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George Ezra, Iggy Azalea, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Rise Against are among musicians appearing on “Songs Where the ‘Savior’ isn’t necessarily God.” 

Savior, defined by Merriam-Webster as “one that saves from danger or destruction” or, “one who brings salvation… Jesus.”  Often, those who are Christian often associate savior with Jesus. However, aside from contemporary Christian music and gospel music circles, the first definition is often utilized.  This list features 11 songs by secular artists where savior isn’t necessarily God. There is one exception, quite fitting courtesy of Blake Shelton.  Otherwise, the Justin Bieber Manchester sermon, “God is good in the midst of evil,” isn’t part of the script here…

 

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1. George Ezra, “Saviour”

Ft. First Aid Kit

Writers: George Ezra & Joel Pott | Producer: Cam Blackwood

Staying at Tamara’s • Columbia • 2018

“Being your own saviour, saviour

Is it saving you?”

Naturally, given its title, “Saviour” has its share of religious references.  The aforementioned lyric, which commences the first verse, plays on the notion of faith and lack thereof.  While there’s a religious undertone, it centers more on a romantic relationship as opposed to one with God or some other deity.  The chorus confirms this relationship, again playing into religion brilliantly, with the suggestion that one partner can only offer so much, and it’s not sufficient.

“All of me is all for you
And what I’ve got to give is not enough
It’s a dark night
All of me is all for you
And what I’ve got to give is not enough
It’s a dark night.”

Verse two references both the devil and Christ, but the reference to Christ is more ‘in vain’ as opposed to laudatory. Nonetheless, its ranks among the most brilliant lyrics from the song.

“I saw the devil dance for you

Crying out, Christ you’re bad.”

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2. Iggy Azalea, “Savior”

Ft. Quavo

Writers: A. Morris, Akil King, Amethyst Kelly, Henry Walter, I. Devaney, Kyle Owens, L. Stansfield, Lukasz Gottwald, M. Simmonds, Myjah Veira, Quavious Marshall | Producers: Cirkut & Manhun Glow

Savior – Single • Island • 2018

“Savior” opens with bright, exuberant synths and tropically-tinged production work. Despite the optimistic sound, the record is set in a minor key. Iggy Azalea delivers agile, pop-rap on the first verse, contrasting her hard-nosed, tougher persona. Quavo follows the verse, dropping the catchy, if simple sung chorus.

“I been lookin’ for a savior

I been lookin’ for a savior

I been lookin’ for a real one to hold on to

I been lookin’ for a savior…”

The second verse by Azalea is more straightforward rap as opposed to pop-rap. Beyond the second Quavo hook, Azalea serves up a brief bridge – a small but welcome contrast.

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3. St. Vincent, “Savior”

Writers: Annie Clark | Producer: Jack Antonoff & St. Vincent

MASSEDUCTION • Loma Vista • 2017

Within Masseduction, Savior” contrasts balladry of preceding track, “Happy Birthday Johnny,” for more groove. For the most part, groove dominates the album as a whole.  Surprisingly, given the normal association of savior, it ends up being incredibly kinky. The record commences with naughty lyrics.

“You dress me up in a nurse’s outfit

It rides and sticks to my thighs and my hips

You put me in a teacher’s little denim skirt

Ruler and desk so I can make it hurt.”

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4. The Lox, “Savior”

Ft. Dyce Payne

Writers: Alvertis Isbell, David Styles, Isaac Hayes, James D. Fowler, Jason Phillips, Sean Jacobs & Steven Sherrill | Producer: Dayzel “The Machine” Fowler

Filthy America…It’s Beautiful • 2016 • Roc Nation

“It’s my behavior with the razor make ‘em call on a savior
All that p89 rubber grip with the laser
If I’m riding I’m a gun hold n***a
Pretty quiet, but in a riot, I’m strapped like ‘let’s go, n***a.’” – Sleek Louch

From the jump, it’s clear that The Lox’s “Savior” is going to have plenty of saving grace.  Isaac Hayes serves as the ultimate fuel for the fire, via sampling the soul gem, “Hyperbolicsyllablecsesquedalymistic”.  As far as heavenly ambitions, that’s simply not the case here.  As aforementioned, Sleek Louch is ready to blow somebody’s brains out.  On the hook, Dyce Payne’s way to “make it out” is fatality:

“Like how we gon’ make it out

I think I got it all figured out

‘Cause there’s a body in the parking lot

Hallelujah savior.”

