Coldplay, Excellence and Ultimate Things

A few weeks ago 60 Minutes ran a fascinating story on the band Coldplay as a sort of lead-in to the Grammy Awards on CBS. I've been meaning to post about the last couple weeks but a bout with asthmatic bronchitis shelved a lot of good intetions.

Coldplay has become one of the biggest bands on the planet - their signature sound has been imitated by other artists and bands, including those who produce worship music for the church. They've sold millions of records (and a few more since the Grammys). On their MySpace page Chris Martin, the lead singer, describes the band's sound as "very heavy soft rock". At the church where I used to lead worship my drummer would know what I meant when I said "give me a Coldplay beat" - that instantly recognizable drum riff. Or, sometimes when I play piano I find myself grativating towards the Chris Martin riff (check out their song "Clocks").

I was struck by two things in particular when watching the 60 Minutes feature (you'll find the YouTube videos below if you want to check it out):

1) The band's commitment to excellence
The four guys in Coldplay take their music seriously - it was fascinating to see inside their "studio" and the list of rules they have when creating albums. As a band they take regular time to write and work out ideas. Their commitment to their craft has paid dividends. Martin puts it this way: "We can do the best with what we've got". He admits that he is not as talented as other performers or musicians (although I think he is being modest) but that what he lacks in ability he makes up for in passion and perseverance.

The excellence and diligence with which Coldplay pursues their craft is worthy of emulation, especially for those of us who serve on worship teams in the church. Coldplay is motivated by a desire to be the best they can be, to create something that is sonically interesting, to gain the respect of their peers, and, well, making a profit. As lead worshippers our motivation is to glorify God through the use of our talents so as to help others encounter and enjoy His greatness and presence. Therefore, how much more should we seek to honor God by offering Him our best? How we could not want to GROW FORWARD when God has endowed us with talents we'll one day be accountable for? (Matt. 25:14-30 & 1 Cor. 3:10-15).

Paul had this to say about giving God our best:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Col. 3:17

A few verses later,

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not
for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a
reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." - Col. 3:23-24

In everything we do we look to honor God by offering Him our very best - as my pastor use to say, "How we can offer anything less than our best when God offered His best - His Son?" Now, we all know excellence can become an idol at the expense of authenticity, heart and the like. But the ideal is to offer the best of both our HEART and ART - it shouldn't be an either/or but and/both.

2) Their undying quest for the "perfect song"
In the interview Chris Martin shares that he and his bandmates are ultimately looking to write the "perfect song." Again their singleminded focus is commendable in one respect, however elusive their goal might be! There is a sense that Martin's first joy and passion is THE song, THE music. Finding that perfect combination of melody, chords and lyrics. It's what drives him.

As lead worshippers our ultimate passion should be for knowing Christ and for making Him known. Music is a means to that end, but music can't replace the joy of knowing Jesus. Music is a wonderful gift from God, and His Word tells us that it can aid us in worshipping Him. However, the danger for any of us involved in leading corporate worship is that the music can subtly become the end rather than the means. Or, we see the music as a quasi-magical mediator of God's presence - like we need the "perfect" songs to conjure up God's presence. We all know better than to think that but sometimes our (my) attitudes and decisions say otherwise.

We should strive to write and use the songs that best help our congregations worship God in spirit and truth. But our ultimate passion is to know and enjoy God.

Here's the 60 Minutes video:

Some have noted Christian overtones (implicit rather than explicit) in Coldplay's latest album Viva La Vida - I found the following comment on these overtones helpful:
http://www.protestantpontifications.com/?p=650#comment-871