The band members include lead singer and lyricist J. Jackson, guitarist/keyboardist Bill Hubauer, bassist Keith Haynie, and drummer Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner. The band played its first concert as ApologetiX in 1992, and its 1000th in 2007. All of the band members grew up in and around Pittsburgh PA, and that is where they make their homes and attend church.
ApologetiX rewrites secular songs with (often comical) Christian lyrics. Some of their parodies include "Corinthians" (parody of "In the End" by Linkin Park), "Look Yourself" ("Lose Yourself" by Eminem), "Smooth Grandmama" ("Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm), "Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" ("Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana), and "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" ("Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen). Smooth Grandmama is considered to be their most well-known parody. While maintaining the integrity of fundamentalist "grannies," the song pokes fun at certain aspects.
ApologetiX gets their unusual name from the word apologetics, which means "the defense of the Christian faith." It is based on the Greek word for defense, apologia. The word is used in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer (defense or "apologia") to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (NIV). Their logo, a triquetra, is an ancient symbol of the Holy Trinity.
Visit their website for booking, concerts and contact them through email at www.apologetix.com.
Heavenly Hill
ApologetiX Lyrics
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(Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:1-9, Luke 9:27-36, 2 Peter 1:16-19))
Where I come from there's a tall flat place
It's out on a hill where a ski slope's at
My master went for a little walk
With His friends there just to do a retreat
He didn't go with some big group
While we prayed I saw the Son of God talking with the prophets
Heavenly hill -- that's where I want to be (John and Jimmy, John and Jimmy)
Living on heavenly hill
Heavenly hill -- Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and me (John and Jimmy, John and Jimmy)
Living on heavenly hill
Looking brighter than a star, His clothes so beautiful they gleamed
Don't know how they scrubbed His wardrobe but His face it seemed to beam
I wonder if He'll look like that whenever Jesus Christ is king
Maybe this ain't quite as cool but it's the next best thing
Heavenly hill -- that's where I want to be (John and Jimmy, John and Jimmy)
Living on heavenly hill
Heavenly hill -- Mark n' Luke 9, Matthew 17 (John and Jimmy, John and Jimmy)
Living on heavenly hill
The truth is ... I can't stand the suspense
There's someplace that I'm more into
And I guess it won't be long
No, it won't, I guess you know that deep down too
And I will always dream of that day
When I will dwell in Paradise, but till that starts, hey
Heavenly hill -- that's where I want to be (John and Jimmy, John and Jimmy)
Living on heavenly hill
Heavenly hill -- Second Peter verse 1:18 (John and Jimmy, John and Jimmy)
Living on heavenly hill
2 Peter 1:16-18
We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you
About the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
But we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
When the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying,
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
The song "Heavenly Hill" by ApologetiX is a parody of Weezer's "Beverly Hills" and is based on the Biblical accounts of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. The singer, who is believed to be John, talks about a hill where a ski slope is located and where he and his fellow disciples, James and John, went on a retreat with Jesus. While they were praying, Jesus was talking with the prophets Moses and Elijah, and the singer saw Jesus in his glorified form, with clothes that gleamed and a face that shone. The singer longs to live on the "heavenly hill" with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, and dreams of the day when he will dwell in Paradise.
The song draws heavily from the accounts of the Transfiguration found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as well as 2 Peter 1:16-19. The Transfiguration is considered to be a significant event in the life of Jesus Christ and provides a glimpse of his divine nature to his disciples. The song alludes to the experience of the disciples who witnessed this event and their longing to be with Jesus in heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
Where I come from there's a tall flat place
There is a hill where Jesus went for a retreat.
It's out on a hill where a ski slope's at
The hill was tall and flat where people go skiing.
My master went for a little walk
Jesus went for a walk with his disciples during the retreat.
With His friends there just to do a retreat
Jesus was with his disciples for a spiritual retreat.
He didn't go with some big group
Jesus went only with James, John, and the artist.
Just three guys, James and John and me
Only three people, including the singer, went with Jesus on the retreat.
While we prayed I saw the Son of God talking with the prophets
During prayer, the singer saw Jesus talking to Moses, Elijah, and other prophets.
Heavenly hill -- that's where I want to be (John and Jimmy, John and Jimmy)
The artist longs to be on the heavenly hill with Jesus, Moses, Elijah, and others.
Living on heavenly hill
The artist wants to live on the heavenly hill for eternity.
Looking brighter than a star, His clothes so beautiful they gleamed
Jesus looked radiant, and his clothes sparkled with beauty.
Don't know how they scrubbed His wardrobe but His face it seemed to beam
The singer wonders how Jesus' clothes were made to look so beautiful, but his face radiated joy.
I wonder if He'll look like that whenever Jesus Christ is king
The artist wonders if Jesus will look like that when he returns as King.
Maybe this ain't quite as cool but it's the next best thing
Being on the heavenly hill may not be as good as being in Paradise, but it's still the next best thing.
The truth is ... I can't stand the suspense
The singer is eager to be on the heavenly hill with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.
There's someplace that I'm more into
The singer desires to be on the heavenly hill more than anything.
And I guess it won't be long
The artist believes it won't be long until he's on the heavenly hill.
No, it won't, I guess you know that deep down too
The artist is convinced that others also desire to be on the heavenly hill.
And I will always dream of that day
The singer will always dream of the day he is on the heavenly hill.
When I will dwell in Paradise, but till that starts, hey
The singer hopes to go to Paradise someday, but for now, he'll settle for being on the heavenly hill.
Heavenly hill -- Second Peter verse 1:18 (John and Jimmy, John and Jimmy)
The artist references 2 Peter 1:18, which talks about the transfiguration on the mountain.
Living on heavenly hill
The artist wants to live on the heavenly hill for eternity.
Contributed by Bentley L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SPIKE
on Love the Jews (Parody of "Love Me Do" By the Beatles)
AWESOME!