Goodbye, Larry (1947-2008)  

Posted by Benjie in , ,


Yesterday, Christian music pioneer Larry Norman died. He shook the rock world by writing and singing lyrics that really said something. He rocked the church world by insisting that Christ followers didn't have to stick to one type of music - namely, a type of music that puts you to sleep rather than wakes you up. Songs like "U. F. O." and "Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation" Norman influenced generations of modern Christian artists. He made us think about the end of time with "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" and helped us to think outside the box when it came to our faith and life. Here's one of my favorite Norman songs, and I think a tribute to all that he was:

Why should the Devil have all the good music?

I want the people to know that He saved my soul
I still like to listen to the radio, they say
"Rock and roll is wrong, give you more chance"
Feel so good, I wanna get up and dance

I know what's right, I know what's wrong, I don't confuse it
Well, all I'm really tryin' to say
Why should the devil have all the good music?

I've been filled, I feel okay, yeah
Jesus is the Rock and He rolled my blues away

They say to cut my hair, they're drivin' me insane
Grew it out long to make room for my brain
But sometimes people don't understand
What a good boy is doin' in a rock n' roll band

There's nothing wrong with playin', playin' blues licks
If you've got a reason, I want to hear it
Why should the devil have all the good music?

I've been filled, I feel okay, yeah
Jesus is the Rock and He rolled my blues away

I ain't knockin' the hymns, just give me a song that has a beat
I ain't knockin' the hymns but give me a song that moves my feet
I don't like any of 'em funeral marches, I ain't dead yet

All I wanna, I wanna, I wanna say
Why should the Devil have all the good music?
All I wanna, I wanna, I wanna say
Why should the Devil have all the good music?

All I wanna, I wanna, I wanna say
Why should the Devil have all the good music?
All I wanna, I wanna, I wanna say
Why should the Devil have all the good music?

Jesus told the Truth and Jesus showed the Way
One more thing I'd like to say
They nailed Him to a cross, they laid Him in the ground
But they shoulda known they can't keep a Good Man down

And I feel good every day, I don't want to lose it
All I wanna I wanna one more time now
Why should the devil have all the good music?

I been filled I feel okay

Jesus is the Rock and He rolled all my blues
Jesus is the Rock and He rolled all my blues
Jesus is the Rock and He rolled all my blues away

This entry was posted on 25 February 2008 at 4:23 PM and is filed under , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

2 Reader Response(s)

Anonymous  

I think there was a cd titled "One Way" or something like that which had remakes of his music. I loved "Wish We'd All Been Ready".

2:21 PM
Benjie  

The album (including the title track "One Way" remade by the sister group Serene & Pearl) was released in 1995. It is a great tribute to Norman with artists like Geoff Moore, Rebecca St. James, and dc Talk (who remade "I Wish We'd All Been Ready").

Thanks for stopping by.

2:56 PM

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