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

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.