American Jesus

Album: Recipe for Hate (1993)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In accordance with their band name, Bad Religion often takes on what they feel is misguided religious sentiment in their songs, and "American Jesus" flogs the concept of a nation believing it more blessed by God than other countries.

    Lead singer Greg Graffin and guitarist Brett Gurewitz wrote the song in response to US President George H. W. Bush's comment that the US would win the Gulf War (the first one) because God is on their side. It's pretty much a satirical view on the general American thought that the United States is the most powerful nation in the world because it is "One nation under God." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Laura - Dallas, TX
  • Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam sang backup on this track.
  • Gore Verbinski, who also did the Bad Religion clips for "Atomic Garden," "Stranger Than Fiction" and "21st Century (Digital Boy)," directed the video, which shows the band performing while various people walk around with giant crosses (which were made of styrofoam).

Comments: 3

  • Charles E. Barr from TexasBad Religion, pretty timeless.
  • D Allen from CaliforniaOne of the greatest responses to republicans in this country, and religious nuts sad part they still think the same as then and now.
  • Patty from China Town, United KingdomHa, I can see Eddie Vedder doing something like that: singing back up just to spite republicans. I wonder if Kurt Cobain knew if Eddie did a little punk stuff, seeing as how Kurt hated Pearl Jam but loved punk.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.