Sofia Martinez
Plastic Jesus is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song was recorded as a humorous ad spoof in 1962 by The Goldcoast Singers. The song has been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965. The song gained popularity when it was featured in the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke, where Paul Newman's character sings it after learning of his mother's death. The song has been covered by various artists over the years, including Billy Idol and Rocky Votolato.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year written | 1957 |
| Writers | Ed Rush and George Cromarty |
| Genre | American folk |
| Adaptations | Ernie Marrs adapted the lyrics and tune in 1965 |
| Covers | Billy Idol, Rocky Votolato, Paul Newman, and many others |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- 'Plastic Jesus' was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957
- The song was inspired by a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas
- Ernie Marrs adapted the song in 1965, adding several verses
- The song was popularised by Paul Newman in the 1967 film 'Cool Hand Luke'
- Billy Idol's cover of 'Plastic Jesus' is one of the most notable versions
'Plastic Jesus' was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957
"Plastic Jesus", an American folk song, was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. Rush and Cromarty recorded the song in 1962 as The Goldcoast Singers on World Pacific Records' "Here They Are! The Goldcoast Singers". The song was written as a humorous spoof ad 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 products with "magical healing properties".
While Rush and Cromarty are listed as the authors by ASCAP and the song's publisher, EMI Music Publishing, the song has often been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965. Marrs adapted the lyrics and tune and is credited with adding much more to the basic song. However, he is not the original songwriter. The original version was recorded by Cromarty and Rush as a fake spiritual radio broadcast with only two verses and no chorus.
The Eddie Marrs version of "Plastic Jesus" gained popularity due to its inclusion in the 1967 movie "Cool Hand Luke", where Paul Newman's character sings the song after learning of his mother's death. The song has since been covered by several artists, including Billy Idol, who included it on his 2005 album "Devil's Playground".
Over the years, following folk tradition, many additional verses and lyrics have been added to the song, with folk singer Joe Bethancourt even creating parodies such as "Plastic Vishnu" and "Plastic Cthulhu".
The Evolution of Tampons: Plastic Applicators
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The song was inspired by a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song was inspired by a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas, in the mid-1950s. Rush and Cromarty wrote the song in reaction to a Christian radio station that ran ads that sounded like the lyrics of this song. The station was allegedly run by a dentist and religious fanatic who sold "the most outrageous stuff imaginable", all with supposed magical healing properties. One summer broadcast contained the line "...leaning on the arms of Jesus, wrapped in the bosom of the Lord...".
Ed Rush traced the song back to an African-American camp-meeting song with the lyrics, "I don't care if it rains or freezes, leaning on the arms of my Jesus". This was the theme song of a religious radio program broadcast from Baton Rouge in the 1940s. Rush and Cromarty recorded "Plastic Jesus" as part of a fake Christian radio broadcast, under the fake band name "The Goldcoast Singers". The song was first released on their 1962 album "Here They Are! The Goldcoast Singers".
The song has been covered by dozens of artists, including Ernie Marrs, who adapted the lyrics and tune in 1965. Marrs is sometimes incorrectly credited as the songwriter because the folk music magazine "Sing Out!" credited a version of the lyrics and music to him. The song gained further popularity when it was featured in the 1967 film "Cool Hand Luke", where Paul Newman sings it after his character learns of his mother's death.
Despite the humorous and satirical nature of the song, 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 and trinkets in His image. "Plastic Jesus" can be interpreted as a critique of what Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer calls "cheap grace", or "the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance".
Distilled Water: Plastic Impurities and Their Effects
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ernie Marrs adapted the song in 1965, adding several verses
"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 on World Pacific Records' "Here They Are! The Goldcoast Singers". The authorship of the song has historically been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965, along with the "'Marrs Family' (friends Kay Cothran and Bud Foote). This version was included in the 1967 film "Cool Hand Luke", in which Paul Newman sings the song while playing a banjo.
The song "Plastic Jesus" shares a melody with Woody Guthrie's "Oklahoma Hills". Ed Rush has stated that the inspiration for the song 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 various items with "magical healing properties". Rush traced the song back to an African-American camp-meeting song with the lyrics, "I don't care if it rains or freezes, leaning on the arms of my Jesus". This was the theme song of a religious radio program broadcast from Baton Rouge in the 1940s.
The song "Plastic Jesus" has become a popular folk song with many optional verses added over the years. Folk singer Joe Bethancourt has created parodies of the song, including "Plastic Vishnu," "Plastic Cthulhu," and an ecumenical version containing verses referencing several religions (Buddhism, Judaism, etc.). The song has also been covered by many artists, including The Flaming Lips, Mojo Nixon, Jack Johnson, Billy Idol, and Snow Patrol.
Plastic's Impact: Does It Affect Vodka's Flavor?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The song was popularised by Paul Newman in the 1967 film 'Cool Hand Luke'
The American folk song "Plastic Jesus" was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song was first recorded in 1962 by the authors themselves under the alias "The Goldcoast Singers". However, the song was popularised when it was featured in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, starring Paul Newman.
In the film, Paul Newman's character, Luke, sings "Plastic Jesus" after learning of his mother's death. The song choice was reportedly a joke by Newman, who suggested the song from TV commercials when asked if he knew any poignant songs for the scene. The song's lyrics and melody, which are often considered humorous, take on a more melancholy tone in the context of Luke's grief.
The song has often been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965. Marrs may have been credited as the songwriter due to his reputation for being able to recall the lyrics of any folk song. However, Rush and Cromarty are listed as the authors by ASCAP and the song's publisher, EMI Music Publishing.
The popularity of "Plastic Jesus" in Cool Hand Luke contributed to the song's enduring legacy and cultural impact. The scene in which Luke sings the song is particularly memorable due to the raw emotion conveyed by Newman and the unique backdrop of the propeller fan, creating a distinctive distortion and adding to the poignancy of the moment.
Creative Ways to Upcycle Plastic Bracelet Cords
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$13.58 $19.99
Billy Idol's cover of 'Plastic Jesus' is one of the most notable versions
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song was recorded as a humorous ad spoof in 1962 by Rush and Cromarty under the name The Goldcoast Singers. The song has often been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965. Marrs' version was popularised by the film Cool Hand Luke, in which Paul Newman sings the song.
One of the most notable covers of "Plastic Jesus" is by Billy Idol. Idol is a British singer-songwriter who first rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead singer of the punk rock band Generation X. He later embarked on a successful solo career, achieving international recognition. Idol's cover of "Plastic Jesus" is well-known and showcases his unique style and interpretation of the folk song.
The song has been covered by various artists and has had several additional verses added over the years. Folk singer Joe Bethancourt has parodies of the song on his website, including "Plastic Vishnu" and "Plastic Cthulhu," showcasing the song's versatility and cultural impact.
Billy Idol's version of "Plastic Jesus" is significant because it brings the folk song to a new audience and showcases Idol's talent and versatility as an artist. His cover is a respectful yet modern interpretation of the traditional folk song, demonstrating its enduring appeal and relevance in popular culture.
Idol's cover of "Plastic Jesus" has helped introduce the song to a younger generation and has likely contributed to its lasting popularity. His version showcases the song's ability to transcend genres and appeal to diverse audiences, highlighting the enduring nature of folk music and its ability to evolve and remain relevant in contemporary music.
The Whisper of Isla's Heart in Plastic Memories
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The song "Plastic Jesus" was written in 1957.
The song was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty.
Ernie Marrs adapted the lyrics and tune of "Plastic Jesus" in 1965.
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written as a humorous ad spoof. The song is about cheapening the image of Jesus by selling religious kitsch.
