Alexei Volkov
Plastic Jesus is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song has been covered by various artists, including Ernie Marrs, Janis Joplin, and Snow Patrol. The song's lyrics refer to a plastic Jesus figurine sitting on the dashboard of a car and explore themes of comfort, protection, and commercialism of religious figures. While some people find the lyrics offensive, others interpret them as a critique of those who cheapen the image of Jesus through religious kitsch. The song's folk tradition has led to the addition of various verses referring to different religious figures and beliefs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Folk |
| Authors | Ed Rush and George Cromarty |
| Year | 1957 |
| Artist(s) | Ernie Marrs, The Goldcoast Singers, Snow Patrol, Guido Belcanto, Joe Bethancourt, The Flaming Lips, Janis Joplin, Don Imus, Billy Idol, Jackass, Eddie Marrs |
| Lyrics | "I don't care if it rains or freezes, long as I got my plastic Jesus, sittin' on the dashboard of my car" |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic Jesus was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song was initially recorded by Rush and Cromarty as The Goldcoast Singers in 1962. The song was released on the album "Here They Are! The Goldcoast Singers (wp-1806)" on World Pacific Records. The song was written as a humorous ad spoof and was inspired by a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas, in the mid-1950s. The station was allegedly run by a dentist and religious fanatic who sold outrageous products with alleged magical healing properties.
Over the years, the song has been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965. Marrs developed the song further and added more verses, taking credit for the song in the process. This incorrect attribution may have persisted due to the folk music magazine Sing Out! (Volume 14, Issue 2, Page 40) crediting a version of the lyrics and music to Ernie Marrs. Despite this, ASCAP and the song's publisher, EMI Music Publishing, list Rush and Cromarty as the original authors.
The song "Plastic Jesus" has been covered and reinterpreted numerous times by various artists, including Billy Idol, The Flaming Lips, and Snow Patrol. These interpretations have often included additional verses and have been incorporated into the folk tradition, with references to Mary, Joseph, the Apostles, or the Devil. Some people have found the lyrics offensive, interpreting them as sacrilegious. However, the song's intention is to critique those who commercialize the image of Jesus by selling cheap religious trinkets and kitsch.
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The song is a humorous spoof
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song is a humorous spoof on a Christian radio station in Del Rio, Texas, that ran ads with copy that resembled the song's lyrics. The station was allegedly run by a dentist and religious fanatic who sold products with "magical healing properties."
Rush and Cromarty first recorded the song as a spoof commercial in 1962, performing it as The Goldcoast Singers on World Pacific Records' "Here They Are! The Goldcoast Singers." The song includes references to various religious figures, such as Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Apostles, and the Devil, with lyrics like "I don't care if it rains or freezes/Long as I have my plastic Jesus/Riding on the dashboard of my car."
The song has evolved over time, with additional verses and variations being introduced. For example, folk singer Joe Bethancourt has created parodies of "Plastic Jesus" on his website, including "Plastic Vishnu" and "Plastic Cthulhu."
While some people may find the lyrics offensive, the song is not intended to be sacrilegious. Instead, it spoofs and criticizes the commercialization and cheapening of religious figures, particularly Jesus, through the sale of religious kitsch and trinkets.
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It was inspired by a Christian radio station
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song was inspired by a Christian radio station in Del Rio, Texas, which ran ads that resembled the lyrics of the song. Rush and Cromarty initially recorded the song as a humorous ad spoof in 1962 as The Goldcoast Singers on World Pacific Records' "Here They Are! The Goldcoast Singers." The song's authorship has been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965. However, Rush and Cromarty are listed as the authors by ASCAP and the song's publisher, EMI Music Publishing.
The inspiration for the song "Plastic Jesus" came from a specific religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas, in the mid-1950s. This radio station was allegedly run by a dentist and religious fanatic who sold various items with supposed magical healing properties. The song was written as a reaction to and a parody of the ads that this Christian radio station ran.
The song's lyrics, which refer to a "plastic Jesus" sitting on the dashboard of a car, can be interpreted as critiquing the commercialization and cheapening of religious figures and symbols. The song may be commenting on how religious figures are used for profit, often in the form of kitschy trinkets or souvenirs. This interpretation aligns with the context of the Christian radio station, which sold products with supposed spiritual significance.
The song "Plastic Jesus" has evolved over time, with various artists adding their own verses and interpretations. It has become a part of folk tradition, with different versions and parodies emerging. Despite the lighthearted and humorous tone of the song, some people have found the lyrics offensive, misunderstanding the song's intention. The song is not meant to be sacrilegious but rather criticizes the commercialization and trivialization of religious figures.
Overall, the song "Plastic Jesus" was directly inspired by a Christian radio station in Texas and the unique advertisements it aired. This inspiration shaped the song's lyrics and theme, contributing to its enduring legacy in American folk music.
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The song's authorship has been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. They recorded it as a humorous ad spoof in 1962 as The Goldcoast Singers. The song's authorship has been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965. Rush and Cromarty are listed as the authors by ASCAP and the song's publisher, EMI Music Publishing.
Ernie Marrs is sometimes credited as the songwriter because the folk music magazine Sing Out! (Volume 14, Issue Number 2, Page 40) credits a version of the lyrics and music to him. However, it seems that the original version was recorded by Cromarty and Rush as The Goldcoast Singers in the context of a fake spiritual radio broadcast, including only two verses and no chorus. Marrs developed it into a more complete song and took credit for it.
Some people are offended by the lyrics, failing to realize that the song is not meant to be sacrilegious. Instead, it is aimed at those who cheapen the image of Jesus by selling religious kitsch. The song's inspiration came from a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas, in the mid-1950s. The station was allegedly run by a dentist and religious fanatic who sold "the most outrageous stuff imaginable, all with magical healing properties."
The Eddie Marrs version of the song became popular due to its inclusion in the film Cool Hand Luke, where Paul Newman's character sings it after learning of his mother's death. Over the years, the folk tradition of this song has grown, with several additional verses being added. Many folk lyrics refer to Jesus, but other verses mention Mary, Joseph, the Apostles, or the Devil.
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The song has been covered by several artists
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song was originally recorded by the duo in 1962 as The Goldcoast Singers on World Pacific Records' "Here They Are!". Over the years, the song has been covered by several artists and has become a popular folk tradition.
One notable cover of "Plastic Jesus" is by Ernie Marrs, who recorded the song in 1965. Marrs is sometimes credited as the songwriter due to his popular version of the song. Other artists who have covered the song include Don Imus, who sang a modified version while he was on WHK in Cleveland, and Janis Joplin, who was mentioned by a commenter as having their favourite version of the song.
The Flaming Lips also covered "Plastic Jesus" on their 1993 album "Transmissions From the Satellite Heart". Billy Idol and Guido Belcanto are other notable artists who have performed the song.
The song has also been featured in popular culture, such as in the 1967 movie "Cool Hand Luke", where it was sung by Paul Newman, and in the Billy Sol Hargis skits on the "Imus in the Morning" radio program.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not a Christian song. It was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957 as a humorous ad spoof. The song was inspired by a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas, that sold "magical" religious products.
The song has been performed by many artists, including Ernie Marrs, Janis Joplin, The Flaming Lips, Snow Patrol, and Billy Idol.
The lyrics to the song include: "I don't care if it rains or freezes / Long as I have my plastic Jesus / Riding on the dashboard of my car / Through all trials and tribulations / We will travel every nation / With my plastic Jesus I'll go far".
The song is about the commercialisation and cheapening of the image of Jesus, often sold as religious kitsch. It is not meant to be sacrilegious but rather a critique of those who sell religious trinkets.
