33 "GOD"

Album: 22, A Million (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The theme of soul-searching runs throughout the 22, A Million album. This song finds Bon Iver mainman Justin Vernon questioning God's existence as he asks why the Almighty hasn't shown him any reason to believe in Him.
  • Why are you so far from saving me?

    The song ends by referencing the anguished Psalm 22. Its official lyric video opens with an epigraph that contains the same quote.
  • Vernon explained why religion plays a large thematic role on 22, A Million. "When you use enough of that language, it perks some people's ears up," he told The New York Times. "I do love those words, I love the word consecration, these holy words so to speak. I like using them in a way people haven't heard before, or right next to a bunch of swear words. It's just fun - it puts a smile on my face."
  • Each song title on 22, a Million begins with a number that is of significance to the lyrical content. The number 33 here refers to the age of Jesus Christ's passing. The song is also 3 minutes and 33 seconds in length and was intentionally made available 33 days prior to the release of the album.
  • This samples the "I find God and religions too" line from Paolo Nutini's 2014 track, "Iron Sky." Vernon recalled to Uncut:

    "I met this guy on a very messy night in London. I didn't know who he was, but I heard from my friends that he's a good soul singer. A few days later I was sitting in a hotel room and I heard that line 'I find God and religions too,' and it fit well among the songs I was already working on."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.