This list of songs is inspired by lists published by radio station KEXP-FM from Seattle in 2010, as well as the latest poll taken in 2021 by Rolling Stone Magazine. For the most part I will faithfully countdown from their lists, starting at Song #500 and going until I reach Song #1. When you see the song title listed as something like: Song #XXX (KEXP)….it means that I am working off of the official KEXP list. Song XXX (RS) means the song is coming from the Rolling Stone list. If I post the song title as being: Song #xxx (KTOM), it means I have gone rogue and am inserting a song choice from my own personal list of tunes I really like. In any case, you are going to get to hear a great song and learn the story behind it. Finally, just so everyone is aware, I am not a music critic nor a musician. I am a music fan and an armchair storyteller. Here is the story behind today’s song. Enjoy.
KEXP: The Top 500 Songs in Modern Music History.
Song #422: I Am The Resurrection by Stone Roses.
The Stone Roses are from Manchester, England. They burst on to the UK music scene in the late 1980s, just after The Smiths and The Happy Mondays had established themselves. The Stone Roses were hailed as the next big thing at the time. Their self-titled debut album contained their biggest hit, “I Wanna Be Adored”, along with “She Bangs The Drum” and “I Am The Resurrection”. The band consisted of Ian Brown on vocals, John Squire (lead guitar), Mani (bass guitar) and Reni (drums).
This particular song, “I Am The Resurrection” reads like a break-up song. In it the male sings of having enjoyed the relationship but now feels happy to be past it. However, most people feel that the message of the song is either about one, of two, things:
1- Ian Smith was a vocal critic of organized religion and, in particular, what he believed was the hypocrisy that lay at its core. Smith’s issues with organized religion were myriad and included topics such as The Catholic Church preaching about abstinence when pedophilia was rampant among priests or that Christianity held up Jesus as an example of the humble lifestyle parishioners should follow, all the while building ornate cathedrals for themselves. Lines from the song such as,
“Turn, Turn, I’d wish you’d learn, there’s a time and place for everything...” are said to be a play on the song, “Turn, Turn, Turn” by The Byrds, which is famously based on a Bible verse from Ecclesiastes.
2- If I was the one making an educated guess, I am more apt to say that the song is a break-up song disguised as an homage to The Beatles. As you may know, John Lennon famously caused a media storm when he was asked about the popularity of The Beatles and he answered by saying that in his opinion they were more popular than Jesus and that, by extension, Christianity was in decline and that Rock n’ Roll might just end up outlasting it. The Stones Roses song, “I Am The Resurrection” picks up on that theme by denouncing Christianity and ending with Smith proclaiming that he (Rock n’ Roll) is the real resurrection and the source of everlasting life.
The song is, also, noteworthy because it plays in two parts. The first half of the song is the traditional music and lyrics combined while, the second half of the song is all instrumental. The guitar work through “I Am The Resurrection” has been hailed as one of top guitar performances in UK Music history. So, with that having been said, it is time for you to experience “The Resurrection”, Stone Roses-style! Enjoy.
The link to the music video for “I Am The Resurrection” by Stone Roses can be found here. ***The lyrics version can be found here.
The Stone Roses have a website that can be accessed by clicking on the link here.
Thanks to KEXP for helping to inspire the writing of this post. A link to their website can be found here.
***As always, all original content contained within this post remains the sole property of the author. No portion of this post shall be reblogged, copied or shared in any manner without the express written consent of the author. ©2021 http://www.tommacinneswriter.com
One of my favorites, didn’t know that about Ian. Interesting!
Thanks for commenting. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.