I've heard of a lot of Christian music groups but I have only heard of a few atheist or agnostic groups or musicians. What are some of your favorite atheist musicians or songs to listen to?
I listen to what I like irrelevant of the performers' beliefs
Does blatantly satanic death metal count?
Some of the Sting's song I find quite spiritual like Field of Gold or Desert Rose.. I think Sting is non-religious. But I am not sure.
you'll find a lot of agnostics and atheists in punk rock and heavy metal and if you're looking for something more extreme listen to black metal where there's a very strong anti-christianity message especially the Norwigian bands they have taken to burning churches
I love the bands Bad Religion, XTC , NOFX, Nine inch Nails
Since I absolutely do not listen to any Christian rock I never thought about atheistic music. I enjoy a lot of different genres and frankly never thought about a potential atheist vibe in any of it.
I'd might be wrong but I think Radiohead consists of a largely non-religious set of members. The lead singer is definitely non-religious although he did previously display some interest in Buddhism. I wouldn't say that their music spreads a particularly "atheist" vibe like Christian bands do with theirs though.
Jeff Buckley’s album Grace including his cover of Leonard cohens “Hallelujah” is one of the few records that really comes to mind for me as atheist music. Then the obvious few singles: imagine, only the good die young, and superstition are great anthems for skeptics of course. I think the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Hendrix, most of the great psychedelic n British Invasion artists were ostensibly hedonistic atheists if that’s a criteria... Run the Jewels is some great godless rap. ? Regina spektors song “laughing with” is good.
XTC Practically wrote the atheist anthem with “Dear God”. It’s from the album “Skylarking” produced by Todd Rundgren, and I believe it’s one of the best albums ever recorded.
Interestingly, “Dear God” was a B-Side that quickly caught on fire as a hit, so Skylarking was immediately re-pressed and re-released to include that song. College radio was largely driving alternative music then. I don’t think that sequence of events could occur in the years since. And imagine the Fox-Murdoch uproar if that song was released today.
Also, Morrissey is an outspoken atheist and many lyrics reflect that. I highly recommend “I Have Forgiven You, Jesus”
Great thread. Great answers!
Steve Martin has a fantastic atheist song. Check it out.
That is some fast extreme Trem Picking. I sure would love to know the trick to consistant speed like whats in this song. It is not to bad of tune, but I usually go for something with a little more groove added into the extreme speed.