She Left Me for Jesus

Album: Trouble in Mind (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A track from the Texas singer songwriter Hayes Carll's third album, he wrote "She Left Me for Jesus" with the guitarist Brian Keane. The song is about a libertine who loses his girl when she finds religion. At the end of the song, he even threatens to kill Jesus if he ever sees him, as he blames the son of God for stealing his girl.

    "It's not aimed at anyone's religion," Carll said in our 2013 interview. "It's aimed at intolerance and poking fun at somebody who calls himself a Christian and yet would beat up Jesus if he walked into a bar right now. That was the idea behind it."
  • There were a few folks who didn't get the joke in this song, but most people were in on it. "We had a few random threats and I've had people that didn't take it well, that didn't get it," Carll told us. "Jerry Falwell's son, I think, wrote something about it. But I've had countless ministers and rabbis come up to me and say, 'I'm a minister and the song's hilarious to me.'"
  • In 2008, the Americana Music Association awarded Song of the Year to "She Left Me For Jesus."

Comments: 4

  • Matt D. from Nyc NyI had a girlfriend who really DID leave me for Jesus... It wasn't funny then, but it is now!
  • AnonymousCome back when you're a little older, Emma. Hopefully you'll see the humour in the song then.
  • Dave from OhioFormer seminarian and practicing Christian. This is a brilliant, funny satirical song. I speak from the hear when I say that Jesus is laughing his butt off!
  • Emma from KsI am a preteen who is very close to god and I very much take offense to this song. You are offending Jesus and you call yourself a minister, you really need to get your act together. I find most of your songs nice and sad and loving but this one surprised me.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.