Check out the official lyric video for the new The Classic Crime track “Holy Water”. The song appears on the band’s upcoming album “How to Be Human” due out April 28th 2017. Pre-order here and get the song instantly.
The Classic Crime - Holy Water
By Brandon J. in Lyric Videos, News | 62 Comments
It appears that ‘holy water’ has put the band in hot water. He he.
I think they’ll be fine.
In reading the lyrics it sounds a lot like Animism and has hints of other belief systems and Inclusivism. With all the debating on cursing the Irony is in what Paul said “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:8 Gd is not the big issues as much a s the damaging theology found in the lyrics.
Have they issued any statements or been interviewed by BC yet? I would like to know where they’re coming from.
The new trend it seems is throwing Gd in your song. I listen to plenty of music with cursing but when it feels like you are making a statement to get attention it is a turnoff for me. I have two toddlers so I do not want to hear a tantrum when i listen to music. As a student of the Bible for 26 years I have found you can manipulate scripture to win an argument. When you start using the Bible to justify an act rather than to learn to become more like Christ then problems arise. A good… Read more »
Anyone listen to the new single yet? Honestly, it might be my favorite song the band has ever written. It capitalizes on all their strengths in a way Phoenix and Vagabonds didn’t IMO. It’s certainly my favorite thing they’ve done since The Silver Cord.
It’s also really encouraging. I needed this song the last couple days, which is really interesting considering how much I didn’t love the tone and theology of the previous song. Bodes well for the rest of the record.
http://substreammagazine.com/2017/04/classic-crime-not-done-yet-premiere/
Ok now I’m just confused! LOL ?
Honestly, my main issue with the song is the song itself. It’s not really classic crime anymore, I feel like they lost what made them – them.
The deal is, every band is allowed to have “the experimental album.” Everybody has it. It’s the kind of thing where you have to be a little more open to understand why they wrote the song the way they did. Sometimes you just get tired of writing rock tunes and it’s refreshing to hear something a little different musically. It’s the same old classic crime in terms of lyrics. I’m not crazy about it either but I still support it because they’re just a dope band.
Yes the G D word was not necessary no matter what context it was meant. Just like many other bands that have recently decided to drop cuss words I’m a bit confused by this band now. I’m very let down by the lyrics
The line “There is no god damned thing in sight” does not abuse the name of God in my opinion (unless it’s just thrown in there carelessly). It’s like saying “There are no red buckets in sight”. Of course, just throwing the sentence out there leads to wild speculations about what it implies in terms of theology. Why is the belief of evolution contrary to Christianity? When God was finished with his creation, he called it “very good”. His creation was complete and perfect. Humanity as a whole has not made progress since then. It has fallen into sin, decay… Read more »
But who’s to say that when sin entered the world, it changed the very fabric of life, and entered evolution.
Sin brougth death into the world (Romans 5,12) and changed the very fabric of life – it ended it. That’s as contrary to life as it can get. The “wages” of sin is death (Romans 6,23). There was no death and no imperfection before sin entered into the world. Creation, everything that lives, is now desperate for redemption, it’s “groaning and in pain” (Romans 8,22).
God said this.
Brandon kind of said everything I was thinking. It’s not merely the language or the theology that bugs me. It’s the in-your-face vibe I get from the lyrics. It reminds me of the stuff Michael Gungor wrote when he came out as an old earth creationist. It’s like, if you feel your beliefs need to progress beyond the Bible then by all means but don’t be condescending to those of us who don’t follow you. It’s funny. I didn’t mind too much KK’s use of language. And I never mind Sufjan’s use. It’s cause those artists are honest and heartfelt… Read more »
So what do y’all think of Pegasus Project by To Speak of Wolves?
