Music I've Been Listening to Lately

Here are some songs I have been enjoying recently:

Both Sides of the Story - Phil Collins
Find yourself in the gutter in a lonely part of town
Where death waits in the darkness
With a weapon to cut some stranger down
Sleeping with an empty bottle
He's a sad and an empty hearted man.
All he needs is a job, and a little respect
So he can get out while he can
We always need to hear both sides of the story.

A neighbourhood peace is shattered
It's the middle of the night
Young faces hide in the shadows
While they watch their mother and father fight.
He says, "She's been unfaithful."
She says her love for him has gone
And the brother shrugs to his sister and says
'Looks like it's just us from now on.'
We always need to hear both sides of the story

And the lights are all on, the world is watching now
People looking for truth, we must not fail them now
Be sure, before we close our eyes
Don't walk away from here 'til you hear both sides.

Here we are all gathered in what seems to be the centre of the storm
Neighbours once friendly now stand each side of the line that has been drawn.
They've been fighting here for years.
But now there's killing on the streets
While small coffins are lined up sadly
Now united in defeat.
We always need to hear both sides of the story.

And the lights are all on, the world is watching now.
People looking for truth, we must not fail them now.
Be sure, before we close our eyes
Don't walk away from here 'til you see both sides.

White man turns the corner, finds himself within a different world.
Ghetto kid grabs his shoulder, throws him up against the wall
He says, 'Would you respect me if I didn't have this gun?
'Cos without it, I don't get it.
And that's why I carry one'
We always need to hear both sides of the story.

Dance into the Light - Phil Collins
Its there in the eyes of the children
In the faces smiling in the windows.
You can come on out, come on open the doors
Brush away the tears of freedom

Now we're here, there's no turning back.
We have each other.
We have one voice
Hand in hand we will lay the tracks
Because the train is coming to carry you home.

Come dance with me.
Come on and dance into the light.
Everybody dance into the light.

Therell be no more hiding in shadows of fear.
Therell be no more chains to hold you.
The future is yours - you hold the key.
And there are no walls with freedom.

Now we're here, we won't go back.
We are one world.
We have one voice.
Side by side, we are not afraid.
Because the train is coming to carry you home.

Come dance with me.
Come on and dance into the light.
Everybody dance into the light.

Do you see the sun - its a brand new day.
Oh, the world's in your hands, now use it.
What's past is past, don't turn around.
Brush away the cobwebs of freedom.

Now we're here, there's no turning back.
You have each other.
You have one voice.
Hand in hand you can lay the tracks.
Because the train is coming to carry you home.

Come dance with me.
Come on and dance into the light.
Everybody dance into the light.


That main chorus to the first song seems so pertinent now. "And the lights are all on, the world is watching now. People looking for truth, we must not fail them now." That captures the sense of urgency and this current situation of a crossroads in time. The news media reports that interest in the supernatural is up and at a peak. Information and instant access make the whole world on a stage at any one time, so everything is visible. People are looking for truth, but they do not know where to find it. To me, it is a very exciting time to be alive as a Christian and stand for truth and the one who is Truth.