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.
Rocky's Now My Name
ApologetiX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Matthew 16:18; John 1:42)
Spent my past here, stuck in Galilee
Couldn't get inspired
Found the Master then He changed my name
'cause Simon's old and tired
And you know Jesus says that I'm a rocky, stoney lad
Well, the Zealot, magician and leper all had
Names that they shared with me
And there was a tanner
Jesus' brother and Judas' dad - even a Pharisee
Simon's name was standard
And there's Simon of Cyrene and
Simon Cowell and more than that, uh huh
So if Rocky's now my name it's better that He named me that
John 1:42
And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John.
You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
In "Rocky's Now My Name," ApologetiX parodies Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way" to tell the story of Simon Peter's name change by Jesus. The lyrics reveal Peter's past as a fisherman in Galilee who was not particularly inspired until he met Jesus, who changed his name from Simon to Cephas or Peter, which meant "rock." The chorus then states that being called Rocky is better than Simon's old and tired name. The song alludes to other people named Simon in history, including Simon Cowell and Simon of Cyrene.
The reference to Matthew 16:18 and John 1:42 in the song points to the Biblical origins of Peter's name change. In John 1:42, Jesus met Simon and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). In Matthew 16:18, Jesus later said to Peter, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church."
The song may also be making a theological point about how Jesus changes people's identities when they follow him. Just as he gave Peter a new name and identity as the rock on which he would build his church, Jesus can transform people's lives when they encounter him.
Overall, "Rocky's Now My Name" is an upbeat and humorous song that uses a well-known rock song to tell a Biblical story and reflect on the transformative power of encountering Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
Spent my past here, stuck in Galilee
I used to live in Galilee and felt trapped there
Couldn't get inspired
I lacked inspiration
Found the Master then He changed my name
I met Jesus and He gave me a new name
'cause Simon's old and tired
My old name, Simon, felt old and tired
And you know Jesus says that I'm a rocky, stoney lad
Jesus calls me a strong and sturdy person
But if Rocky's now my name it's better than the name I had
I prefer my new name, Rocky, over my old name
Well, the Zealot, magician and leper all had
Other people that Jesus met also had
Names that they shared with me
Names similar to mine
And there was a tanner
There was someone with my old name who worked as a tanner
Jesus' brother and Judas' dad - even a Pharisee
There were other people with my old name, including Jesus' brother, Judas' dad, and a Pharisee
Simon's name was standard
My old name was a very common one
And there's Simon of Cyrene and
There were even more people with my old name, like Simon of Cyrene
Simon Cowell and more than that, uh huh
There are even famous people with my old name, like Simon Cowell
So if Rocky's now my name it's better that He named me that
Overall, I am happier with my new name, Rocky, that Jesus gave me
Contributed by Caden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SPIKE
on Love the Jews (Parody of "Love Me Do" By the Beatles)
AWESOME!