On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML

If you listen carefully even pop stars sing the blues

By Mark Christensen - posted Thursday, 7 December 2006

If I stop lying,
I'd just disappoint you.
If I ever hurt you,
your revenge will be so sweet.

Before entering the priesthood in the fourth century, Augustine of Hippo beseeched God to grant him chastity and continence - but not quite yet.

The same commitment dilemma exists today, only more intensely. Williams is the archetypal modern man caught in emotional no-man's land. Rational to the point of being sceptical of all that our brilliant intellect has achieved, he's tired of thinking.

Yet without more questioning, he lacks a definitive reason for an unconditional surrender to his heart's deepest desires: the love of the right woman and a God-given purpose.

Whatever you think of his music and tattoos, at least Williams is frank about the darkness that besets most men at some stage or another. His heart-felt tilt at life's big questions is a true measure of the man, as it also is for non-rock stars.

Pages:
‹
1
Page 2
›
All

First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on November 30, 2006.

Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

5 posts so far.

About the Author

Mark is a social and political commentator, with a background in economics. He also has an abiding interest in philosophy and theology, and is trying to write a book on the nature of reality. He blogs here.