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New Derek Webb Song Does, In Fact, Use S-Word

David Sessions    May 14, 2009    20 COMMENTS    SHARE

Derek Webb song sympathetic to gays, uses s-wordThis blog's idle speculation that Derek Webb's new album might be held up by the s-word seems to have gotten around to pretty much everywhere. And from what we've been able to gather from a couple of people who have heard live versions of the song, it criticizes Christian treatment of gays and does, in fact, include the word "shit." Problem is, we haven't heard it ourselves, so unfortunately no lyrics are around to be quoted. (Yet.) If you happen to recall the lyrics of the song or have a recorded copy of it, send it to us ASAP.

Most of the response on the interwebs has been supportive (see the excessive number of comments on our last post) of whatever Derek he decides to do, even if it's putting "shit" on a Christian record. Several of you made the astute point that it's hardly heroic to present yourself as a martyr over swear words when you're on a Christian label, because you, um, kind of know they're not going to go for that. It'd also be rather childish to make a scene just to get the freedom to curse. But most of us give Derek more credit than that; while a little less self-seriousness might be good here, I think the subject matter of this song is serious enough to be called "important," even if he does say so himself.

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  1. It’s not the s-word. It’s the gay thing. It’s always the gay thing.

    — Kevin Erickson · May 14, 03:57 AM · #

  2. I just hope he doesn’t end up just going apostate like David Bazan from Pedro the Lion.

    — David Hoos · May 14, 10:23 AM · #

  3. Bazan was never as insightful a believer as Webb. So it’s unlikely. Either way, I’m really looking forward to this track. The whole album, honestly.

    — John Wofford · May 14, 04:49 PM · #

  4. How about his music sucks and is just plain shitty.

    — jdm3 · May 14, 05:46 PM · #

  5. Ok JDM3, how is that relevant to the debate?

    I for one am anxious to hear the new song, and the new album. Not because i want to see what all the fuss is about, but for the simple fact that I enjoy his music and enjoy his way of saying what he thinks needs to be said despite perceived consequences.

    — Luke · May 14, 07:44 PM · #

  6. I’m just hoping Webb doesn’t go down the path of “the Bible’s verses on homosexuality are misunderstood and out of context.” It was like when Jay Baker was trying to reconcile loving those verses in Romans with not being homophobic, like there was no middle ground for hating the sin, but loving the sinner. I can’t see Webb doing that, but it’s happened before so many times. Why can’t you just take Scripture for what it says without being labeled homophobic?

    — zach · May 14, 10:49 PM · #

  7. I didn’t even know Derek Webb HAD a new album coming out (teehee). Good publicity stunt.

    — Dre' · May 15, 12:49 PM · #

  8. Just let him release the song already. That’s all it is, a song, and an effort by a very self-conscious artist to be self-consciously relevant. And speak to all those Christians he knows who “hate” gays. Give me a break. All the real problems pressing down on us, all the people who need to hear he gospel, and PATROL goes all ‘this is important’ because Derek Webb want to say “Sh*T” in a song. Oh, wait a minute, I need to read about how “Wolverine” is a paradigm example of how to preach the Gospel.

    — Joe · May 17, 12:01 PM · #

  9. Assuming he did use “that word” and it is about homosexuality then…I have no problem with tasteless words like “shit”. It can be argued that even Paul used the Greek equivalent. I think however that it was a poor choice by Derek to use it in this song. Had he not then we would know for certain what the label feels about lyrical meaning. We would know that the label has a problem with anything that goes astray from the typical sugar-coated, jesus lyrics we typically see coming from Christian so-called “artists.”

    Sadly the issue can’t be hammered out for sure since the label can avoid all controversy by simply citing the cursing as it’s main reason for rejection.

    Should Webb decide to call their bluff, then we can really see what’s going on.

    Or maybe it’s a brilliant marketing campaign to get some attention for a new album?

    — Nathan · May 17, 05:58 PM · #

  10. “shit” + gay = TOTALLY NOT CHRISTIAN

    — Joel · May 18, 09:43 AM · #

  11. lol, joel…

    — alan · May 18, 06:21 PM · #

  12. I for one want to hear the music at least before I pick up stones in the street. I mean, Derek Webb has proved himself an artist (a rarity in contemporary Christian music) and I can understand his stand for the artistic integrity of his work. Is it too much to ask to wonder if God might be honored through a thoughtful look at the church’s treatment of persons with different sexual preferences or even a curse word? Even if Webb is purposefully pushing the borders, isn’t he following in the footsteps of Christian writers like F. Beucher who purposefully encourages the church to wonder alound about even it’s most sacred beliefs? Surely, God is bigger than homosexuality and the “S” – word. And I’d venture that He’s not scared of either as well.

    — Andy · May 19, 08:30 AM · #

  13. How about figuring out the password to get to the new album and then we can ALL have a listen!

    — Amanda · May 19, 09:55 AM · #

  14. I guarantee this is nothing more then a massive marketing ploy by him and his label. it’s hilarious. if you look at his site; it’s designed too well to be a genuine “announcement”. and why would they shut the site down but still post the letters he’s had to write “OFF THE RECORD” to his fans.

    Hey Derek Webb, I’ll tell you what is gay around here… it’s your marketing team!

    — scott · May 19, 12:07 PM · #

  15. paradise is a parking lot

    — scott · May 19, 12:10 PM · #

  16. http://www.paradiseisaparkinglot.com/

    — scott · May 19, 12:15 PM · #

  17. Have you seen the second email he sent out earlier today?

    For my two cents, before I knew about the new website and the song’s subject matter, I suspected that it was an issue with licensing samples that was keeping the label from getting behind the project. Derek’s email this morning, I thought, pointed in that direction too.

    — Jordan Like the River · May 19, 03:35 PM · #

  18. I think his label doesn’t wholly mind the attention he is drawing, at least from a financial standpoint. I think DWebb is smarter than his label, and this will be his second best selling album.

    — Robbie Lee · May 21, 09:30 PM · #

  19. Come on people. The label controversy is all about hype for the album, which I think will stir up some controversy within the ranks of Webb’s fans. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think that this album is not about freedom to swear, something much more important. What that is, you’ll have to wait and see. :D

    — Mike · May 30, 10:43 AM · #

  20. The whole scavenger hunt thing might be just a marketing ploy, but I honestly think the album will have some important things to say (see if you can get the lyrics to “The Spirit Vs. The Kick Drum” off the new album). I just hope this “marketing ploy” doesn’t overshadow the message that DW is trying to get across. Think about what Stockholm Syndrome is, victims of kidnapping siding with their captors and even supporting them. Isn’t that what we have done with the United States? Aside from the “Christian values this nation was built upon,” I would argue that the US has become our captor and we have sided with the enemy for whatever reason. Thoughts?

    — Mike · May 30, 10:54 AM · #

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