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TechnoratiI want to point out in a very similar vein, I would rather argue a more bold way. The label that launched Switchfoot and Sarah Grove a few years ago was relaunched by EMI Christian Music Group. Since they relaunched, it’s been an exclusively mainstream label. It doesn’t even have Christian market distribution. It’s artists that are starting up a labor, but are making music for the world at large.
They have that same thing in mind. They want to be with a label that won’t try to tell them what to put in their lyrics because they have to write some lyrical imagery that will get them on Christian radio. They just want to sing about music that they can be proud of. That’s what the label is doing, giving the artists the freedom to do that.
OK, to end this interview, what in your opinion are the three most important qualities that a good Christian song needs?
Swartzendruber: You know, it’s interesting. I wish I could say I came up with this, but I got it from Francis Schaeffer. He actually got it from scripture. You know, where it goes “whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” So what I say is that Christian artists need to be good, true, and beautiful. Those are the three things that Christian music needs to be held up to. Is it good? Is it excellent? Is it true? Is it in line with Christian worldview, and is it beautiful? Does it resemble God’s great hand of creation?
On the web: ‘CCM Magazine’.
