The American Idolization of Song

E-MAIL NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: bit.ly/Ben_Grosscup_Newsletter
CONNECT/LIKE ON FACEBOOK: bengrosscupmusic
"The American Idolization of Song"
By Ben Grosscup
In America and now in many countries
on this Earth
Judges issue televised decrees
On what a song is worth
Contestants seek fame; producers seek ratings
But no one sings along
That’s the creed of the American Idol-
ization of song
Were you waiting for the Queen and King
Of song to be crowned?
Were you sedated or too cool to sing
When the chorus came around?
Has a strange idolatry placed a strain
On our voices to train them to cower
‘Cuz when we sing with purpose together
The idols lose their power
Something in the music
Has gone so very wrong
Turn away, Turn away, Turn away-ay-ay
Turn away from the American Idol-
ization of song
Rejoice at the sound of a person singing
If you feel the inspiration
That voice really wants the open heart you’re bringing
Not your adulation
Look behind the glamor of the contest scheme
There’s a regime that sets the judging panel
Its narrow vision and commercial interests
Fill almost every channel
Something in the culture
Has gone so very wrong
Turn away, Turn away, Turn away-ay-ay
Turn away from the American Idol-
ization of song
BRIDGE
A song is filling up the public square
Tyrants beware this force multiplier
For song can help to change the course of history
By lifting a million voices higher
Something in our voices
Says all of us are strong
Turn away, Turn away, Turn away-ay-ay
Turn away from the American Idol-
ization of song
How long had people sung words of meaning
Before they had TV?
When they sang songs, do you think they were dreaming
About how famous they could be?
Every language, generation, and style
It’s worthwhile to sing with feeling
For song links us to the essence
Of what makes us human beings
I hear harmony and beauty
In that world where I belong
That turned away, turned away, turned away-AY-ay
Turned away from the American Idol-
ization of song
Let’s turn toward each other
My sisters and brothers:
And let’s sing another . . . (turn away!)
Turn away, Turn away, Turn away-ay-ay
Turn away from the American Idol-
ization of song

[@robertcox14]

I write songs like that too. Thanks Ben, very amusing.

[@BenGrosscup]

Thanks! Share one.