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5. Blake Shelton, “Savior’s Shadow”

Writers: Blake Shelton, Jessi Alexander & Jon Randall | Producer: Scott Hendricks

If I’m Honest • Warner Bros. • 2016

Blake Shelton bucks the secular trend of this savior playlist. On “Savior’s Shadow,” Shelton lauds God, eschewing the blasphemy of his contemporaries.  On the chorus, he sings:

“Though the devil tried to break me

My sweet Jesus won’t forsake me

When I’m in my savior’s shadow

Where I’m supposed to be.”

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6. We Came as Romans, “Savior of the Week”

We Came as Romans • Equal Vision • 2015

Compassion and forgiveness aren’t part of the script for We Came as Romans, at least in regards to “Savior of the Week.” Neither is love, save for anger over a bad relationship, thanks to a girl who’s “always gonna chase…never gonna change,” etc. While the band utters savior numerous times, none of them are uttered in the context of Christianity.

“Who’s gonna be the one, one
Breathe the air in your lungs, lungs?
Who’s gonna be the savior of the week?
Looks like you fell in love, love
‘Til the next one shows up, up
You gotta be the easiest to please
Who’s gonna be the savior of the week?
Who’s gonna be the savior of the week?”

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7. Black Veil Brides, “Saviour”

Writers: Andy Biersack, Jeremy Ferguson & Luke Walker

Set the World on Fire • Republic • 2011

Andy Biersack is willing to be a savior, or so it seems on “Saviour.” While the lyrics aren’t totally sacrilegious, they also not devout or intentionally Christian.

“I will take this burden on

And become the holy one

But remember I am human

And I’m bound to sing this song.”

Clearly, religion influences the lyrics, but “Saviour” wouldn’t be an appropriate selection for your traditional, Christian service.

“So, hear my voice remind you not to bleed

I am here

Saviour will be there

When you are feeling alone, oh

A saviour for all that you do

So, you live freely without their harm.”

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8. Taking Back Sunday, “Sad Savior”

Writers: Adam Lazzara, Eddie Reyes, John Nolan, Mark O’Connell & Shaun Cooper | Producer: Eric Valentine

Taking Back Sunday • Warner Bros. • 2011

The same year Black Veil Brides got into the savior action, so did Adam Lazzara and Taking Back Sunday.  This one definitely has nothing to do with Jesus.  That said, there is clear imagery used to describe the song’s protagonist.

“That brutal youth

Exhumed and removed

Entombed in a box

Cached ‘cross your room

It slows our momentum

Each time I’m reminded it’s there.”

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9. Rise Against, “Savior”

Writers: Brandon Barnes, Joe Principe, Timothy McIlrath & Zach Blair

Appeal to Reason • 2008 • Interscope

“That’s when she said,
‘I don’t hate you, boy, I just want to save you
While there’s still something left to save.’”

After some variety at the top of this list, rock bands continue to dominate this playlist of savior songs. Tim McIlrath and Rise Against have one of the more popular savior songs, at least when searching ‘savior’ in a digital music outlet/streaming service.  The aforementioned lyrics serve as the first half of the chorus, where she wants to save him.  Clearly, it’s not spiritual, and even more interesting, ‘the word of the hour’ isn’t uttered. The chorus continues:

“That’s when I told her,

‘I love you girl, but I’m not the answer,

For the questions that you still have.’”

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10. Thirty Seconds to Mars, “Savior”

Writer: Jared Leto | Producers: Thirty Seconds to Mars

A Beautiful Lie • Virgin • 2005

We’re getting older now. Taking it back to 2005, Jared Leto and Thirty Seconds to Mars earned most of their attention for “The Kill (Bury Me)”, a terrific record. Still, A Beautiful Lie also featured a song pertinent to our list entitled – you guessed it – “Savior.”  Like Rise Against, Thirty Seconds to Mars eschew using the word, merely implying it.

“Don’t save me, don’t save me
‘Cause I don’t care
Don’t save me, don’t save me
‘Cause I don’t care.”

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11. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Savior”

Writers: Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, Flea & John Frusciante | Producer: Rick Rubin

Californication • Warner Bros. • 1999

“Dusting off your savior

Well, you were always my favorite, always my man

All in a hand.”

Ah, we close with the oldest song on the list! Red Hot Chili Peppers sends us out with their own “Savior,” hailing from the 1999 Grammy-winning album, Californication.  The central word of our playlist appears on the first lyric of the first verse, as aforementioned.  Lyrically, there is ample ambiguity, which adds a layer of complexity. Ultimately, it sounds like Anthony Kiedis is singing about his dad, who is imperfect, but still the man.

“Dusting off your savior

Forgiving any behavior, he’s just a man

All in a hand

Your hero’s destined to waver, anyone can

Always my man.”

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