Creed Music Review

Unlike Collective Soul, the lead singer of Creed does claim to be a Christian, but He did not claim this until after the band broke up.  Scott Stapp is now working on a solo project and released his first single on The Passion of the Christ album, called “Relearn Love.”  He also claims that he is glad no one asked him personally about being a Christian because his life was not right with God.  He realizes now that it will never be perfect, and that he does not have to worry as much as he did about people judging him when he makes mistakes.  Sometimes he does not do the right thing or the best thing, but neither do any of the rest of us.  Creed was not a Christian band, but many of their songs deal with Stapp’s struggles as a Christian.  Stapp of course does not claim to be a Christian artist, but an artist who is a Christian.  Not all of his songs are about his faith, but some are, because faith is a part of his life.  Two good articles to read online are found at http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/stapp_scoptt/news_feature_080904/ and http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2004/scottstapp-0804.html.

Creed was made up of Scott Stapp (vocals), Brian Marshall (bass) who was later asked to leave the band, Scott Phillips (drums) and Mark Tremonti (guitars and vocals).  The other members went on to form the band Alter Bridge when Creed broke up.  Because they do not really sing any songs that are unredeemable, their music will also be discussed by album.

My Own Prison (released 08/1997): 1. Torn (struggle with personal sin), 2. Ode (deceit and death), 3. My Own Prison (the need to take responsibility for one’s own actions), 4. Pity for a Dime (the humbling of the poor), 5. In America (the loss of morals and reason in our country), 6. Illusion (struggle for contentment in life), 7. Unforgiven (how God sees us is more important than how the world sees us), 8. Sister (abortion), 9. What’s this Life For (the death of those who never find the answer to this question – the word GD is used several times in this song), 10. One (the need for unity in humanity).

Human Clay (released 09/1999): 1. Are You Ready? (being ready for a change), 2. What If (judgment and forgiveness), 3. Beautiful (results of lust), 4. Say I (humanity’s fallen state), 5. Wrong Way (making sure the answers you give to life’s questions lead someone the right way), 6. Faceless Man (God’s judgment, and our need for an advocate), 7. Never Die (the desire to be youthful in the way one sees life), 8. With Arms Wide Open (the acceptance of a new life coming into the world), 9. Higher (the desire to escape the pain in this life and live in God’s presence), 10. Wash Away Those Years (parental abuse and possibly rape), 11. Inside Us All (giving your heart to the Lord and letting Him mend your scars).

Weathered (released 11/2001): 1. Bullets (hate), 2. Freedom Fighter (those who hold the truth that sets souls free should present it in love), 3. Who’s Got My Back (human betrayal), 4. Signs (this culture ignores all the signs that it badly needs to change), 5. One Last Breath (the struggle to stay alive), 6. My Sacrifice (the beauty of marriage-note: Stapp was divorced and he now wants to spend more time with his son than on the road, because she does not want to have an active roll in his life), 7. Stand Here With Me (appreciation for the ones who teach us about value in life), 8. Weathered (the fight not to become calloused in heart before death), 9. Hide (the desire to go to a place where there is no shame-maybe heaven?), 10. Don’t Stop Dancing (carrying on in life despite its hurt), 11. Lullaby (loving others-probably written to Stapp’s son).

Creed has also written and released four other songs that do not appear on these three albums: 1. Bound and Tied (Dead Man on Campus Soundtrack-things that are oppressive in life), 2. Young Grow Old (Forceable Entry WWF comp-the struggle for maturity), 3. To Whom It May Concern (Scorpion King Soundtrack-loss of freedom, maybe in a relationship), 4. Is This the End (Scream 3 Soundtrack-life is fleeting, but God holds the keys).

Creed also covered the Alice Cooper song “I’m Eighteen” for The Faculty Soundtrack, “Riders on the Storm,” for the Doors tribute album, Stoned Immaculate, and “Roadhouse Blues” on Woodstock Vol. I – The Red Album.  Finally, there is an acoustic version of “My Own Prison” available on the WBCN ’98 Naked CD.