Turn, Turn, Turn: Popular Songs Inspired by the Bible - Hardcover

Turner, Steve

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1945470399 ISBN 13: 9781945470394

Publisher: Museum of the Bible Books, 2018

Synopsis

 Did you know...?
· 36% of Bob Dylan’s songs published between 1961 and 1968 had biblical references, including his 1964 hit “The Times They Are A-Changin.’”
· The book of Ecclesiastes has been a great inspiration on popular music including the song “Turn, Turn, Turn” by The Birds, the Pink Floyd album The Dark Side of the Moon, and “Desperado,” the 1973 hit by The Eagles, among others.
· Paul Simon once advised a young prospective lyricist to raid the Bible for memorable phrases. “Just steal them,” he said, “That’s what they’re there for.”

There’s no question that Scripture has influenced music since the first ever song was penned. In Turn! Turn! Turn! author and music connoisseur, Steve Turner, takes an in-depth look at the lyrics and cultural context of 100 of the greatest songs from the 1930s to today to reveal an often overlooked or ignored strand of influence in popular music—the Bible.

Indeed, some of the “greats”—including Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Bono, Johnny Cash, Sting, and others—have repeatedly returned to the Bible for such sustenance, as well as musical inspiration and a framework with which they can better understand themselves.

“I hope the book prompts, provokes, and intrigues as it reveals this often-hidden history,” writes Steve Turner. You’ll never listen to your favorite song or popular tune the same way again after discovering how the Bible has influenced music.

About this title

Book Description

A one-of-a-kind collection of the songs you love to sing along to, but you will be surprised to learn all were inspired by the best-selling book of all time―the Bible.

The story behind the most popular songs since the 1960s that were inspired by, or taken directly from the Bible. From The Birds’ “Turn! Turn! Turn!” to Marvin Gaye's "Wholy Holy” some of the best loved and least likely songs reflect the Bible. Looking at the songs in the context of the time it was written, its influence on the culture, and the way that it incorporates or reflects the Bible will give a different perspective on many of the most loved songs of our time.

About the Author

Steve Turner is an English music journalist, biographer and poet, who has spent his career chronicling and interviewing people from the worlds of music, film, television, fashion, art, and literature. He regularly contributes to newspapers such as The Mail on Sunday and The Times and his many books include Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts, Popcultured: Thinking Christianly About Style, Media and Entertainment, Hungry for Heaven: Rock and Roll and the Search for Redemption, U2: Rattle and Hum, Van Morrison: Too Late to Stop Now, and A Hard Day's Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song. Originally from Northamptonshire, England, Turner’s career as a journalist began as features editor of Beat Instrumental where he interviewed many of the prominent rock musicians of the 1970s. His articles have appeared in Rolling Stone, Mojo, Q, and the London Times, and he has also written several poetry books for both adults and children. He lives in London with his wife and two children.
 

Edition details

• Publisher: Museum of the Bible Books
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1945470399
• ISBN 13: 9781945470394
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 336