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.
Singled You Out
ApologetiX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(1 Peter 5:8, James 4:7, Hebrews 10:25, Proverbs 18:1,
1 Corinthians 10:12, John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 2:11, Psalm 7:1-2, Psalm 17:11-12, Proverbs 1:32-33)
I like to prance around your street
And I'm like a lion that wants more meat
And I like the wayward selfish sheep
Who are not looking out for me
And I love to play to their egos
And I love to keep them off their toes
And I love to make them think they know
Too much to fall under control
Of another power not their own
And now I'm going to devour the ones in my power
'Cause I singled you out
(The devil is a roaring lion)
And now I'm going to devour the ones in my power
'Cause I singled you out
(1 Peter says in chapter 5)
I like the fickle ones the best
They like it when their lives stay blest
They like to think they're not possessed
Till I put them to the test
I like when pride stays unconfessed
And I know the way to stack the deck
And I love a good life I can wreck
And I might attack with wealth or sex
While I put doubts in their heads
I love a scandal's chain effect
And now I'm going to devour the ones in my power
'Cause I singled you out
(The devil is a roaring lion)
And now I'm going to devour the ones in my power
'Cause I singled you out
(The devil is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour)
(He's got to go if you resist)
I'm like a panther on your street
And I like a church where no-one meets
And I'm on my way to steal some sheep
Front doors open up for me
They're like my slaves if they're deceived
And I hate the place I have to go
But I'll take some people with me though
And I hate the faithful that say no
To every bald lie that I've told
I hate the power that they hold
And now I'm going to devour the ones in my power
'Cause I singled you out
(The devil is a roaring lion)
And now I'm going to devour the ones in my power
'Cause I singled you out
(The devil is a roaring lion, in chapter 4 of James you'll find)
(He's got to go if you resist)
1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
The lyrics of ApologetiX's parody song, Singled You Out, provides a commentary on the devil's tactics of targeting those who are weak, fickle, and easily swayed by their egos, pride, doubts, and desires. The chorus of the song makes a direct allusion to the Bible verse 1 Peter 5:8, which warns that the devil is a roaring lion seeking to devour anyone who is not self-controlled and alert. The verses of the song describe the devil's various strategies, such as prancing around the street to intimidate and scare his prey, playing to their egos to keep them off their toes, stacking the deck to ensure that his schemes succeed, attacking with wealth or sex to make them fall into temptation, and stealing the sheep from a church where no one meets. The devil is depicted as a panther who hates the faithful that say no to his lies and holds the power that he desires to possess.
This song is a satire that mocks the devil's tactics and exposes his sinister motives. The verses of the song offer a warning to listeners to be self-controlled and alert, to resist the devil's schemes, and to hold fast to their faith. The song's chorus is a call to action for Christians to resist the devil and stand firm in their faith.
Line by Line Meaning
I like to prance around your street
I roam around to find my prey
And I'm like a lion that wants more meat
I attack those who are vulnerable
And I like the wayward selfish sheep
I target those who are self-centered
Who are not looking out for me
They do not see me as a threat
They're like my favorite thing to eat
I enjoy preying on them the most
And I love to play to their egos
I manipulate their pride
And I love to keep them off their toes
I catch them off guard
And I love to make them think they know
I deceive them into a false sense of security
Too much to fall under control
They feel no need to submit to a higher power
Of another power not their own
They deny the existence of a higher power
And now I'm going to devour the ones in my power
I am going to destroy those who are within my control
'Cause I singled you out
I have targeted you specifically
(The devil is a roaring lion)
This behavior is characteristic of the devil
(1 Peter says in chapter 5)
The Bible warns of this behavior in 1 Peter 5
I like the fickle ones the best
I prefer those who are easily swayed
They like it when their lives stay blest
They are content with material success
They like to think they're not possessed
They do not believe they are under my influence
Till I put them to the test
Until I challenge their faith
I like when pride stays unconfessed
I enjoy when people refuse to admit their faults
And I know the way to stack the deck
I know how to manipulate situations to my advantage
And I love a good life I can wreck
I take pleasure in ruining people's lives
And I might attack with wealth or sex
I use material possessions or lust to tempt people
While I put doubts in their heads
I plant seeds of uncertainty in their minds
I love a scandal's chain effect
I delight in the aftermath of a scandal
I'm like a panther on your street
I am always lurking, waiting for an opportunity to strike
And I like a church where no-one meets
I prefer to target churches with low attendance
And I'm on my way to steal some sheep
I am planning to deceive and manipulate people
Front doors open up for me
People welcome me in without questioning my intentions
They're like my slaves if they're deceived
I enslave people with my lies
And I hate the place I have to go
I am repulsed by righteous places
But I'll take some people with me though
I will not leave empty-handed
And I hate the faithful that say no
I despise those who reject my lies
To every bald lie that I've told
They see through my deception
I hate the power that they hold
I resent their ability to resist my influence
(The devil is a roaring lion, in chapter 4 of James you'll find)
The Bible warns of this behavior in James 4
(He's got to go if you resist)
The devil must flee when faced with resistance
Contributed by Lucy H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SPIKE
on Love the Jews (Parody of "Love Me Do" By the Beatles)
AWESOME!