"Jesus" is actually pretty good

Everytime the worst song in the Queen album is discussed, "Jesus" almost always seems to come out on top. At first, I thought this too. But after a dozen or so listens, began to think it may actually be the best track on the album. Or at least in the top three. It's a little rough, but no more so than the other tracks on the album. And it lacks some of the chaotic structure of some of the other songs on the album.

And it does have a pretty catchy tune. "All goin' down to SEEEEEEEEEEEE the Lord Jesus..."

For some reason, I just had to hear it a dozen times or so to really appreciate it. I'm not sure why.

Anyway, is there anyone else who at least doesn't think this is the worst song in the Queen album?

I think it's poor because it is far too clunky and simple, and part of the appeal of Queen's first album is that the songs are so varied and interesting.

I think that given how much technique and creativity there is in the other tunes, Jesus comes across as lazy.

i agree and disagree with the last posting. 'jesus' is poor or lazy? no it's not, good song, good guitar work from brian, but it's on a great album and is possibly my least favorite on that album. in years past i would have said 'modern times' is my least favorite, but has now grown on me alot. all in all jesus is a solid song, but if your talking least favorite song on a great album one song has to take a hit.

Perhaps the difference is that I don't see Queen as a particularly good album as Queen albums go. I'd rank it in their bottom three, if not their worst ever. So perhaps I tend to see the song that sticks out stylistically as a good thing rather than a bad.

Freddie-B wrote:

I think it's poor because it is far too clunky and simple, and part of the appeal of Queen's first album is that the songs are so varied and interesting.

I think that given how much technique and creativity there is in the other tunes, Jesus comes across as lazy.

I don't think that Seven Seas Of Rhye from this album was more 'much technique and creativity' than Jesus, IMO.

Jesus is a excellent song on a great album full of pomp and rock the middle part of the song features some great guitar work from brian and fully deserves any good word said about it.

I hate the seven seas of rhye ending to the album sort of ends the album on a whimper rather than a bang, mad the swine would have made a better ending to thier debut.

there's something almost military about the beat
sounds like a march, maybe to give the picture of the crowds almost "walking in step" everywhere Christ went

and the de lane lea version rocks

The vocal's a little bit gospelly.
Wasn't Godspell a big hit around then? It reminds me of that, too, as does Mad the swine.
--Egret

I like Jesus a lot actually. It's not the best song on the album but it's definitely an interesting piece of music.
I agree that you have to listen to it a few times before you actually hear how good it really is though.

Yes, finally, someone agrees with me about Jesus! I find the "instrumental inferno" in the middle to be rather cool--very 'albumy' and 'prog', which is something I admire a lot.

It annoys the crap out of me. I'm not sure why - although just reading this thread has got it stuck in my head so that might have something to do with it. Somehow, I'm not too keen on any of their preachier songs. If I was, I'd be a Jars of Clay fan instead.

I don't mind it, but it's not something I listen to that often. The only thing that bothers me is that it always gets stuck in my head if I listen to it! Same with Mad The Swine, actually. I listened to it this morning and it's still there eight hours later.

I love it... and I especially love the wild Hendrix-y jam... what a throwback sound!

It's Keep Yourself Alive I could do without.

Who wrote that song?

1quen_fan wrote:

Who wrote that song?

Freddie wrote Jesus.