Larry Norman was an early exponent of Christian Rock Music, and as such was often confronted by those who felt that this musical format was essentially evil. In response to these criticisms he wrote a song called ‘Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?’ Here is Larry explaining it in his own words.
I suspect that the problem is more to do with the perceived origins of the music itself. Music in white, western culture is based on melody, from the earliest church polyphony to the oratorio. But rock music is based around rhythm and finds its origins in the black cultural traditions of the spiritual and the blues. There may even be something racist in the reaction that many Christians have to rock music (not that all of it is good!). However recently people have been covering both pop and rock music and with minor changes to the lyrics have shown that any song can be repurposed.
Here is Rebecca Shocklee, known professionally by her stage name Beckah Shae, an American Christian singer-songwriter, with her version of Camila Cabello’s song Havana. The essential rhythmic quality remains whilst the words take on a different meaning.
Not to be outdone, Philippa Hanna a British singer-songwriter from Sheffield has taken Ed Sheeran’s massive hit Perfect and reworked it as Christian anthem.
I think these songs show that music in itself is neutral and it is what make of it, that will determine to whom it belongs.
