Christian musician's song used in Fifty Shades of Grey, author thought it was a rom-com

A Christian singer gave permission for one of his songs to be used in the 50 Shades of Grey film because he believed it was a romantic comedy.

Paul Janeway, lead of singer of soul band St Paul and the Broken Bones, based in Birmingham, Alabama, told the website Mother Jones he hadn't heard of the film, based on EL James' erotic BDSM novel.

He said: "When they presented the licensing opportunity, they presented it as: It's going to be a huge movie, they want to put a decent amount of the song in the movie in a nonsexual scene.

"I knew it was a book, but I had no idea what it was. So I was like, sure, big movie, good exposure. I'll be in this romantic comedy. Which is what I thought it was: a romantic comedy. It's a good way to make money in the music business, you know. Then I saw a preview for it, and I was like, '...Oh, no. What have I done?'

Janeway, who grew up in a strict religious household, wanted to be a preacher until he was 18 and learned to sing at his Pentecostal-leaning church.

His current music has its roots in church, and religion is still part of Janeway's life - but he says the relationship remains complicated.

related articles
Fifty Shades glamourises abuse, say campaigners
Fifty Shades glamourises abuse, say campaigners

Fifty Shades glamourises abuse, say campaigners

Fifty Shades of Grey: The Christian Today review
Fifty Shades of Grey: The Christian Today review

Fifty Shades of Grey: The Christian Today review

Fifty Shades and Trash: Two films, but only one worth seeing

Fifty Shades and Trash: Two films, but only one worth seeing

Craig Gross of XXX Church on why Christian Grey is the worst boyfriend imaginable
Craig Gross of XXX Church on why Christian Grey is the worst boyfriend imaginable

Craig Gross of XXX Church on why Christian Grey is the worst boyfriend imaginable

News
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster

Bishop Richard Moth has been confirmed as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the most senior post in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. 

The mystery of the Wise Men
The mystery of the Wise Men

The carol assures us that “We three kings of Orient are…” and tells us they were “following yonder star”. Can we be sure there were three of them? Were they kings? Where in the Orient were they from? What was the star they followed? In fact, there is a lot that we just do not know. This is the story …

English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.