Braille - Soul Rock Lyrics
Lyrics
Soul Rock Rock, Rock your Soul
Soul Rock Rock, Rock your Soul, let me hear you say
Soul Rock Rock, Rock your Soul
Soul Rock Rock, Rock your Soul
The Soul Rock soldier, rock solid sonic Solomon
Rock in Sodom and Gomorah, souls tortured, sin abolishes
society, the beats and rhymes bring the balance back
I swing a battle axe, attack accurate, lyrical tactics
take flight over the badlands, bad habits reign supreme
battered and bruised, confused with shattered dreams
it's time to change the scene, full swing, drums harder to hit ya
get a ticket for the show, your missing the big picture
dis-figured images, deception dominates the premises
it's war, but who's the enemy? Who's the nemesis?
Pessimistic perceptions spread spiritual pestilence
(soul rock) not just to entertain but also for your soul's benefit
Video
Braille - Soul Rock
Meaning & Inspiration
Braille’s "Soul Rock," released on January 1, 2004, as part of the album *Shades of Grey*, delivers a potent and unapologetic declaration of spiritual purpose within the hip-hop landscape. This track is far more than just music; it’s a profound summons to spiritual awakening and a call to arms for those seeking truth in a world riddled with deception. From its very first moments, the song establishes a rhythmic mantra—"Soul Rock Rock, Rock your Soul"—which isn't merely a catchy hook but a direct invitation to engage with one’s innermost being, challenging the listener to let their spirit be stirred and anchored.
The narrative woven through "Soul Rock" introduces us to the "Soul Rock soldier," a figure described as "rock solid sonic Solomon." This imagery immediately evokes wisdom, steadfastness, and an unyielding presence. This soldier operates in a world mirroring "Sodom and Gomorrah," a biblical reference to places consumed by sin and moral decay (Genesis 19). Braille paints a grim picture where "souls tortured, sin abolishes society," highlighting the pervasive spiritual sickness that plagues humanity. In this bleak landscape, the artist positions his "beats and rhymes" not as mere entertainment but as a critical force meant to "bring the balance back." This suggests music as a divine tool, capable of restoring order and truth where chaos and falsehood prevail, much like the psalmist’s use of song to declare God’s glory (Psalm 96:1-3). The soldier then declares, "I swing a battle axe, attack accurate, lyrical tactics," signifying a spiritual warfare waged through words. This axe is not for physical violence but represents the potent and discerning power of God's Word, which is "sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12) and can cut through deception and penetrate the heart.
The song continues to describe "badlands" where "bad habits reign supreme," a metaphor for a fallen world where destructive patterns hold sway, leaving individuals "battered and bruised, confused with shattered dreams." This deeply resonates with the human experience of brokenness, the consequence of living apart from divine guidance, where the heart can be "deceitful above all things, and desperately sick" (Jeremiah 17:9). Braille asserts it’s "time to change the scene," urging a shift from spiritual complacency, implying that many are "missing the big picture." This refers to a widespread spiritual blindness, where people fail to grasp eternal realities or the grand narrative of God’s redemptive plan (2 Corinthians 4:4). The lyrics speak of "disfigured images, deception dominates the premises," a clear indictment of how falsehood distorts perception and corrupts understanding. The poignant question, "it’s war, but who’s the enemy? Who’s the nemesis?" underscores the often-unseen spiritual battle that believers are engaged in, not against flesh and blood, but against "rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). This internal and external conflict is exacerbated by "pessimistic perceptions spread spiritual pestilence," illustrating how negative outlooks and unbelief can become a destructive disease for the soul (Proverbs 4:23). Ultimately, Braille clarifies the song’s profound intent: it is "not just to entertain but also for your soul’s benefit," establishing music as a conduit for spiritual edification and a means to draw closer to eternal truth, echoing the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to do everything for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Braille’s message throughout "Soul Rock" is a robust call to introspection and spiritual fortitude. The "Soul Rock soldier" embodies the Christian called to be "strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" (Ephesians 6:10), to put on the full armor of God and stand firm against spiritual attacks. The reference to Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin, a theme consistently found in Scripture, where God’s justice is met with His enduring mercy for those who turn to Him (Romans 6:23, John 3:16). The idea of "beats and rhymes" bringing balance resonates with the biblical precedent of art and music being used for worship, instruction, and spiritual guidance (Colossians 3:16). The "battle axe" symbolizes the Word of God, which is living and active, used for discernment and correction (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The acknowledgment of "bad habits" and "shattered dreams" speaks to the universal human struggle with sin and its painful outcomes, but it also implicitly points to the hope of redemption and restoration found in Christ (Isaiah 61:1-3). The "missing big picture" is a direct challenge to those who are spiritually blind, urging them to seek divine wisdom and understanding, for "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). The discernment of the true "enemy" is critical, reminding believers that the ultimate adversary is not human but spiritual, demanding vigilance and faith (1 Peter 5:8). Finally, the explicit statement that the music is for "your soul’s benefit" elevates this song beyond mere artistic expression into a ministry, aligning with the biblical mandate to minister to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in one’s heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). "Soul Rock" stands as a timeless anthem, inspiring listeners to fortify their spirits, embrace truth, and actively engage in the spiritual battle with the power of God's message as their guide.