Re: REQUEST : hinduism and rock music
Posted By Kathi (rudra@singnet.com.sg)
Wed, 22 Jan 1997 23:46:53 +0800
Vanyo, Bill wrote:
>
> "Shikha" <sakl0001@gold.tc.umn.edu> wrote:
>
> >I'm writing an article on Hindu themes/images in western rock and pop music
> >and I am having trouble finding detailed information. Some Rock bands have
> >Hindu Names (e.g. Nirvana, Vishnu's secret, etc.), others use Hindu imagery
> >in their lyrics and videos (e.g. Tom Petty, Joan Osborne, etc.) Do you know
> >of any others? Has any one read any articles on this topic? If so could you
> >point me in the right direction? Any suggestions are most welcome!
>
> >Thanks,
>
> >SM
> >sakl0001@gold.tc.umn.edu
>
> >Mail posts to: ghen@netcom.com : http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/
>
> First, you should know that Hindu themes/images have been present in
> rock music since (my guess/estimate) the mid 60's, and the Hindu
> influence is related/connected (though I'm being ambiguous as to
> exactly how) with the psychedelic drug culture influence.
>
> >From my own modest music collection:
>
> The Beatles album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1967) has a
> song entitled "Within You Without You" which has a distinct Indian
> influence, both in the music and lyrics. It's the only song on the
> album written by George Harrison, who later went on to write "My Sweet
> Lord", a beautiful song, still popular, with obvious Hindu influence.
> I've attached the lyrics at the end of this post.
>
> The album cover of The Jimi Hendrix Experience album "Axis: Bold as
> Love" (1967) was based on Hindu imagery, though the music resembles
> nothing Hindu - indeed nothing that existed before it.
>
> Lesser known, The Moody Blues album "In Search of the Lost Chord"
> (1968) has a song entitled "OM", very tranquil and worth a listen -
> again very definite Hindu influence. This album also contains the
> song "Legend of a Mind", which venerates the late Dr. Timothy Leary
> (well known LSD "guru").
>
> Even lesser known (and my personal favorite) is the two record set by
> 'Yes', entitled "Tales from Topographic Oceans". 'Yes' was a rather
> well known band, but this album was way over the heads of most popular
> rock music fans, and was never very popular. It consists of four
> songs, each about 20 minutes long (another reason for it's lack of
> popular appeal). Notes in the album cover indicate the entire work
> was inspired by a lengthy footnote in Paramhansa Yoganada's
> "Autobiography of a Yogi", that footnote describing a "four part
> Shastric Scripture" (Shrutis, Suritus, Puranas, Tantras). The music
> is beautiful and deeply spiritual (to my listening), though not always
> easy listening (like life). It is my personal favorite classical rock
> album. You won't hear (at least I don't) any Hindu influence in the
> music though, and the lyrics are totally abstract (as with almost all
> lyrics by 'Yes').
>
> Well, there you have it. Here's the George Harrison lyrics:
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> George Harrison
> My Sweet Lord
>
> My sweet Lord
> Mm, my Lord
> Mm, my Lord
>
> I really want to see you
> Really want to be with you
> Really want to see you, Lord
> But it takes so long, my Lord
>
> My sweet Lord
> Mm, my Lord
> Mm, my Lord
>
> I really want to know you
> I really want to go with you
> Really want to show you, Lord
> That it won't take long, my Lord Hallelujah
>
> My sweet Lord Hallelujah
> Mm, my Lord Hallelujah
> My sweet Lord Hallelujah
>
> I really want to see you
> Really want to see you
> Really want to see you Lord
> Really want to see you Lord
> But it takes so long, my Lord Hallelujah
>
> My sweet Lord Hallelujah
> Mm, my Lord Hallelujah
> My my my Lord Hallelujah
>
> I really want to know you Hallelujah
> I really want to go with you Hallelujah
> Really want to show you, Lord Ahh
> That it won't take long, my Lord Hallelujah
>
> Mm, mm Hallelujah
> My sweet Lord Hallelujah
> My my Lord Hallelujah
>
> Mm, my Lord Hare Krishna
> My my my Lord Hare Krishna
> Oh, my sweet Lord Krishna Krishna
> Ooh, ooh Hare Hare
>
> Now, I really wanna see you Hare Rama
> Really wanna be with you Hare Rama
> Really wanna see you, Lord Ahh
> But it takes so long, my Lord Hallelujah
>
> My Lord Hallelujah
> My my my Lord Hare Krishna
> My sweet Lord...
> Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Guru Rama, Guru Vishnu, Guru
> Deva, Hare Shwara, Guru Sasha, Hare Andara, Tashna Shrivi, Guri Nava,
> Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
> --
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Mail posts to: ghen@netcom.com : http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/
Hi
Pls also check out the following bands:
1. Name of Band: Shelter
Type of Music: Hardcore
Influence: ISKCON (Hare Krishna Movement)
Note: This band is very heavy and very good. If interested check out
their latest album entitled 'MANTRA'
2. Name of Band: Kula Shaker
Type of Music: Indies
Influence: ISKCON
Note: This is a new band. Very listenable. Now a hit in MTV.
3. Name of Band: Cynic
Type of Music: Jazz Death Metal
Influence: Paramahamsa Yogananda
Note: This band has disbanded. They only managed to release one album
entitled 'Focus'. One of my favourite bands. The CD might not be
available anymore.
Om Shanti!
Kathi
