# Secular Songs That Mention Jesus **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 25, 2004, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981 "2004-10-25T02:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/41 "2004-10-25T15:17:39Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > now to the OP, Nirvana/Kurt Cobain had a song with the line “Jesus doesn’t want me for a sunbeam.” Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam is the title. As I remember the Unplugged album, Kurt explains that it’s a traditional Christian song that the Vaselines covered. Definitely the only Nirvana song out there that featured an accordion. ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/42 "2004-10-25T15:17:53Z")
The “Christmas” number from the Who’s _Tommy_ has one: _And Tommy doesn’t know what day it is, He doesn’t know who Jesus was or what praying is. How can he be saved From the eternal grave?_ ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/43 "2004-10-25T15:43:35Z")
My all time favourite was **Big JC** by absolute genius Birmingham rocker Steve Gibbons. He is my all time favourite “why was he never a star” musician. I saw him in London in the 1970s at the Roundhouse when he was bottom of the bill and he blew everyone off the stage including Eric Burdon. Unfortunately I lost all my vinyl music over the years but hopefully a Brit Doper has the lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![down\_by\_law](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@down\_by\_law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/down_by_law)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/44 "2004-10-25T16:37:09Z")
the flaming lips have a song, “thank you jack white for the fiber-optic jesus you gave me.” and wilco has “jesus don’t cry”, but jesus is sort of used in vain there, i guess. and gangstarrs “conspiracy” has a verse like this: The S.A.T. is not geared for the lower class so why waste time even trying to pass The educational system presumes you to fail the next place is the corner then after that jail You’ve got to understand that this has all been conspired to put a strain on our brains so that the strong grow tired It even exists when you go to your church cuz up on the wall a white Jesus lurks actually, a lot of 90’s rap mentioned a “white man’s god” or a “white jesus” disparagingly. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/45 "2004-10-25T17:14:11Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > That title reminds me that Jesus also pops up in “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” by Smashing Pumpkins. The line is “Jesus was an only son.” Probably lifted from Townes van Zandt, this being the Smashing Pumpkins. From “Lungs”: _Jesus was an only son, and love his only concept Strangers cry in foreign tongues, and dirty up the doorstep_ ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/46 "2004-10-25T17:25:09Z")
> [@Evil Death](#): > > Probably lifted from Townes van Zandt, this being the Smashing Pumpkins. From “Lungs”: > > _Jesus was an only son, and love his only concept > Strangers cry in foreign tongues, and dirty up the doorstep_ I have no idea. That full bit goes: “Tell me I’m the only one Tell me there’s no other one Jesus was the only son Tell me I’m the chosen one Jesus was the only son for you” Looking back, man, that song sure is overwrought (I like it at the time, more for the music than the lyrics). But as you said, this being the Smashing Pumpkins… ---
**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/47 "2004-10-25T17:45:47Z")
_My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, and I don’t Love Jesus_ - **Jimmy Buffett** ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/48 "2004-10-25T17:48:54Z")
Another one: Moral Majority, by the Dead Kennedys. “If Jesus don’t save 'til we’re lining your pockets God must be dead if you’re alive” ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/49 "2004-10-25T18:39:12Z")
I missed the obvious one. About half the discography of Creed. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/50 "2004-10-25T20:13:07Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > I missed the obvious one. About half the discography of Creed. “The obvious one” being the word “secular” in the title, I’d guess. Creed were a Christian rock band in both senses of the phrase. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/51 "2004-10-25T21:31:45Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam is the title. But the xtian title is “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam”, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/52 "2004-10-25T21:39:56Z")
> [@Evil Death](#): > > Creed were a Christian rock band in both senses of the phrase Meaning they were a rock band and had the talent of a bag of rocks? (Note the name Creed.) > [@Cisco](#): > > But the xtian title is “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam”, isn’t it? That would make sense, but I can’t say one way or the other. Some 'net searching is called for on that one. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/53 "2004-10-25T21:55:23Z")
Just popping in to say that the Vaselines song “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (later covered by Nirvana as “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam”) is **NOT** a version of a traditional Christian hymn. Compare the lyrics (and tune) of the original [“Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam”](http://www.my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/kids_sunbeam.html) with those of [The Vaselines](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/vaselines/jesuswantsmeforasunbeam.html). Warning - first link plays an annoying MIDI file. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2004, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/54 "2004-10-25T22:15:16Z")
“Jesus and Tequila” by the Minutemen ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/55 "2004-10-26T02:13:15Z")
Sarah McLachlan, “Building a Mystery” _And a cross from faith that died before Jesus came_ ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/56 "2004-10-26T02:43:34Z")
Billy Joel’s “Goodnight Saigon,” a song about the Viet Nam war, includes the line: “We dug in deep and shot on sight and prayed to Jesus Christ with all of our might.” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/57 "2004-10-26T03:03:29Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > \*Man in the Box \* by Alice in Chains Jaay–ay-ay-ay-zus Christ– Deny yer maker… I used to cover this song in one of my bands. I loved jamming out on this one. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/58 "2004-10-26T03:11:46Z")
The Ballad of John & Yoko “Christ, you know it ain’t easy You know how hard it can be The way things are going They’re gonna crucify me!” ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/59 "2004-10-26T05:05:05Z")
Frank Zappa, “Jesus Thinks You’re a Jerk”. > [@](#): > > And Jesus will think I’m a jerk, just like you – > If you let those TV Preachers > Make a monkey out of you! > > I said: > “Jesus will think you’re a jerk” > And it will be true! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/60 "2004-10-26T05:36:10Z")
> [@Lisa-go-Blind](#): > > Just popping in to say that the Vaselines song “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (later covered by Nirvana as “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam”) is **NOT** a version of a traditional Christian hymn. Ah-ha. So basically the Vaselines did a takeoff on the title of the song, and Nirvana covered it. I think Kurt’s semi-exact words were “This is a Christian song, but we’re going to do it the way the Vaselines did it.” Not very clear, but sorta accurate when you know what the deal is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981.md?page=4)