Wait, I meant “Ok, I’ll Be A Part Of This World”
I just realized I’m subscribed to more emails from Michael Gungor and Matt MacDonald than anyone else and I’m also more theologically frustrated with both of them than anyone else right now. Lol. 🙂 I think it’s important to remember that when we disagree with someone, we can still enjoy the output AND interact critically with the lyrics without compromising our own values. And for those of us of who believe in Sola Scriptura, we should just expect more of this rather than acting surprised. It’s just the way the world (and Christian culture) is moving. That doesn’t mean we… Read more »
I’m really at a loss here Everyone is letting their immediate “triggered” against a word commonly used as a curse get in the way of what’s being said. Why are you so upset? Look at what is actually being said. There is no person, thing in this world that is damned from God. That is what the term God damned means. And as far as science, why is the belief of evolution so contrary to Christianity. Who’s to say God didn’t create the world and the universe through evolution? It just baffles me the people who still insist that there’s… Read more »
Funny that we’re on a music site, and at the end of the day, what gets people talking isn’t the music, but bickering on who is more/most Christian. It’s the epitome of what drives people from Christianity, I think. Body of work means nothing, you must be perfect or go stay with the heathens outside. I don’t like the chosen lyric., but I’m not going to be the one to judge the Christianness of a person based on a word. Just one thought, on the line immediately following what folks are so mand about: “It’s all deemed good in His… Read more »
I disagree, we are discussing the song at hand and whether or not we like said music. We are living in a world where I can not say anything about you because I may also ( i have) done something wrong. We have taken Matthew 7:5 out of context to the point people believe they can do whatever they want and no is allowed to call them on it. Matthew 12:36-37 tell us to watch our mouths, that God cares about the things we say! James 3:1-12 tells us the tongue is a small part of the body, but it… Read more »
Just curious…did you guys all have a problem in the Hands album Give Me Rest when Shane yells, “G-d d— this place…its taken everything.”
I never got into that album, but I absolutely would have a problem with that, yes.
Even though in context its more of a plea? As in, G-d, (please) d— this place that I hate and has taken away everything from me…?
As I mentioned in another reply, there is no way to put a positive spin on God damning anything. It’s not something we, as believers, should desire.
What about satan and his evil deeds? What about demonic activity? I think more reading and learning needs to be done on what it ACTUALLY means to take the Lord’s name in vain. To ask God to curse or damn something isn’t doing anything about His actual name. It’s asking Him for something. Now, contrast that with flippantly tossing out an “omg” or “jeeebus” as an expression…then you have an issue. At the end of the day though, intention is what really matters. You can go a full day of “polite cursing” with all your darns, fricks, and schnikes…but your… Read more »
Actually there is. It may have been said already, but actually look at what’s being said in this song. Isn’t it there isn’t a God damned bone in this body – or something similar.
It’s not meant as a curse, take the term for what it means. To be damned from God. Matt is saying that there isn’t anything in us that is separated from God.
Can someone point me to where the bible says something similar to “Here is a list of words that it is unacceptable to say no matter what.” Most bible verses pertaining to cursing say something similar to Colossians 3:8 “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” Context is absolutely important to whatever you say. So maybe the change the lyric to “Gosh Darned” instead. What does that really accomplish? It doesn’t change the emotion or meaning of the lyric. It’s like people saying “screw you” or “frick” instead of… Read more »
Some of the theology of the song is questionable I will admit that, but I think we should wait and hear the song in the context of the album before denouncing it.
I tend to agree with this, but after doing some looking it seems Matt may have I diffrent view on things since the last time we heard from TCC in 2012. This is what he said in an article on the alter3post web site, “Singer Matt MacDonald explained the album came about inspired by a significant change in his worldview, researching everything from religion to science to make sense of the world.” if this is true and ever song is full of the same views as “holy water” then I am afraid they have lost this fan which really sucks… Read more »
That would be alternative post website http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/the_classic_crime_release_latest_song_in_five_years_listen
Just to clarify where I’m coming from, what do you think it means to use God’s name in vain?
Further, I said I had a bigger problem with this choice of words than Kings Kaleidoscope saying “f***ing.”
It’s all about context, like I said in my original post. There’s no hard rule, but I know it when I hear it. It’s like looking at a scientific diagram of a sex organ in a textbook. The object itself is generally associated with things of a sexual nature, but in that context it’s not sexual.
I’m not sure why you think I’m addressing you specifically.
I wasn’t trying to make it personal, I was simply clarifying where I was coming from.
When I hear the line, it sounds very emotional and borderline angry (again, I realize that’s my perception of what I’m hearing and may not have been Matt’s intention). It just seems very intentional and even in the context of the song, I don’t see it as being necessary, much less justified.
