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How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry

christiandailyjournal.com

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Re: How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry

#11

Post by pluma »

peterburkimsher wrote: post #3

Hillsong music is simple, catchy, and easy to play. If a teenager can pick up a guitar and lead their friends to sing along with easy lyrics, it'll be a hit. A satirical take on this is How to Write a Worship Song (In 5 Minutes or Less). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhYuA0Cz8ls Translations of Hillsong music into other languages are also popular. 約書亞樂團 Joshuaband translate some songs into Chinese, and it was a hug…

I always have to smile when I hear "Spirit in the Sky" used in a religious context as if it's a genuine worship song.

Re: How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry

#12

Post by socceroos »

As a conservative, I've never really paid any attention to Hillsong stuff. What I did hear of typical pentecostal music struck me as pretty shallow and.....commercial. Admittedly as an ignoramus, I do wonder how they get around tax exemption while they rake this all in.

I know you can't brush everyone with the same stroke, but it feels reminiscent of those mega-pastors that fly around in their private jets to shake hands and take selfies with the poor - the message becomes a sideshow to the brand. It makes me uneasy - but, disclaimer, I don't really know on the pentecostal spectrum of commercialism where they lie.

Re: How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry

#13

Post by sjcsjc »

pluma wrote: post #11
peterburkimsher wrote: post #3

Hillsong music is simple, catchy, and easy to play. If a teenager can pick up a guitar and lead their friends to sing along with easy lyrics, it'll be a hit. A satirical take on this is How to Write a Worship Song (In 5 Minutes or Less). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhYuA0Cz8ls Translations of Hillsong music into other languages are also popular. 約書亞樂團 Joshuaband translate some songs into Chinese, and it was a hug…

I always have to smile when I hear "Spirit in the Sky" used in a religious context as if it's a genuine worship song.

Your comment reminds me of Johnny Cash covering Personal Jesus.

Re: How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry

#15

Post by dwd »

socceroos wrote: post #12

As a conservative, I've never really paid any attention to Hillsong stuff. What I did hear of typical pentecostal music struck me as pretty shallow and.....commercial. Admittedly as an ignoramus, I do wonder how they get around tax exemption while they rake this all in. I know you can't brush everyone with the same stroke, but it feels reminiscent of those mega-pastors that fly around in their private jets to shake h…

The Hillsong founders are actually worse where allegations of child abuse were covered up so as to not damage the brand... https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/23/hills...

Re: How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry

#16

Post by protomyth »

RickJWagner wrote: post #14

Hillsong is influential, no doubt. But I bet in the long run, even more influential will be the music from 'Veggietales'. (Sort of like 'Schoolhouse Rock'. Very catchy, and popular with all ages.)

Had to replace the batteries in one of their books. I get the feeling it will not be a one off event. Catholic school gave one of the books to my niece.

Re: How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry

#17

Post by wbl »

peterburkimsher wrote: post #3

Hillsong music is simple, catchy, and easy to play. If a teenager can pick up a guitar and lead their friends to sing along with easy lyrics, it'll be a hit. A satirical take on this is How to Write a Worship Song (In 5 Minutes or Less). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhYuA0Cz8ls Translations of Hillsong music into other languages are also popular. 約書亞樂團 Joshuaband translate some songs into Chinese, and it was a hug…

I am not a Christian, but I feel like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ffg4mU7FNE&t=2s is far more divine sounding then someone with a guitar as in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io2WOQ-3aVs . Sadly my faith tradition is stuck with Debbie Freedman.

Re: How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry

#18

Post by whatthesmack »

rezeroed wrote: post #9

My sister's involved with Hillsong. A scam if ever I saw one. I no longer have anything to do with her.

Would you mind elaborating? I personally enjoy the music Hillsong puts out, but am always curious about the inner workings of an organization such as theirs.

Re: How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry

#19

Post by explorigin »

wbl wrote: post #17
peterburkimsher wrote: post #3

Hillsong music is simple, catchy, and easy to play. If a teenager can pick up a guitar and lead their friends to sing along with easy lyrics, it'll be a hit. A satirical take on this is How to Write a Worship Song (In 5 Minutes or Less). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhYuA0Cz8ls Translations of Hillsong music into other languages are also popular. 約書亞樂團 Joshuaband translate some songs into Chinese, and it was a hug…

I am not a Christian, but I feel like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ffg4mU7FNE&t=2s is far more divine sounding then someone with a guitar as in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io2WOQ-3aVs . Sadly my faith tradition is stuck with Debbie Freedman.

It's all about culture. If you were influenced by a high-church growing up, you're more likely appreciate hymns.

People that converted without a high-church context gravitate toward a more modern style of worship.

The downside of so much hillsong influence is that it dominates a culture and drowns out other modern styles. I feel like all hillsong songs sound the same.

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