American Jesus

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This article is about the music single by Bad Religion. For other uses, see American Jesus (disambiguation).
"American Jesus"
Single by Bad Religion
from the album Recipe for Hate
Released1993
GenrePunk rock[1][2]
Length3:18
LabelAtlantic,[3] Sympathy For The Record Industry,[4] Semaphore Records[5]
Songwriter(s)Brett Gurewitz, Greg Graffin
Producer(s)Bad Religion
Bad Religion singles chronology
"Atomic Garden"
(1992) 		"American Jesus"
(1993) 		"Struck a Nerve"
(1993)

"American Jesus" is a song by American punk rock band Bad Religion. It was the first single from their 1993 album Recipe for Hate and their second all-time single, after signing to Atlantic Records. Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam provides backing vocals on the track.[6]

Explanation

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"American Jesus" takes on the idea that God favors America, rather than other countries. Greg Graffin said "During the Gulf War, George Bush said, 'We'll win, because God is on our side!'. What an amazing statement!" The song touches on antisemitism, war, and religion as an excuse.[7]

Music video

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The video is entirely in sepia tone. It shows the band driving around in a car through Los Angeles, with various pedestrians carrying crosses around the city with blindfolds on. The video cuts to clips of the band performing in the desert as well as Graffin walking through the city. It ends with the civilians chanting "one nation, under God" while standing in a row.

Track listing

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Atlantic CD Promo[3]

  1. "American Jesus" (radio remix version)

Sympathy For The Record Industry 7" Single[4]

  1. "American Jesus"
  2. "Stealth"

Semaphore Records CD Promo[5]

  1. "American Jesus"
  2. "Skyscraper"

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ritland, Erik (11 January 2023). "The 25 Best Punk Songs to Help You Stick it to the Man". Music in Minnesota. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  2. ^ Staff (August 17, 2021). "The 50 Best Punk Songs of All Time". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Bad Religion – American Jesus (1993, CD)". Discogs.com. 1993. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Bad Religion – American Jesus (1993, Green Labels, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1993. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Bad Religion – American Jesus (1993, CD)". Discogs.com. 1993. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Eddie Vedder - The Answer - The Bad Religion Page - Since 1995". Thebrpage.net. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Hate Core! | Media | The Bad Religion Page - Since 1995". Thebrpage.net. Retrieved 2017-05-06.
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