It might sounds angry to you but I’m not sure how the lyric itself could be angry. He’s stating that everything is good in God’s eyes, that he has not damned anything in sight. That seems pretty positive to me.
My point remains, I don’t see why it’s necessary to use “God.” That’s my hang up with it and I believe it’s very problematic. I struggle to see how any use of that exact phrase can be used positively. What is positive about God damning anything? It seems as though neither of us is going to change our minds (and that’s totally fine). It’s unlikely, in my opinion, that Matt McDonald is ever going to give a clear-cut explanation that will please anyone who is bothered by it (not that he should have to). Bottom line, for me, is that… Read more »
Why would they not use God? They’re referring to God. They’re not using it as an exclamation or swear. They are literally using it to refer to the deity known as God. The lyric itself is about got NOT damning anything.
I’m not sure how you can interpret “There is no God damned thing in sight / It’s all deemed good in his eyes” as God damning something. It specifically says that he doesn’t.
That’s how you’re interpreting it (which, there is obviously not one clear/specific way to interpret it). To me, it sounds like he’s saying “there’s nothing in sight and that’s good,” which frankly, could come off as sounding nihilistic.
How can god deem something good if there’s nothing in sight? That interpretation doesn’t make sense.
Once again, that’s your perspective. And it does make sense if he’s not talking about God being the one who is “seeing.”
John, there are a lot of frustratingly open-ended lyrics in this song, but they flow well and I actually think the lyrics you guys are discussing are very clear cut. I really do think Matt’s riffing on “And God saw that it was all very good” in this line. If it really is how you hear it, I’d absolutely have a problem with it, but reading the lyrics it just doesn’t make any sense to think that. The second verse addresses “you” (the listener) the whole time reveling in God’s creation and then switches to “he” addressing God directly in… Read more »
And just to add a little more fun, I played in band who had a song with the line “if this is enlightenment, why’s it dark as hell?” And had 0 problem with that.
Honestly, I think the answer is right here: “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” I skipped the first part of the verse because we get so focused on it and “the official list” that we skip the important end. If we focused on this second half (like we’re supposed to!) we’d never get into a discussion about which words are too bad to say, debating culture, the times and our upbringing. No one word care. I agree the spirit of the word is key. Replacement negatives and… Read more »
Huge Classic Crime fan! I have really enjoyed there music over the years. I’m am confused buy the G d reference although I think I understand it to mean that God does not hate anything in site, not sure it will be understood by most. The thing that I am most confused about is the chorus, it is sarcastic? Or is it just ment to contradict the last 4 seconds of the song where they actually tell the truth?
After listening and thinking ant talking to my wife, I am convinced that this in no longer a Christian band or even a band with a Christian lead singer. Science, is not Christianity and the words used here are in direct conflict to the Bible and because if that I can not listen. I am not the guy that says you have to only listen to Christian music. I listen to everything. But when I here you sporting things about how evolution is how we are created and God does not care how we live out lives I have to… Read more »
Really, you come with “he believes in science and used a curse word, he can’t be a Christian,” then try to finish with “I might not be a fan”?
I still don’t get how someone takes any hint of bad language and throws all of a person’s morality out the window. Could you imagine if that’s how God judged people? I don’t like such language in my music, but to take that and rip someone’s religious beliefs from him over it is just as morally gross.
I assume you are refrencing my post? Cussing is one thing GD is on a whole different level. Blasphemy is called out in the Bible very clearly. To say that God has not damned any this is incorrect, to say that we all came from exploding stars billions of years ago is in correct. I feel I was duped (not by IVM but by The Classic Crime) into listening to this song, naming it holy water and being from a band that has traditionally had a core value of Godly things, and then flipping the switch as soon as the… Read more »
I have more of a problem with them saying “g.d.” than I had with Kings Kaleidoscope dropping the f-bomb.
In context it says “there is no God damned thing in sight, it’s all deemed good in His eyes.” To me it seems like a different way of saying, as God looked at all He created He said it was good, nothing is damned in creation.
What to think of doing that is something else. It’s like Demon Hunter using the word b**tards on the last album in it’s proper context. Does that mean it should be used?
Even if that’s what Matt intended, it still directly contradicts Scripture. If nothing is damned, then Jesus died for nothing.
