Though Easter may now be synonymous with chocolate eggs and bunnies to some, it is the most important date on the Christian calendar. In the music world, contemporary Christian music and its subgenres have increased in popularity since the 1980s, though you don’t have to be into Christian rock to hear the big man brought up. In fact, Jesus continues to have quite a career in the secular, pop culture world.
Although Madonna’s controversial “Like a Prayer” video was quite a doozy in its day – protested by religious groups, condemned by the Vatican and the reason Madonna lost her Pepsi endorsement – people didn’t seem to be too bothered when Nicki Minaj brought a fake pope as her date to the Grammys this year. Have we started to care less, or are we just more accustomed to the Son of God being referenced in pop culture?
Whether it be Kanye’s earnest attempt to rap about his faith, or Jesus building a hotrod for Ministry, below is a collection of Jesus references in popular music. Feel free to comment or add to the list in the comments below.
Depeche Mode, “Personal Jesus”
Carrie Underwood, “Jesus Take the Wheel”
The Flaming Lips, “God Walks Among us Now (Jesus No.6)”
Morrissey, “I Have Forgiven Jesus”
Robbie Williams, “Jesus in a Camper Van”
Byrds, “Jesus is Just Alright”
George Michael, “Jesus to a Child”
Frank Zappa, “Jesus Thinks You’re a Jerk”
Dolly Parton, “Jesus and Gravity”
Green Day, “Jesus of Suburbia”
Jefferson Airplane, “The Son of Jesus”
Jesus and Mary Chain, “Bo Diddley is Jesus”
The Staple Singers, “Help Me Jesus”
Kris Kristofferson, “Jesus Was a Capricorn”
Bad Religion, “American Jesus”
The Ramones, “Jesus I’m not Jesus”
Cake, “Jesus Wrote a Blank Cheque”
Modest Mouse, “Jesus Christ was an Only Child”
Ministry, “Jesus Built my Hotrod”
Soundgarden, “Jesus Christ Pose”
ZZ Top, “Jesus Just Left for Chicago”
Nick Cave, “Jesus of the Moon”
Bruce Springsteen, “Jesus was an Only Son”
Violent Femmes, “Jesus Walking on the Water”
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The perfect song length is 2:42