CBC Music published a list of songs with "Jesus" in the title. Of course you could probably go on much longer if you also include songs like "Spirit in the Sky" and "Suzanne" that mention him in the lyrics but not the title. Funny thing is that I don't really know most of the list. The only one I know well is Green Day's Jesus of Suburbia, which is one of my son's favorite Green Day songs.
http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2012/4/Madonna-to-Kanye-West-Jesus-in-pop-music
Mendalla
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Comments
Mendalla
Posted on: 04/05/2012 21:47
The songs referenced in my OP:
Suzanne (live version from 1970 by Cohen)
Spirit in the Sky (Eighties cover by Doctor and the Medics, which I like better than the original)
Jesus of Suburbia (live version, because Green Day is a damn good live band)
Mendalla
gecko46
Posted on: 04/05/2012 22:00
Didn't see Jesus Christ Superstar in the list.
Mendalla
Posted on: 04/05/2012 22:03
Interesting that they missed it because it was a hit when the original album came out IIRC (I was too young at the time and got into it in high school). I suspect it was an oversight because we tend to separate musicals off from pop music even though the line is now very blurry courtesy of shows like Mamma Mia and American Idiot.
Mendalla
Elanorgold
Posted on: 04/05/2012 22:23
Whoa! Cohen with long hair!! Love Spirit in the Sky, what a lark!
I like:
Jesus is Just Alright by the Doobie Brothers
Jesus by Velvet Underground
Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode...
and that's all I can think of before checking the list... which seems to be taking it's time to load...
Elanorgold
Posted on: 04/05/2012 22:46
Ministry: Jesus Built my Hotrod, lol! That was a good one in it's day.
Here's that Velvet Underground song, a still image:
Doobie Brothers, live, 60's, b&w:
Depeche Mode, promo clip:
I know 5 of the songs on the list. Surprised I hadn't heard the Ramones one or the Jesus and Mary Chain one, or the Morrissey one..
Mendalla
Posted on: 04/06/2012 08:38
Actually, I do know DM's Personal Jesus through this version:
Mendalla
Elanorgold
Posted on: 04/06/2012 15:37
I didn't count any other artists versions in my count... I haven't heard the Byrds version of Jesus is Just Alright (I presume it's their song).
I ALso thought of this George Harrison song, which is about Jesus, though he doesn't name him. On the White album it was disguised as a love song about a woman. Here we hear it more clearly for what it is, in this cover by a girl called Gemma Ray, which I like better than the original. I think it's kinda nice how George keeps it private by not naming him.
"Long, Long, Long":
So if you take a listen to the DM Personal Jesus, let me know what you think! Is it groovy!? I like it's edgy, rebel country, electro grooviness.
seeler
Posted on: 04/06/2012 17:04
Where is 'Jesus' brother Bob'?
paradox3
Posted on: 04/17/2012 23:33
"Jesus' brother Bob,
Jesus' brother Bob,
A nobody relative,
Of the son of God ..."
paradox3
Posted on: 04/17/2012 23:35
On a serious note now, here is a verse from Bob Dylan's Masters of War. I remember it sung by Cher.
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
And I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Rowan
Posted on: 04/19/2012 09:01
Darn it Paradox beat me to it.... Jesus' Brother Bob. I actually like a lot of their stuff.
SG
Posted on: 04/19/2012 10:07
I cannot believe they missed the better of the Violent Femmes songs lyrically Jesus in Rio
Di Leva - Everyone is Jesus
Redbone's - Good Enough for Jesus
Game Theory - Like a Girl Jesus
David Wilcox- Jesus' Mom
Ray Stevens - Would Jesus Wear a Rolex?
So many....
seeler
Posted on: 04/19/2012 11:20
Doesn't use the name 'Jesus' but, I think, refers to him:
"What if God were One of Us?"