Alexei Volkov
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 authorship of the song has been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who adapted the lyrics and recorded a version in 1965. The song was adapted further for the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke and has since been covered by several artists, including Billy Idol and Jello Biafra.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Name | Plastic Jesus |
| Writers | Ed Rush, George Cromarty |
| Year | 1957 |
| Performers | The Goldcoast Singers, Ernie Marrs, Billy Idol, Jello Biafra, Mojo Nixon, Rocky Votolato |
| Movies | Cool Hand Luke |
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What You'll Learn
'Plastic Jesus' was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957
"Plastic Jesus" was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song was recorded in 1962 by the Goldcoast Singers, a folk duo known for their comedic and revivalist style. The inspiration for the song came from a religious radio station in mid-1950s Texas that sold "the most outrageous stuff imaginable, all with magical healing properties".
Over the years, the song has become a standard, with various artists performing and recording their own versions. For example, it was performed by Paul Newman in the film "Cool Hand Luke" and has been recorded by artists such as The Flaming Lips, Billy Idol, and Snow Patrol.
The song has also been the subject of debate regarding its authorship. Some sources credit Ernie Marrs for adding significantly to the basic song, although he is not officially recognised. Others mention Paul King and Tom Lehrer as potential writers, while some early performers believed it to be a folk song without a specific author.
Despite the discussions around its origins, the song "Plastic Jesus" has endured as a notable piece of music, with various artists covering and interpreting it over the years, adding their own verses and lyrics following the folk tradition.
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The song was inspired by a Christian radio station in Del Rio, Texas
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. The song was recorded in 1962 as a humorous ad spoof by The Goldcoast Singers. The song's authorship has often been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965.
In one instance, the station played a summer broadcast that included the line "...leaning on the arms of Jesus, wrapped in the bosom of the Lord...". This specific line is cited as an example of the station's unique content, which caught the attention of Rush and Cromarty.
The song was originally recorded as part of a fake Christian radio broadcast, with the songwriters adopting the fake band name "The Goldcoast Singers". Ernie Marrs adapted the lyrics and tune in 1965, and the song has since been covered by numerous artists, including Billy Idol and Rocky Votolato.
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It was adapted by Ernie Marrs in 1965
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. It was first recorded by the songwriters in 1962 as a humorous ad spoof under the fake band name "The Goldcoast Singers".
Ernie Marrs adapted the song in 1965. Marrs's version is sometimes incorrectly credited as the original. This is because the folk music magazine Sing Out! (Volume 14, issue number 2, page 40) credits the lyrics and music to him. However, Rush and Cromarty are listed as the authors by ASCAP and the song's publisher, EMI Music Publishing.
In adapting the song, Marrs added much more to the very basic original version. He developed it into a much more complete song, including additional verses and a chorus. Marrs's version was recorded under his own name and has since been covered by dozens of artists, including Billy Idol, who performed a notable version in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke.
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The song was featured in the 1967 film 'Cool Hand Luke'
"Plastic Jesus" is an American folk song written and recorded by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957. They recorded it as a humorous ad spoof in 1962 under the fake band name "The Goldcoast Singers". The song was adapted for the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, starring Paul Newman.
In the film, Luke sings:
> "I don't care if it rains or freezes, long as I got my plastic Jesus, sittin' on the dashboard of my car. Comes in colours, pink and pleasant, glows in the dark 'cause it's iridescent. Take it with you when you travel far. Get yourself a sweet Madonna, dressed in rhinestones, sittin' on a pedestal of an abalone shell. Goin' ninety, I ain't scary, 'cause I've got the Virgin Mary, assuring me that I won't go to hell."
This scene is particularly poignant as it follows the news of Luke's mother's death. The concept of Luke as a Jesus figure is a recurring theme throughout the movie.
The song has been covered by several artists, including Billy Idol and Rocky Votolato, and has been the subject of lyrical variations and parodies. The authorship of the song has been incorrectly attributed to Ernie (Eddie) 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.
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The song has been covered by many artists, including Billy Idol
"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 a fake Christian radio broadcast under the pseudonym "The Goldcoast Singers". The song was adapted by Ernie Marrs in 1965, who added more verses and a chorus, and is sometimes credited as the songwriter.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Billy Idol, who included it on his 2005 album "Devil's Playground". Other notable covers include Jello Biafra (with Mojo Nixon) on their album "Prairie Home Invasion", and Rocky Votolato in 2007. The Flaming Lips also covered the song on their 1993 album "Transmissions From the Satellite Heart".
The song gained popularity after being featured in the 1967 film "Cool Hand Luke", where it was performed by Paul Newman. The lyrics of the song in the film include the famous lines: "I don't care if it rains or freezes / Long as I got my plastic Jesus / Sittin' on the dashboard of my car". The song's lighthearted and irreverent tone, coupled with its catchy melody, has made it a favourite for many artists to cover and adapt over the years.
The original version of "Plastic Jesus" was written as a humorous ad spoof, inspired by a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas, that sold religious products with supposed magical healing properties. The song's lyrics satirise the commercialisation of religion and those who cheapen the image of Jesus by selling kitsch religious trinkets.
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Frequently asked questions
The song was written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957.
The version of the song that appeared in the 1967 film was sung by the film's star, Paul Newman.
Ernie Marrs is often credited with developing the song and adapting the lyrics and tune in 1965. However, this is controversial because Rush and Cromarty are listed as the song's authors by ASCAP and EMI Music Publishing.
