He is We was formed in Tacoma, Washington by vocalists Rachael Taylor and Trevor Kelly in 2008. The music duo met in Washington while working at Ted Brown’s music company. Since its inception, He is We has not had a steady lineup apart from Taylor and Kelly.
The band’s touring lineup consisted of; drummer Harrison Allen, guitarist Carman Kubanda, keyboardist Aaron Campbell and bassist Jake Randle. He is We was more popular on social media than in the mainstream. The band promoted itself on social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace in their early years.
With their popularity on social media and the release of an album in 2010, the band got noticed and signed with Universal Motown Records. The band has become an internet sensation and has attracted millions of music lovers. Some listeners have often asked if He is We is a Christian band, due to the band’s use of Christian imagery in a number of its songs. An analysis of the band’s lyrical composition, concepts, public comments, and other musical elements will answer the question is He is We a Christian Band?
Is He are We a religious bad?
We can’t discuss the religious status of He is We without first looking at what it means to be a religious band. A religious band is a music group whose music is influenced by the beliefs and practices of a particular religious body.
Listeners can easily identify a religious band by the type of songs the band churns out and how much religious elements are contained in those songs. Songs by a religious band are centered on religious themes and messages.
Though He is We has not labeled itself as a religious band, some songs by the band contain religious symbolism and are well appreciated in religious gatherings. Even the band’s name has a religious message and interpretation as confirmed by members of the band. The band’s full members, Taylor and Kelly have mentioned that they believe in God and started music from a religious setting. They stated also that they both come from religious homes.
In a 2011 interview with Rebecca Cicione of Indie Vision Music and Trevor Kelly, he made some comments about their spirituality and religion. In his words:
” I grew up in the church and Toby Mac was one of the artists that my mother would approve of me listening to and that she loved. That guy’s great.
Well, Rachel and I, when we write, we always write to inspire, whether or not our songs are about God or a guy or life in general.”
Many songs by He is We contain religious symbolism. They include terms, themes, or messages that give the song a religious undertone. Examples of such songs are;
House Of The Rising Sun
“There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I’m one
My mother was a tailor
She sewed my new bluejeans
My father was a gamblin’ man
Down in New Orleans “
Light a Way
“The morning’s here, and we’re still caught up in the night.
The sky was clear, and everything felt right.
Our time is short, but I’m sure I’ll see you soon.
We’ll take another walk along the bridge, and underneath the moon.
What a find, If I could I’d hit rewind and replay.
All the moments that I wished, I could’ve called you mine.
And tonight, I pray.
Light a way, on my love.
Light a way, from above.
Shine it down, lead me home,
Back to him”
What Kind of Music Band is He is We?
He is We is an indie pop band. Indie pop originated in the UK in the late 1970s from British post-punk. Indie pop combines DIY influences with guitar pop and it is more melodic, less abrasive, and angst-free. He is We also incorporates elements of Indie rock and Emo-pop music genres.
Indie pop music draws influences from underground rock music and contemporary pop and some pioneers of the genre were; The Velvet Underground and Jonathan Richman.
He is We’s music style is characterized by hooked-filled choruses, melodic lyrics, high-pitch melodies, confessional lyrics, soaring vocals, melancholic lyrics, and other elements of indie pop, emo pop, and indie rock music genres. Songs by the band are laced around themes like; love and romance, relationships, heartbreaks, fear and anxiety, patience and forgiveness, and faith. The band also explores spiritual and religious themes as evident in many of their songs.
He is We has released three full-length albums, 5 EPs, and several singles. The band was recognized as PureVolume’s number-one unsigned band of the year in 2009 and has drawn traffic to various sites that upload their songs.
Is He is We a Christian Band?
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and practices of Jesus Christ, the founder of the religion. True Christians believe in Jesus Christ, God the father, the Holy Spirit, and other structures of the religion.
A Christian band makes songs that portray Christian beliefs and practices. Such songs are based on the teachings and principles of the Christian faith. They make references to the Bible, portray biblical characters and events, and are expressions of individual and collective beliefs in the Christian faith.
To be categorized as a Christian band, such a band must label itself as one. Members must publicly identify themselves as Christians and their Christian beliefs should be reflected in the songs they produce and their lifestyle.
Though He is We has not labeled their band a Christian band, they have acknowledged God and some Christian beliefs. In interviews, band members stated that they come from Christian backgrounds and believe in God and some Christian principles. These beliefs are reflected in some of their songs.
In an interview with Indie Vision Music, Trevor revealed that the band’s name has a Christian meaning. In his words:
” The name He is We comes from the idea that Christ is in all of us. I don’t know if you guys are Christians or not, but it’s the idea that no matter what we’ve been through, He is in us. People give us so much flack about our names. They ask if it’s a Beattle song and stuff. But that’s the only connection.”
He also made some comments about his religious background. According to him:
“Well, Rachel and I both grew up in church. Not together. But I grew up in it since I was about six years old and played guitar in youth groups. The first CD I ever bought was Blindside. Ever listened to them? Blindside’s About The Burning Fire was my first record ever and I just fell into the Christian hardcore scene. It was so inspiring to me that people were screaming and it sounded like Devil music but they were worshiping God. So I started a metal band.”
He is We has not labeled the band a Christian band because they do not sing exclusively Christian lyrics. The band sings about love, pains and anxiety, breakups, and a wide range of issues relatable to humans. The band explores a wide range of themes and should not necessarily be pigeonholed as a Christian band.
He is We Christian Songs
As already discussed, He is We employs Christian imagery in their songs. The band makes use of Christian messages to address different human experiences and events. Some of these songs can be used in churches and other Christian gatherings, while still making sense to a secular audience.
Examples of some songs by the band considered Christian songs are;
His Name
“Why am I so afraid of the night?
My silhouette taunts me
My lack of faith in this beautiful life
My knowledge of it haunts me
I’m haunted and know I should be afraid
Lay awake at night
Cry you know it’s not alright to feel like you’re falling into nothing
You can learn to fly
Just call
His name
Just call His name “
The lyrics above from “His Name” is about finding freedom and peace in God. The lyrics portray that in everything we encounter in life, we should not lack faith and we should call on his(God) name. Other songs with deep Christian and spiritual messages include:
The One About Indifference
“You bow your head,
In shame of all the things you’ve said and done.
I bow my head,
To feel his grace and to embrace his son.
I am far,
So very far from worthy of his love.
They try to break me,
But through him, I can always rise above,
And breathe.
Keep your head above the water,
These waves are getting taller.
Pulling you down, down.”
Amazing Grace
“Never thought in my wildest dreams
That I’d found love and it’d find me
I was blind but now I see
You were worth the wait
and the wandering
And like a child, I stand in awe
Just staring at you darling
My heart runs wild
you heard my call
praying you were coming”
Is He is We a Satanic Band?
A satanic band is one whose songs are significantly influenced by Satanic beliefs and practices. One can easily identify a Satanic band from the music style, beliefs, and lifestyle of band members. A Satanic band employs horror and dark themes in their lyrics. Their videos, graphics, and other musical elements are usually creepy and are used to promote demon worship.
We’ve not noticed any element of Satanism in He is We’s music and band members have not publicly associated with Satanism. As such we do not consider He is We a Satanic band
Conclusion
He is We was fronted by vocalist Rachael Taylor when other band members had left to pursue other interests. The frontwoman had continued to operate under the band to release some songs. In 2017 Kelly reunited with Taylor and re-released some songs and old demos. He is We is notable for exploring various Christian themes and acknowledging God in their songs and public comments. However, the band has not labeled itself a Christian band which is our basis for not tagging He is We as a “Christian band.”
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!