Secular hymn (genre)
 | This article possibly contains original research. (October 2018) |
A secular hymn is a type of non-religious popular song that has elements in common with religious music, especially with Christian
Simon and Garfunkel, "Let it Be" by the Beatles, and "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor, which came out at about the same time.[1] "Hallelujah" (which was written by Leonard Cohen in 1984, but only became famous when Jeff Buckley's 1994 version redefined the song)[2] has since been called perhaps the quintessential secular hymn[1][3] despite the lyrics containing strong Jewish themes.[4]
Other songs that are sometimes mentioned as secular hymns include "
Imagine" by John Lennon, "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, and "Million Reasons" by Lady Gaga, and many others.[1][5]
Determining exactly what does and does not qualify as a secular hymn is obviously difficult. Professor Steve Thomsen,
BYU communications professor, suggests six criteria including that the song transcends generations, that it is about redemption or deliverance, that it has spiritual overtones, that it includes metaphors referring to up or down and/or to light and dark, that its meaning transcends initial purpose, and that it has become used as a backdrop for important life events.[6] Richard Wilson suggests a secular hymn needs only to be written as an anthem with a positive theme that does not gloss over the difficulties of life.[5]
References
- ^ a b c "Music of solace for the season". CBS Sunday Morning. December 23, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ^ "How Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' Became Everybody's 'Hallelujah'". The Atlantic. The Atlantic Monthly Group. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ^ Yudelson, Larry. "A new and very Yiddish 'Hallelujah'". Jewish Standard. Jewish Standard. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ a b "Hallelujah and Other Assorted Secular Hymns". Wilson Picked It. September 14, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ^ Atheist, Friendly. "The Six Rules That Define "Secular Hymns"". Friendly Atheist. Retrieved November 1, 2017.