So, last night Amy Winehouse took home a couple of Grammys - 5 to be exact. No one was really surprised - the girl has a truly unique sense of style, songs that make you want to hit ‘buy’ on itunes and a stage presence that oozes intrigue.
My take is that part of what makes her music so appealing is its brutal transparency. Her hit single “Rehab” is a self-referential song telling of her refusal to get treatment for a substance abuse problem, something that the singer only very recently has sought help with. Winehouse is your typical tortured and troubled artist - addicted to both illegal substances and dangerous characters (her boyfriend is currently in jail after fight in London bar) - and willing to fill her work with the truth and pain that such obsessions produce.
It’s rare to watch someone perform and feel as if you’re reading their diary. Such was the case last night when this girl looked into the camera, shook her fingers and said, “You know I’m no good.” Yes, I do.
Seeing her reminded me of a question that I have often wrestled with: why is it that some of history’s most popular and influential artists seem to be so messed up? Why do we like them so much?
Is it that in a sick and twisted world we tend to attach more value to art that is driven from a place of depravity because it fulfills some sinful desire to stare at other people’s problems? In other words, do I like the music of Amy Winehouse for the same reason I slow down when I pass a car accident?
Or is it that art created by broken folks like Winehouse, Cobain, or Rothko, is simply more honest in it’s depiction of life in a broken world - and therefore connects more with people and is more widely embraced? For example, Amy Winehouse singing about rehab is more truthful and real than Hannah Montana going on about how fun it is to be nice to grandma, so therefore Winehouse is considered higher art and gets all the awards.
The bible tells us that mankind’s ability to be an artist is something we (unlike anything else in all creation) shares in common with God. God is ”the” Creator and since we bear his image, we are “mini” creators. When we see art, we see something of God. And perhaps in a fallen world, where everything is upside down because of sin, some of the most truthful and arresting art is that which shows us how desperately we need Jesus? Just a thought.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m the only person who thinks such things while watching the Grammys.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Great thoughts, Matt. Watching Amy’s performance and hearing of her struggles gave me pause.
It seems to me that our culture is simply magnetized by talented public figures, particularly artists (modern media makes that rather convenient). We admire the cost and sacrifice it took for them to get where they are. That’s why I think American Idol is so popular. We love to watch “one of us” put everything on the line, overcome fears and self-preservation, and rise to the top. We love the story and live the experience vicariously through them.
… and for folks like Amy and Brittney, it’s pure drama to see them conquer that which is out of our reach, and yet stumble in the same hazards as is common to us all. Likewise, I think we are captivated by the self-identification – After all, they are just one of us.
“But there for the grace of God go I,” should not be our only sentiment as we see these stories unfold before us. We should ask ourselves, “Why are we so captivated?” Is it Idol-envy? Is it a judgmental spirit? Or is it with compassionate hearts that we would stop and pray for these people?
February 12th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
GREAT questions at the end of your post, Mr. Hyde. I’ve blogged about this before, but in this connected culture these folks are now our “neighbors” and we have a responsibility form Jesus to love them, pray for them and be concerned about them….
February 13th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I agree with Mr. Hyde regarding self-identification. I also wonder if some people who like to sit around and point at others that are more screwed up than they are in order to feel better about themselves. Or is that what you meant by a judgmental spirit? Either way I find it disturbing. Nobody wants to help but everybody wants to stop and look at the crash…almost as if they are entitled to do so.
February 15th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
this is way the nerdy kid in sunday school answer, but i am reminded of how tortured, angry, at times hopeless and transparent David is in the Psalms. feelings that we can all relate to but know that we aren’t supposed to share. maybe some of those artists are just enough off-kelter to not care that everybody’s looking.