal even though Jesus was making propitiation. It kind of makes you want to say to Depeche Mode ... you need a reality check dudes, the universe doesn't revolve around you - get off your high horse!

The other thing that I notice about this song is that it isn't written to ask for forgiveness. In fact, the mere thought of repentance is rather offensive: "before we talk of repentance try walking in my shoes"
While, the lyrics claim to not be seeking a justification of one's hidden sins, that is what they really are seeking. It reminds me of Romans 2:14-16 "For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus." Clearly, you don't make a song proclaiming all the things that are before your feet as a music superstar, unless you are seeking to defend your conscience. Depeche Mode has done a good job of doing what any lost person does, defending their actions from sin against their conscience.

Recommendation: Don't listen to be edified, but be reminded of the ugliness of sin and the hardness of heart.