Easy Listening: A Reflection on Nostalgia, Convenience, and the Erosion of Commitment



Steve Taylor’s "Easy Listening" is a striking commentary on nostalgia, consumerism, and the loss of spiritual depth in the modern church. The song centers around the perspective of an aging individual looking back at the past, longing for the days when faith was simple, uncomplicated, and easy to consume. By setting the song in the year 2044, Taylor subtly critiques the trajectory of Christianity, calling attention to a future where the values of sacrifice, commitment, and genuine spiritual engagement have been replaced by a desire for comfort and convenience.

The Chorus: An Escape into Comfort

The repetitive refrain, "Gimme that old-time easy listening," is both literal and figurative.

On one level, the speaker simply wants to hear the “old-time” music, the soothing sounds of familiarity and nostalgia. However, this "easy listening" extends beyond music and represents the desire for a world where things are simple, predictable, and emotionally soothing. It’s not just about nostalgia for an earlier time; it’s about the avoidance of the harder realities of life and faith. The speaker longs for a version of Christianity that doesn't require personal sacrifice or engagement; just something that can be consumed passively and comfortably, much like easy-listening music.

Nostalgia for an “Easier” Faith

The speaker in the song, looking back at the turn of the century from 2044, laments the "old-time" ways of faith, when sermons were affirming, and the church community felt secure in its standing. The phrase, "The Lord liked us better then," highlights a common tendency to romanticize the past and view it as a simpler, more “authentic” time, often ignoring the struggles and complexities that existed then. By focusing on an idealized version of the past, the speaker overlooks the challenges and calls to action that defined the early church.

In addition, the statement, "I don’t want to be my brother’s keeper no more," reflects a withdrawal from community and a rejection of the personal responsibility and sacrifice that the Bible calls Christians to. It mirrors the modern trend of self-centeredness, where individuals prefer comfort and self-preservation over the hard work of serving others or engaging in difficult spiritual disciplines.

Consumer Christianity

One of the song’s most cutting critiques is aimed at consumerism in the church. The speaker comments on the way faith has been commodified, with lines like "Tickle my ear and I’ll pay for your show" and "Sing about stuff that I already know." These lines express disillusionment with the consumer-oriented approach to faith in modern culture. It’s as if Christianity has become just another product, sold in easy-to-digest pieces for a quick emotional hit. The idea that someone might “pay for a show” or demand comfort rather than challenge speaks to a Christianity that is tailored to suit people's desires, not their needs.

The reference to “old-time easy listening” serves as a metaphor for how the faith is being experienced in the modern age. It's been reduced to background noise, something passive and pleasant, but ultimately shallow and devoid of transformative power. The church has become a place to seek comfort rather than challenge or growth, and the message has become one of convenience rather than commitment.

The Song’s Imagery and Commentary on Church History

As the song progresses, Taylor further critiques the distant view of history held by the speaker. The lines "Gather-me-grandchildren for a little church history" and "It's 2044, you're avoiding our turn-of-the-century ways" present a picture of a future generation that is disconnected from the struggles and efforts of past generations. Church history, which once served as a source of wisdom and guidance, has become just another "mystery", something vaguely remembered but no longer actively engaged with.

The metaphor of church history as a mystery and the speaker's desire to gather their grandchildren around to reminisce about it is a stark reminder of how the legacy of the church is often lost or misunderstood by future generations. As history is increasingly commodified and simplified, it loses its richness and depth, leaving the faithful of the future with little to stand on.

An Unwillingness to Grow

The final lines of the song, "Color me old-fashioned, but I still remember when / The sermons were affirming, 'cause the Lord liked us better then," continue to reflect the speaker’s longing for the comfort of the past, where faith was easy and reassuring. The song's humor and self-aware tone reveal a lament for the loss of depth in the church, but it also critiques the refusal to engage with the present and future realities of faith. The desire to return to a time when faith was "easy" represents a rejection of the hard work and transformation required by the gospel message.

Conclusion: A Call for Depth and Engagement

"Easy Listening" is a sharp, witty critique of a faith that has become comfortable, commodified, and disconnected from its roots. The song challenges us to reconsider our own attitudes toward faith, consumerism, and the way we engage with the world. Rather than settling for easy answers and nostalgia, Taylor urges us to embrace a faith that is demanding, transformative, and committed. In an age where so much is packaged for convenience, he asks whether we are willing to dig deeper and confront the uncomfortable realities that come with genuine faith and commitment.

This post is part of my series walking through Steve Taylor’s album “Squint.” An album that still speaks to the absurdities of our culture contrasted by the grace being offered us.

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