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Superstar I don't wanna be your Superstar It's the right situation I appreciate all your affirmation So let it rock & just let it roll
(Words & Music by Sonia Vannest -
copyright 2004
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Behind the Lyrics – “Superstar”
I decided to make a bold move with
"Superstar", not only when I wrote and recorded this song, but when I decided to
put it first on my album to make a statement. It was the first song I put
down vocals to while recording my project "a thing or 2", and it set the tone
for what I really wanted to say as an artist and as a Christian. If you
have read any of my other rantz and brain spazms, read my interviews, listened
to my radio interviews and brushed up on what I stand for, you will know that I
am not in this "business" for a career, for success, or personal gain or glory,
to rack up number one charting singles, sold out stadiums, or to "make it" and
get a record deal. I have something important to say with my music that I
want "to linger on", not be forgotten as the flavor of the week like some "I
wanna be a rock star"- wanna-be. Music is supposed to move people and say
something. I want my music to "move your soul" as the song says. I
don't want people looking at me, but who I sing for. Artists who
have success as their main focus are in for a rude awakening if it hasn't
happened already. Getting signed to a label does not make you any better
of an artist than the next guy. It doesn't mean you have some special talent if
you're signed. And vice versa, if you're not signed, that you don't
have something relevant to share with the world. This has been a
common misperception in the music industry among those trying to find their
place in this world with their music, and the general public. "Signing on the
dotted line" is not your arrival. It will "only get your so far", and you
will only find yourself disappointed in the end if you are measuring your self
worth on those worldly standards. Tomorrow it could all be gone. You
have to go where God sends you and do what He asks you, no matter what the
outcome - whether you see success or not. Be humble with your gifts and
serve only Him. It becomes so easy to start wanting things for ourselves,
and even taking all the credit once we start seeing a glimpse of success.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard throughout my life "you're so talented, you are going to be famous, you should be "signed". None of those things mean anything when it comes to God using you with whatever your gift or talent is.
1 Corinthians 1:27 (New International Version) says:
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
God does not always give everyone who has talent a huge platform. And if your only motivation for doing it is to have a successful career, become famous with a huge following, and have outward signs of your accomplishment, then you motives are not about God. They are about YOU. The scripture in 2nd Timothy chapter 3 says that in the last days we will basically love ourselves so much that I believe we put ourselves on the throne to be worshipped, and not the God that at least as Christian artists, we sing about. It's been a hard road to walk for me as a music artist because everything about the music industry these days, and more particularly, the Christian music industry, has been less and less about sharing good music with a message, and more and more about making a hit song, making money and gaining personal success and recognition. When I open up a magazine like CCM and see the words "the number one worship leader in the country" plastered above someone's picture, countless promotional emails about the place their song is on the chart that week, who has the number one selling album, and who hob-knobbed with someone famous this week, it tells me that the Christian music industry and those in it has become just as much a part of the monster, the greed monster, as the secular music industry who exploits artists to make millions of dollars. The only difference is that the Christian music industry knows how to hide it better. Believe me, I have done a lot of work with artists through the years, up close and personal with many of them, and there are just as many rotten things that go on behind the scenes. I am done with these kind of games. I started out thinking I could change this industry, boldly state what I believed in, and be a small part of the change. I hope that anything I have done has at least shared a spark. But that is up to God, not me. I just have to be obedient and do what He asks, and go where He sends.
It all boils down to motives. We start out wanting to make a difference, to do the right thing, but just like a drug, it is never enough and we keep wanting more and more until we've found ourselves so far across the line that we have deceived even ourselves to thinking that the monstrosities we have done are still "for God". When I see worship leaders even at the local level of our churches more concerned with how the performance went and whether or not people responded and clapped because the music was good, than if God's spirit was allowed to move beyond the scheduled timeframe, we have come to the point where it is no longer about God that we do these things. It is about our own cravings and desires.
We are now to the point where there is every kind of reality show and road to fame television show or talent contest, and everyone out there is trying to become famous no matter what it takes. People are measuring their personal worth by whether or not they have made a name for themselves somehow. Even to the point that they don't care if they can't sing a single note on key, they are still going to audition for American Idol because they are so hungry for personal recognition and attention to feel like they are somebody.
I know that when I came out with my interviews with the release of this album and this song in particular, I stepped on a lot of toes. I stepped on a lot of Christian toes as well. I have seen and witnessed things that make my stomach turn sour. I've seen artists, producers, and industry professionals have the worst business ethics I've ever experienced. And I've seen the way people are treated as artists by industry professionals if they are not signed - Like second rate citizens. They are only interested in you if you can somehow make them a great business venture and if you are what's hot and now. It doesn't matter to them how much you love Jesus and if you have a vision and mission for your music. I've heard Christian record A&R managers speak in seminars and say "we don't care about your ministry. Those things are great to have. We care about the business and if this is going to be a good business deal." Because it has all come down to the love of money which is the root of all evil. If you do by chance get signed to a label, you are dropped if your first or second (if you're lucky) project doesn't bring in the numbers. I have never come across an artist who, in the end, is not disgruntled by their deal and felt they got a raw deal from the industry. When we become too focused on the business rather than following our hearts, that is where the problem lies. Business and ministry are hard to mix. It's like walking through the eye of a needle!
I am thankful that I have the small amount of talent that I have and have the honor to use it for God's glory. I am thankful that people don't shriek and hold their ears when I open my mouth to sing, at least for the most part! ;) And I appreciate the confirmation from my fellow believers that God has given me a gift and that is really being used to move people's hearts. But that's as far as I want it to go. I don't want to be worshipped like some Superstar. I don't want people screaming for me on the stage. I don't like taking bows. I still don't understand why God chose me for this and gave me these gifts and the passion to share music when it has become so much about the performer these days. But I do know that there is always a reason, and I have to do what He asks of me, regardless of how hard the road might be, stand up for what I believe, and say what I believe He is leading me to say. Even if it steps on somebody's toes.
We all need a motive check. As Christians, we need a motive check with the people we admire, even those preaching in the pulpit because this is not just all about music. When Lucifer was kicked out of Heaven, he wanted to be worshipped like God. That is the pit we are ALL in danger of falling into. By putting this song out and making a public statement like this, it is putting me in check, it is putting me into accountability with others publicly. I will continue to share what God has put on my heart to share, no matter if ten people hear it, or ten thousand. I've got a few loaves and fishes, but thank God, he is a miracle worker and knows how to multiply and feed people in ways that we alone can not do. So I humbly offer these things to be used by God. Those who have ears will hear. So crank up your speakers and rock out with me at the top of your lungs! Let's put God first in all we do, and if by chance we are lucky enough to have a limo ride, enjoy it. Because tomorrow you could be taking the bus!