The composer of the song was Jewish, and meant it as a joke, picking on the "LOOK AT ME, JESUS LOVES ME" type of christians.
So when you hear a christian play it, you might want to inform them that they are mocking themselves.
2006-09-12 17:59:46 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It sucks either way.
2006-09-12 18:01:30 · answer #1 · answered by lenny 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
When Greenbaum first released the single, it sold 2 million copies in 1969 and 1970. When Doctor and the Medics re-released it in 1986, it reached number 1 in 32 countries. In 2003, pop-singer Gareth Gates once again released the song in a comic relief single with The Kumars, and it reached number 1 in the charts for 2 weeks.
The song contains lyrics about Jesus and the afterlife, making several reference to Jesus and Christianity:
'Prepare yourself, you know it's a must,
'Gotta have a friend named Jesus,
'So you know that when you die,
'He's gonna recommend you to the Spirit in the Sky.'
'I've got a friend in Jesus.'
However, Norman Greenbaum was Jewish, not Christian; the song was never intended to proselytize for Christianity (or indeed for Judaism or any other religious group), but was instead a social commentary on popular religious belief.
2006-09-12 18:03:24 · answer #2 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
devlsadvoct,
I like the song. You know it as soon as you here it. But if they wanted to mock Christianity, then they can laugh in the background and suffer later. It's okay with me.
2006-09-12 18:28:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hurry! Push a virgin into a volcano and REPENT....lest ye anger the gods!
btw: No, i didn't know the meaning of the song but I will be glad to point it out to the next christian I see.
2006-09-12 18:12:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really? Haha! I had no idea, I just thought it was a silly song. His mockery comes across as just like the type he was mocking.
2006-09-12 18:02:54 · answer #5 · answered by Smiley 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually the author might have meant it as mocking, but that does not control my interpretation or inspiration. I appreciate the specific information as I had wondered.
2006-09-12 18:03:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Seems to me from what I see, that Christians as I see them should not care, as they say that those things don't mean what others intended them to be, to them. Like Christmas has pagan origins, but Christians say; it doen't mean that anymore and they celebrate it anyway. So why should that song be any different to them. s98310 proves my point.
2006-09-12 18:05:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No! I did not know that. It is one of my favourite songs. Every time I hear it...I have to crank it up.
I don't belong to an organized religion.
I don't refer to myself as Christian.
I just really like that song.
Thanks for the info.
2006-09-12 18:11:13 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who cares.
I have a sense of humor.
I've yet to see the mocking part in that wikipedia article.....
I've seen a lot worse things to be offended by.
2006-09-12 18:03:39 · answer #9 · answered by rxqueen♥ † 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
But would they listen if you told them them that? They would pick and choose what parts of the song that best suited their needs... hey .. that sounds familiar now doesn't it.
2006-09-12 19:38:39 · answer #10 · answered by genaddt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More people need to mock christianity.
2006-09-12 18:22:02 · answer #11 · answered by Mere Mortal 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