Jesus Is Love

Album: Heroes (1980)
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Songfacts®:

  • "Jesus Is Love" is a pure gospel song by the Commodores, a group known for secular - and sometimes risqué - hits like "Brick House" and "Slippery When Wet." It was written and sung by Lionel Richie, who at one point considered becoming a priest. The song is an expression of his religious conviction. The song was often performed in churches.
  • Despite having very little hit potential, "Jesus Is Love" was released as a single and reached #34 of the R&B chart. The single was cut down to 4:26 from the album version, which runs 6:04.
  • James Anthony Carmichael, a Motown mainstay, produced and arranged this track along with the group. He brought in a gospel choir to perform on it.
  • This is the last song on Heroes, the eighth Commodores album. It was near the end of Lionel Richie's tenure with the group: he went solo two years later.
  • This is one of Lionel Richie's favorites. "It will always be that song in case you just don't know which way you're going," he told Entertainment Weekly in 2021. "The first verse of "Jesus Is Love" would be the prayer I would wish for everybody on the planet, because that's where we are."

    The first verse is:

    Father
    Help your children
    And don't let them fall
    By the side of the road

Comments: 5

  • Lisa U from Tokyo, JapanI was in High School in 1980 and never heard this song until TODAY. I did not know it existed. Thank you Lionel Richie for bravely sharing the answer to the world's problems when you were told it would hurt your career.
  • Ben Stroud from Oak Park, IlThank you Lionel Richie for letting the Lord use you to write such a wonderful song. I personally would like to hear Elton John perform it at least once.
  • #iamjackietaiken from South CarolinaIt’s all about JESUS.. I am so grateful you wrote this to let the WORLD KNOW JESUS IS TRULY LOVE & As you say that first part is so needed in 2024 & Years to come THANK YOU SO MUCH LIONEL
  • Chad Eicher from Apple Creek, OhioThis song speaks to me in so many ways. As a Christian, this is truly one of the most up-lifting songs of all time. Also, I wish I could meet Lionel in person and maybe get a chance to sing "Hello" with him in concert.
  • La Hicks from ArkansasLionell, you did it!! This song is over 40 years old, but I love it to this day JESUS IS LOVE!! I KNOW! G
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