SONG OF THE DAY
“Plastic Jesus” as performed by Paul Newman during the 1967Â film Cool Hand Luke. Written by Ed Rush & George Cromarty.
INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia)
– “Plastic Jesus” is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957.
– They recorded it as a humorous ad spoof in 1962 as The Goldcoast Singers on World Pacific Records’ Here They Are! The Goldcoast Singers (wp-1806).
– The authorship of the song has historically been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs. Rush and Cromarty are listed as the authors by ASCAP and by the song’s publisher, EMI Music Publishing. Ernie Marrs is sometimes credited as the songwriter due to the folk music magazine Sing Out! (Volume 14, issue number 2, page 40) crediting a version of the lyrics and music to him.
– Ed Rush has stated that the inspiration for the song came from a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas in the mid 1950s. The station was allegedly run by a dentist and religious fanatic who “sold the most outrageous stuff imaginable, all with magical healing properties.” One summer broadcast in particular contained the line “…leaning on the arms of Jesus, wrapped in the bosom of the Lord…”
– Ernie Marrs, along with the “Marrs Family” (friends Kay Cothran and Bud Foote) recorded a version of Plastic Jesus in 1965 that was featured in the motion picture Cool Hand Luke (1967).
– In the film, Paul Newman also sings the song while playing a banjo.
– In 1972, King Earl Boogie Band, formed by Paul King and Colin Earl of Mungo Jerry, recorded the song for their album Trouble At Mill.
– In 1993, The Flaming Lips included the song on their album Transmissions from the Satellite Heart, though on the album the track is titled “*******”.
– 1994: Mojo Nixon and Jello Biafra on the Prairie Home Invasion album
– 2001: Jack Johnson on the live album Live at Boulder
– 2005: Billy Idol on the album Devil’s Playground
– Over the years, the folk tradition of this song has grown. Several additional, optional verses have been added to the song. Many folk lyrics refer to Jesus, but several other verses refer to Mary, Joseph, the Apostles, or the Devil. Folksinger Joe Bethancourt has parodies of Plastic Jesus on his website, including Plastic Vishnu, Plastic Cthulhu and an ecumenical version containing verses referencing several religions (Buddhism, Judaism, etc.).
LYRICS
Well, I don’t care if it rains or freezes,
Long as I have my plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car
Through all trials and tribulations,
We will travel every nation,
With my plastic Jesus I’ll go far.
CHORUS
Plastic Jesus, plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car
Through my trials and tribulations,
And my travels thru the nations,
With my plastic Jesus I’ll go far.
I don’t care if it rains or freezes
As long as I’ve got my Plastic Jesus
Glued to the dashboard of my car,
You can buy Him phosphorescent
Glows in the dark, He’s Pink and Pleasant,
Take Him with you when you’re traveling far
I don’t care if it’s dark or scary
Long as I have magnetic Mary
Ridin’ on the dashboard of my car
I feel I’m protected amply
I’ve got the whole damn Holy Family
Riding on the dashboard of my car
You can buy a Sweet Madonna
Dressed in rhinestones sitting on a
Pedestal of abalone shell
Goin’ ninety, I’m not wary
‘Cause I’ve got my Virgin Mary
Guaranteeing I won’t go to Hell
I don’t care if it bumps or jostles
Long as I got the Twelve Apostles
Bolted to the dashboard of my car
Don’t I have a pious mess
Such a crowd of holiness
Strung across the dashboard of my car.