Here’s a song by Low on religious murderers.
Lyrics:
One more thing before I go
One more thing I’ll ask you Lord
You may need a murderer
Someone to do your dirty workDon’t act so innocent
I’ve seen you pound your fist into the earth
And I’ve read your book
It seems that you could use another fool
Well I’m cruel
And I look right throughYou must have more important things to do
So if you need a murderer
Someone to do your dirty work
Interesting lyrics, boring song.
I just checked out the studio version and it’s much more interesting than this live acoustic version. It’s still really slow in tempo, but they have a lot more going on sonically. I really, really like it. Will have to check out more. I had only heard of these guys and from the descriptions assumed I wouldn’t like them but really do dig this.
I love this song by Low, one of their best. It always sends chills up my spine (“Well, I’m cruel, and I look right through…”). It reveals the actual nihilism behind religious fanaticism. Its interesting that it was written after 9/11, but the person praying in the song could be any religious fanatic about to commit some horrific crime (interestingly, Alan & Mimi are Mormons).
This song ought to get more circulation.
“(interestingly, Alan & Mimi are Mormons)”
I guess that’s why he sings “And I’ve read your books”, (plural) rather than “book” as noted in the lyrics.
But while the content is quite interesting, it’s still a bit of a boring song.
I agree. This is an absolutely chilling song. Allan Sparrowhawks interpretation of the meaning is almost as chilling. He definitely thinks on a different level then most people.
He doesn’t give an easy moralistic answer but seems to be channeling the destructive passion found in religion. It made me think that christinaity is basically a male religion that has to do with the destructive side of creation, a yin without a yang or thanatos.
From an A.V. Club interview with Low:
AVC: Did global politics play at all into the inspiration for the album, though?
AS: It must have. There are definitely songs in there that as I was writing them, I was getting images or thoughts along that line. I have a hard time calling it a political or social statement; I feel like it’s kind of beyond that. It’s more questions like, what is man, and who are we that we kill ourselves and kill each other and wreck everything, and is there any way to get beyond that? Is there any way to answer that, and is there any way to go beyond it if there is no answer? Some of the songs are angry. “Murderer,” for sure, was influenced by world situations. I remember watching a documentary and being very angry about it. It was about this violent gang in Mexico that tortured women and just… I don’t want to go into it. But it just makes you so angry. You’re thinking, “What would I do in the presence of these people?” I hope the song is larger than my little petty feeling. But if there’s any specific example from the record, I guess that song is the most obviously influenced by seeing something that was going on in the world and opening up a window to this whole question of, “What happens when you feel justified so much that you’re willing to come before God and stand as a murderer or someone who will exact vengeance on someone else?”
http://www.avclub.com/articles/alan-sparhawk-and-mimi-parker-of-low,14084/
I’ve seen Low play live three times. Wonderful band.
Another appropriate and relevant song would be “He Talks To Me” by The Nails.
I can’t hear God talking to me because the UFOs talks SOOOO loudly.