James - One Of The Three

I was driving through the Arizona desert listening to James' album "Laid". I liked the songs that had been on the radio- namely "Laid" and "Say Something" but, I hadn't yet been grabbed by the slow aching beauty of the rest of the record. I remember being caught off guard a little by this quiet number with its subtle, understated drumming and atmospheric guitar. Then my mind wrapped itself around what he meant about "you were one of the three" and "you just knew they'd come for you, so it was suicide". I couldn't at that point comprehend how someone could sing a song that indicted Jesus not only for his narcissism but for all of the atrocities that have been committed in his name. It made no sense that someone could blaspheme about the savior of the world. Of course, over time, I finally realized that the odds that the narrator within the song believes that Jesus is real and is really the savior of the world are minuscule at best. Nearly seventeen years on and this song still does it for me. I hope some of you out there enjoy it too.

One Of The Three by James You were one, one of the three One in three must find some peace You were one, one of the three I need proof before belief Oh, well, you just knew they'd come for you So it was suicide, suicide Oh, well, now you got just what you want I hope you're satisfied One of the three You were one, one of the three One in three must find some peace You were one, one of the three I need proof before belief Oh, well, I guess you're not to blame for what they Done in your name, in your name Oh, well, it's a shame you got so famous for a sacrifice One of the three You were one, one of the three One in three must find some peace You were one, one of the three I need proof before belief You sent forth your lamb to the slaughter

James - Ring The Bells

Sometimes this is like my personal anthem about non-belief. I know it could be argued that this isn't strictly about atheism, just about discovering that there is no interventionist god at play in our lives. I.e. it could be about realizing that the deist point of view is correct. However, to me, this is definitely an atheist anthem. I particularly take comfort in the ideas of self reliance and optimism shown in the final verse- if god's out there, he/she/it let's us fall and drown and somehow, we as a species have (through technology and scientific discovery) grown gills and fins (submarines) and wings (airplanes). Note: there will definitely be more James songs on upcoming entries.

Ring The Bells by James Ring The Bells Ring ring the bells Wake the town Everyone is sleeping Shout at the crowd Wake them up This anger's deeper than sleep Got to keep awake to what is happening I can't see a thing through my ambition, I no longer feel my God is watching over me Got to tell the world we've all been dreaming This is not the end, a new beginning I no longer feel my God is watching over me Break break the code Concentrate Let the doors swing open See through all your walls All your floors Now you're in deeper than sleep Got to keep awake to what is happening I can't see a thing through my ambition, I no longer feel my God is watching over me Got to tell the world we've all been dreaming This is not the end, a new beginning I no longer feel my God is watching over me When you let me fall Grew my own wings Now I'm as tall as the sky When you let me drown Grew gills and fins Now I'm as deep as the sea When you let me die My spirit's free There's nothing challenging me