Church ⛪ | 5ive Songs

On the 44^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with CHURCH ⛪ in some form or fashion.  

Welcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On the 44^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with CHURCH ⛪  in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Beyoncé, “Church Girl”

💿 RENAISSANCE • 🏷 Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia • 📅 2022

“Nobody can judge me, but me / I was born free.” True, 🎙 Beyoncé, however, that didn’t prevent the 🏆 Grammy-winning superstar from receiving ample controversy with her phenomenal, 2022 album, 💿 RENAISSANCE.  🎵 “Church Girl” rubbed some Christians the wrong way, namely ✝ Bishop Patrick Wooten who characterized the highlight as a “piece of trash,” “sacrilege,” and mentions Bey’s lack of salvation.  Da-yum Bishop! So, why so much noise surrounding this joint? I mean, Beyoncé and her production team (including 🎛 No I.D.) construct a soulful, gospel-tinged backdrop, which delivers on those churchy vibes.  Furthermore, one of the four samples used arrives courtesy of renowned gospel collective, 🎙 The Clark Sisters (🎵 “Center of Thy Will”).

The problem, for some, is that this sanctified sample, and religious-minded title, eschew traditional Christianity.  You might say those saints disapprove of the likes of “She gon’ shake that ass and them pretty tig ol’ bitties.’” Furthermore, thot-driven lyrics like “I’ll drop it like a thottie, drop it like a thottie” don’t align with such values. Regardless, songwriter (and Clark sister) 🎙 Twinkie Clark thanked Beyoncé for sampling it!  Furthermore, others have come to her defense, including 🎙 Tank and contemporary gospel musician, Deitrick Haddon. “Church girls actin’ loose, bad girls actin’ snotty!”

Appears in 🔻:

• Beyoncé, “Church Girl”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 20 (2022)

2. Coldplay, “Church”

💿 Everyday Life • 🏷 Parlophone • 📅 2019

“And when you’re riding a wave / Oh won’t you ride that wave to me?” Well, won’t you? The rhythmic 🎵 “Church” is the first of several songs on 💿 Everyday Life that makes spiritual references. Clearly, on their 🏆 Grammy-nominated, 2019 album, 🎙 Chris Martin and 🎙 Coldplay had church and spirituality on their minds.  Well, something like that!

Here’s the thing about “Church,” though. The song title is only mentioned in two instances – the bridge and outro. WHAT? “‘Cause when I’m hurt, Then I’ll go to your church,” Martin sings on the bridge. Hmm, that sounds like a different brand of spirituality! Besides this spiritual element unleashed on Everyday Life, there is a cool vocalization in Arabic incorporated into the mix.

3. Mitchell Tenpenny, “Can’t Go to Church”

🎵 “Can’t Go to Church” • 🏷 Riser House Entertainment / Sony • 📅 2020 

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of country musician Mitchell Tenpenny? 🎵 “Bitches”,  of course! The country musician has released songs beyond that eyebrow-raising hit. In 2020, two years after “Bitches,” Tenpenny dropped 🎵 “Can’t Go to Church”. Hmm, seems like he needs to be running to the sanctuary!

“I’ll still do my prayin’ but I’ll do it somewhere else…” Hmm, so what’s the problem Mitch?Well, here’s the deal with Tenpenny. The reason that he can’t go to church isn’t because of his spiritual views – it’s because of matters of the heart.  “I ain’t tryin’ to avoid that place / But I don’t know what else to do,” he sings on the bridge (of sorts), continuing, “I don’t wanna see her face / Sittin’ in the front pew.” Later, he even adds, “She gets the church, she gets the Bible / I get the hurt, I get the bottle.” As you can imagine, such a dramatic, emotional song – one that’s four-and-a-half minutes long – gets an equally dynamic, powerful backdrop (🎛 Jordan Schmidt produces). I was as surprised as anyone when the reason for Tenpenny not going to church ended up being because he was avoiding a woman as opposed to spiritual reasons. “Can’t Go to Church” is definitely an intriguing country record featuring solid vocals and interesting songwriting.

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: January 2020
  

4. Hozier, “Take Me to Church”

💿 Hozier • 🏷 Rubyworks / Columbia • 📅 2014

🎵 “Take Me to Church” was a no. 2 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 – a huge, breakthrough hit for Irish singer/songwriter 🎙 Hozier. Furthermore, the standout from 💿 Hozier (2014) was 🏆 nominated for the Grammy for Song of the Year.  Listening emptily, it’s easy to see why it was a massive hit.  Who doesn’t enjoy a song that references sex?  Considering the depth of its subject matter analytically, it’s almost unbelievable it achieved the commercial accolades it did.

In a NY Mag interview, The Irish singer/songwriter describes the song as being about sex, humanity, and disdain for the church “teaching shame about sexual orientation.”  The lyrics of the song confirm those strong feelings:

“My church offers no absolutes

She tells me ‘worship in the bedroom’

The only heaven I’ll be sent too

Is when I’m alone with you.”

Furthermore, in the interview, he tackles the influence of the church in Ireland, and homophobia in Russia. Key lyrics, such as “We were born sick, you heard them say it,” confirms this.   Throughout its course, “Church” amplifies blasphemous references to make a statement.  Ultimately, that statement is that all humans, regardless of sexuality, should be able to love and be with whomever they’d like.

Appears in 🔻:

• A Compendium Comprised of 100 Notable LGBTQ+ Songs
• 15 T Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason

5. Dottie Peoples, “Little Wooden Church”

💿 Count on God • 🏷 Atlanta International • 📅 1996

“Very little money was raised / But so many souls were saved / Talking ‘bout a good time  / Oh yes, a mighty, mighty good time.”  Ah, 🎙 Dottie Peoples delivered a surefire, spirit-filled gospel classic with 🎵 “Little Wooden Church” (💿 Count on God, 1996). The production is spirited, featuring gospel instrumentation including keys and choir (🎙The Peoples Choice Chorale), as well as adding some punchy horns. On this contemporary, yet traditional-styled black gospel joint, the 🏆 Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter recollects her own unique experiences in church.  “As I let my mind go back / I can see the little wooden church,” she sings, adding, “Sitting by the railroad tracks / Just a little shabby ole place / We used to sing ‘Amazing Grace’.” Although the church building itself was modest, and those collection plates didn’t yield much, the spirit and the lessons taught and instilled were gargantuan.

Adding to the throwback nature of this contemporary gospel record is incorporating a traditional spiritual, 🎵 “None but the Righteous” (“None but the righteous… shall see God,” “I know got religion,” and “Take me to the water”). It’s fitting considering the nostalgic spiritual experience Peoples imparts, including personal anecdotes, like “I can see ole Deacon Johnson over in the corner when his soul caught fire,” or “By then, my Big Mama be happy…tears running down her face, she slowly get up and raise her hand.” Ultimately, years after arriving, “Little Wooden Church” never gets old.  Even if this isn’t your spiritual experience, it’s compelling and reminds us to remember simpler, less complicated times, and, of course, laud The Most High.

Appears in 🔻:

• Dottie Peoples, “Little Wooden Church”: Sunday Refresh 🙏 17 (2021)
• 13 More Songs That Provide That Spiritual Refresh

Church ⛪: 5ive Songs No. 44 (2022) [📷: Atlanta International, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Columbia, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Parkwood Entertainment, Parlophone, Pixabay, Riser House Entertainment, Rubyworks, sergio souza]