I guess I was taking it in the context of the lyrics, taking it as looking out upon an ocean or the stars. I know creation itself has been subjected to futility, our universe being fallen as a whole. Yet, I don’t connect it as being damned like a soul.
I understand what you mean though.
For me, I’ve never actually listened to the band. I was just giving an outside perspective after checking out the song for the first time.
I agree John; looks like the boys have just lived up to their name… If this song means what it appears to be saying, then in context, God looked at the billions of years of death, disease and suffering that He used to make all things, and said it was good. This claim denies the doctrine of special creation, sin and the fall, and ultimately our need for repentance and salvation. This is a faulty view of scripture, and as someone who backed this album on Kickstarter, I’ve got to say I’m disappointed. Was not expecting this, but there seems… Read more »
At this point, it feels like bands are consciously trying to stir things up. I understand the desire for civil discussions regarding hard issues, but this definitely doesn’t seem like a good way to do it and being controversial seems to be the “in” thing, even though it ends up doing more harm than good. I had much more respect for the Bad Christian label at first than I do now.
My opinion Casey is along the same lines. I love all these bands and their melodies are right up my alley. I listen to a lot of music outside the whole “Christian” market, many of which cuss like bandits. When I hear a Christian artist deliberately set out to lay down tracks in a recorded setting with a producer and hours of production/demos/recording in preparation only to drop curse words knowing all too well people will be offended, it kind of just rubs me the wrong way. I understand honesty in life whether that be in our discussions , conversations,… Read more »
This is something I agree heavily with. It’s not the language that bothers me, it’s that it’s deliberately put out there, it’s planned, and it’s planned with knowledge of the likely result. It feels more like a song to rile people up and get in headlines, rather than something organic, as such language usually is (an emotional reaction that is much easier to understand and be understanding towards). This is another example of why I said in another article that I don’t know if Emery is someone I want to support, given what they’ve gone for. They seem very capable… Read more »
I think they give a lot less thought to how Christians in particular will react than you guys think. I’m pretty sure they make the music they want to make and hope people like it. That’s certainly worked for TCC in the past.
I might agree on some of these, but given their label/associates in BadChristian, where it seems like they have a goal to stir stuff up, I think it’s different here. They might not care what others think, but I believe they are aware of the likely reactions.
I don’t think they have a goal to stir stuff up, but rather a lack of restriction from speaking their minds. They’re not pressured to be anyone they’re not, which is what Christian labels can end up doing to bands.
Question for all those who have a problem with this: Does it make you enjoy the song less? I’m genuinely curious. A few years back I wouldn’t buy music that had curse words because it went against my conscience or something, but it doesn’t really bother me at all anymore, and I don’t believe I’m less of a Christian for it! The Classic Crime using those words doesn’t change the fact that I really, really like this song, although it’s kinda sad to think that there was once a time when it would’ve.
For me, it does cause me to enjoy less. But, I love the Kings Kaleidoscope album. There’s a huge difference between most of your four letter words and including God in them, especially for someone who professes (or at least used to?) to be a Christian.
One word Yes! To me this is less about cuss words (there is only one in this song but it is the grand daddy of the all) and more about the way at least in this song that Matt or whoever wrote the song have turned from the truth. God does care how we live, we will be damned to he’ll if we do not live according to his ways, we are not created by stars exploding, we have a creator that know every hair on our head and created us in his own image. This song is in direct… Read more »
Thanks for your response guys, I appreciate and totally respect your views. I guess my take on it is that I am confident in what I believe (I believe in creation and don’t use language like that), though am still willing to listen and support the band even if they may differ from me on such things. One last question, again just out of curiosity and wanting to understand better: Would you be okay listening to this song if the band had never been associated with Christianity in any way? You said earlier that you don’t just listen to “Christian… Read more »
I would say for me it does have a little to do with them being Christian in a band for the other albums they have put out. It has more to do with the direct contradiction to the Bible. There are a ton of rock songs or other wise that I listen to that have 0 to do with God or how much a band disagrees with what the Bible say. But if I feel some one is being blastphimas (sorry jot sure how to spell that.) I will jot listen to that either even tho they have never claimed… Read more »
I was wondering when we’d hear something off of the album.
Sounds great, although I already knew I’d love it. TCC is one of the only bands I’d ever trust enough to Kickstart.