sugar drops

I just realized why we use the terms “syrupy,” “sappy.” “sugary” or “saccharine” to describe negative experiences unrelated to food.

I found myself cringing the other day, while listening to a superb male vocalist sing a meaningful Christian song on the radio.  Pretty extreme reaction to a non-event.  But it felt phoney.  Even though he was singing a truthful message I’m sure he believed, it sounded artificial and insipid.  At the time, I thought perhaps the lovely orchestral background was too flowing, too smooth.  Or perhaps it was his clearly high level of technical vocal training that I resisted..

But now, as I listen to another male vocalist sing a different Christian song (also with orchestral backup), I note I am not having the same knee-jerk reaction.  Now, I realize what is at issue.  When everything is flawless – the vocals, the full orchestration, the message of hopeful truth – when there is no tang, no saltiness, no piquant, no acidity or sand paper anywhere –  all conspires together to produce an alkaline experience.

Sugar and corn syrup have little flavor or benefit in themselves, yet they can overwhelm the system.  I don’t know of anyone who eats either of them alone.  In fact, eating them without a balance of fats and proteins will eventually make you grossly ill.  Embellishments such as passion fruit, lime, strawberry, peach, banana and Marion berry, or vanilla, maple, butter, cream, pecan, chocolate, coconut, hazelnut and coffee make them much more palatable, not to mention downright enjoyable.  They need balance, interest. They need added flavor and body. 

And that’s what that initial song needed – some flavor, body, balance and interest.  There was nothing in the experience to offer a counterbalance to the good of it – to add an edge against which the good could contrast.

For those who are looking for an artificial reality, such music would be acceptable, comfortable.  For the rest of us… maybe that’s why I like John Hiatt, now.

Thank you I am slowly retreating from that “artificial reality” category.  For once, it was all about projecting what was supposed to be, rather than what was – about pretending this is already Heaven.  Thank you for freeing me from my denial.  Thank you for revealing to me the value in contrasting your good against the backdrop of our evil, imperfect world – it provides a more efficacious display of your glory…