OK, I’ve heard this song about a million times and I cannot figure out, exactly, what the song is about. Anyone know? I know this is a stupid question, but this board is my last hope.
From,
Anake
In my opinion, it is about putting all your faith in a person, and being able to reach out to them at all times.
But alot of DM songs are about love and stuff, so who knows?
You’ll never guess. Really.
Many years ago, Depeche Mode did a concert in Memphis. While they were there they visited Graceland.
Martin Gore wrote the song Personal Jesus about Priscilla Presley’s relationship with Elvis.
Surprised?
I own this song and I am reposting the lyrics here so I hope this is not a violation a some copyright issue.
Anyway…PERSONAL JESUS as lyric seems fairly straightforward in that it seems to be talking about an individual seeking salvation via televison or radio preachers who are always talking about having “a personal relationship with Jesus” and want you to call in and receive a blessing and (presumably) make a donation if you are so inclined.
With all due respect to the purported “Elvis” connection I just don’t see that.
PERSONAL JESUS
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who's there
Feeling unknown
And you're all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
Take second best
Puts me to the test
Things on your chest
You need to confess
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus...
Feeling unknown
And you're all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
Reach out and touch faithI’m a huge DM fan and as far i can tell, 90% of their songs are about, sex in one form or another. So i assumed that personal jesus implied some sexual conetations…and left it at that. I mean, who knew that Enjoy the Silence was about not talking during sex…i sure as hell didn’t.
It sounds like I’m crazy, or making a joke, doesn’t it? But I’ve seen interviews where Martin Gore says he wrote the song “Personal Jesus” about Elvis and Priscilla. But of course, no Depeche Mode song is about just one thing. Here is a quote from Martin Gore:
http://www.tuug.fi/~jaakko/dm/spinmode.html
So what are his songs really about? Martin drops subtle hints. “I have a top ten list of topics,” he says, with a mischievous smile. “These include: relationships, domination, lust, love, good, evil, inscest, sin, religion, immorality.” For example, last summer’s hit “Personal Jesus” is based on Pricilla Presley’s idolatry of her King in her book Elvis & Me.
“It’s a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It’s about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody’s heart is like a god in some way. We play these god-like parts for people but no one is perfect, and that’s not a very balanced view of someone is it?”
I think a song has three meanings. What it means to the writer, what it means to society (did you know people played this song in church?), and what it means to the listener. When I listen to this song, I don’t think about Elvis! I think about people who needed too much from me, who needed me to save them…
Oops. I didn’t mean to make my post so wide!
If anyone is interested, Depeche Mode is working on a new album. They alternate between saying it’ll be out by Christmas and saying it’ll be out next spring. Which in music industry language means next summer or fall.
I’m looking forward to it.
I don’t know about anybody else, but for me, this song has always been about gettin’ into CrankyAsAnOldMan’s knickers. It hasn’t worked yet, but I’m hopin’…
A friend of mine gave me an acoustic version of “Personal Jesus” that just rules! It’s the one song in the band’s body of work – at least that I’ve heard – that has a real sense of swing.