Saints and sinners

Re Stop Whispering, Start Shouting, SeptemberI play in a few bands and have found that there are a great number of crossover songs that fit both sacred and secular meanings, which when used sensitively can bring a greater sense of joy to both church and non-church alike. From Simon and Garfunkel there are many examples, but Bridge Over Troubled Waters is the strongest. From the category of Young Country, I'm Movin' On by Rascall Flatts or I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack fit the bill.
REM's Everybody Hurts is quite meaningful; as is Free by Burton Cummings.
In our area the Fiddling Service has become helpful to worshippers, when both hymns and fiddle tunes are used.
In the jazz quartet in which I play (called Saints 'n' Sinners, with two ministers and two lay members) we often combine both secular and sacred in the same tune: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night with Swinging Shepherd Blues.
The use of crossover tunes brings to worship and to community events both a sense of meaning and a beat that connotes joy in the Lord. In my part-time work at Kilmaurs, near Ottawa, this approach has even helped in attendance and commitment.
I'm not familiar with Radiohead but I will tune in to them. Our Moderator also spoke about this issue with Green Day, one of my son's favourite bands.