The New Atheist Anthem
Music listeners of a certain age might recall “Dear God,” an XTC song from the brilliant Pet Sounds-esque Skylarking that is best known as an atheist anthem. It’s not exactly a stirring anthem, however. It’s in fact pretty damn depressing, and it makes atheism seem like a creed for moody teens. In this age of atheist bestsellers, surely atheists need something more peppy. I think I’ve found it. Shy Child’s “Angel of Mercy” has a subtle (so subtle that it might be a function of my imagination) up-with-atheism message, and a much clearer pro-Singularity, pro-engineered negligible sensescence message. Or perhaps it’s some kind of neo-pagan or Houellebecqian manifesto. I’m not sure. But I can safely say that the conceit of the song will likely displease the devout, and also secular bioconservatives and Bloomians. That said, “Angel of Mercy” is extremely, extremely catchy. Alert Hitchens!
I couldn’t find the lyrics, so I’ve transcribed them for you. That’s how much I care.
Angel of Mercy
Starting right now
We all might be living
Living forever
Only the mind, only the body
Together forever
It’s crazy, there won’t be the last breath you ever
The last breath you ever take
No one’s alone, we’ll all be together
Living forever
[Chorus:]
No one came before us!
And no one is coming after us!
The passing of time can’t stop us!
No Angel of Mercy will sing for us!
No time will come when we’ll think we belong
Anywhere else but here!
Same as the truth, if we all believe it
We’re living forever!
[Chorus]
Living forever, breathing forever, repeating forever
Dreaming forever
Living forever, breathing forever, repeating forever
Dreaming forever
[Chorus]
Whether or not you’re an atheist, there is about a 95 percent chance that this song will make you want to dance.
I’ve never been much of a fan of “Dear God” or Skylarking. However, three of the first five XTC albums – White Music, Drums and Wires, and English Settlement – come close to being masterpieces, each in its own way.
— Matt Feeney · May 26, 09:58 PM · #
“I believe in Heaven and Hell/
666 and the Devil as well”
so I’m a little confused.
— Lifafa Das · May 27, 03:47 AM · #
Reihan you inscrutable bastard. Here I was, in the last 24 hours having contemplated your unclassifyability, entertaining the possibility that I, a Marxist, shared your worldview in all essential respects. And having, also, listened obsessively to XTC for the first time in my life these past few weeks. Then you produce this!
WRT obscure XTC: Drums and Wires is insuperable in general, but am I the only one totally captivated by “Chain of Command”? It seems to get no love.
— chiasmus · May 27, 04:28 AM · #
“Chain of Command” is a great song; I agree with Matt’s pick of the three great early albums as well. I like Skylarking the best, though—but only if you kick “Dear God” off and put the far superior “Mermaid Smiled” back, as on the original pressing. A perfect summer album, too!
— Jesse · May 27, 10:57 PM · #