Two Songs About Joy

About two weeks ago, I attended church the day directly after the Pride parade in Middletown, CT. I tend to remember bits and pieces of the sermon each week, and what stuck with me this particular Sunday was this proclamation: "shame is the number one inhibitor of joy in our lives".

That message was relevant in light of the weeks festivities. First Church had a large presence on Main Street in Middletown for the Pride event, including but not limited to a booth, a float/marchers, and the handing out of stickers that read "God Loves You- and so do we". A brochure read "A little off Main St. . . in more ways than one", which represents a clever hint that weds our location (Court st, right off Main) and the church's bold open and affirming stance to all sexual and gender identities.

This celebration of the full spectrum of humanity, one that inched my heart forward towards possessing a sort of general love and acceptance of all people, brought to mind two songs.

First, we have perhaps one of the most perfect pop songs I think has come out since Outkast's "Ms Jackson", in the form of Lizzo's "Juice". This song of radical self love and affirmation greets us with a few major key guitar chords that try to wash away inhibition. As the song transitions from the verses to what we assume is the chorus, we learn we're in for two desserts, not one. The guitar chords continue to make it rain as Lizzo sings that it "if I'm shining everybody gonna shine/ I was born like this don't even gotta try", which seems to constitute a perfect pop chorus. However, the song takes yet another turn on the dance on the floor, introducing us to what I'll call the second chorus: "Ain't my fault that I'm out here getting lose". This song is more than a snack. If you're looking for a pop song- it's the meal.

On the other side of the coin of this joy equation, we consider Pedro the Lion's (David Bazan) "Powerful Taboo". Over a standard-fare indie rock template of droning guitars that rev up for a heavier tone for the chorus, big Dave reflects on his religious upbringing that encouraged him to "deny his senses/ be a stranger to yourself". I don't think Dave is suggesting any sort of hedonism or hurtful behavior here, but rather, he rightfully questions any sort of moral system that imposes weight rather than grace, taboo's rather than a sensible plea for all of us to live lives that are fully human.