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.
Superficial
ApologetiX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 7:1-5, 15-23; Matthew 13:24-29, 36:43; Matthew 15:7-9; Matthew 23:24-29; Mark 7:1-23)
Very superficial - whitewash on the wall
Very superficial - letter of the law
There's too much obeying, no one's looking past
Leaven's in the breadbox spreading pretty fast
And do you really think that the Lord judges man on the surface
Ooh, Pharisee official - wash your face and hands
Sifting out the small bugs, swallowing a camel
Keep doin' the same things, even though they're wrong
You don't want to change things, you've had 'em so long
When you receive these things that you know come from man
And you're stubborn
Your traditions taint your faith
There is true forgiveness - nothing more than grace
Carry your traditions to 29 Isaiah
Thirteenth verse, oh baby, go and look into that
7:6-9 in Mark - put it in your past
And do you really think that the Lord judges man on the surface
Superficial change your ways
Mark 7:6-7
He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."
The song Superficial by ApologetiX is a parody of Stevie Wonder's Superstition, and it draws heavily on the themes of hypocrisy, judgement, and the dangers of being too devoted to religious law without considering one's own heart. The song makes a commentary on the Pharisees, who are self-righteous and take pride in following the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. The lyrics suggest that such an approach is superficial and ineffective and calls for people to change their ways.
The chorus of the song urges people to change their ways, moving from a superficial understanding of religious law to a more complete understanding of faith. The lines "do you really think that the Lord judges man on the surface" suggest that true faith and devotion come from a deeper place than the surface level, that it is not enough to follow the law only.
The references to Isaiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:1-5, 15-23 further reinforce this message, emphasizing that the only true faith is one that comes from the heart and that adhering only to the law is foolish and superficial. In sum, the song calls for listeners to reflect on their own faith, to move beyond the surface level of religious practice and to cultivate a deeper, more authentic understanding of spirituality.
Line by Line Meaning
Very superficial - whitewash on the wall
Overly concerned with outward appearances, like putting white paint to cover up something undesirable.
Very superficial - letter of the law
Focused only on following the exact words of the law, without considering its spirit or intent.
There's too much obeying, no one's looking past
People are blindly following rules without trying to understand their true purpose or effect.
Leaven's in the breadbox spreading pretty fast
Bad ideas or practices are infecting and corrupting the whole system.
And do you really think that the Lord judges man on the surface
Questioning the idea that God only cares about outward shows of righteousness, rather than true faith and behavior.
Superficial change your ways
Urging people to stop being superficial and start making meaningful changes.
Ooh, Pharisee official - wash your face and hands
Calling out hypocritical religious leaders who only care about appearing clean and pure on the outside, without any real inner transformation.
Sifting out the small bugs, swallowing a camel
Exaggerating minor shortcomings in others while ignoring or justifying major sins in oneself.
Keep doin' the same things, even though they're wrong
Continuing to follow bad practices or beliefs, even when the evidence shows they are harmful or misguided.
You don't want to change things, you've had 'em so long
Being resistant to change, even when it's clear that change is necessary or beneficial, because of fear or attachment to the status quo.
When you receive these things that you know come from man
Acknowledging that religious rules and traditions are often created by humans, rather than divinely inspired.
And you're stubborn
Pointing out that people can be stubborn and resistant to new or different ideas or approaches.
Your traditions taint your faith
Warns that religious traditions can actually hinder or corrupt one's faith, if they become overly fixated on and devoted to them.
There is true forgiveness - nothing more than grace
Highlighting the idea of God's forgiveness being freely given, rather than something that can be earned or achieved through following religious rules and traditions.
Carry your traditions to 29 Isaiah
Suggesting that religious people should look to the book of Isaiah to reconsider their traditions and beliefs, and to seek a deeper understanding of God's word.
Thirteenth verse, oh baby, go and look into that
Encouraging people to read and reflect on Isaiah 29:13, which criticizes people who pay lip service to God without truly following his teachings.
7:6-9 in Mark - put it in your past
Referring to Mark 7:6-9, where Jesus rebukes people for following human traditions instead of God's commands, and urging people to leave that mindset behind them.
Contributed by Juliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Johnny Miller
Sounds like Mr. Wonder. Great message. Thanks for the blessing.