Plastic Jesus

Plastic Jesus is an American folk song. He is Ed Rush and George Cromarty attributed to his own words in 1957 in Fresno, California, written in 1962 as The Gold Coast Singers released him on a eponymous album.

A better-known version of the song Ernie Marrs published in 1964, so he is often considered as the author of the song. Since then the song has been covered dozens of times and is today at countless variations, which are characterized by their vernacular.

The song was originally created as a parody of religious radio programs, about one out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which began with the singing slogan I do not care if it rains or freezes, leaning on the arms of my Jesus ( I do not care, whether it is raining or snowing, I'm lying in the arms of my Jesus). This was about I do not care if it rains or freezes, 'long as I got my Plastic Jesus sitting on the dashboard of my car verballhornt of Rush and Cromarty ( I do not care if it rains or snows, as long as my plastic was seated Jesus on the dashboard ) .. Rush also reports that he was from a radio broadcast from Del Rio, Texas, inspired, in a glow-in- the-dark Jesus ( Jesus glowing in the dark ) advertised which would prevent a car accident.

The supraregional become known, has the song especially its use in the film thanks to Cool Hand Luke ( Cool Hand Luke, 1967), in which the protagonist Luke, played by Paul Newman, who sings two original verses of the song. The film expanded the spectrum interpretation of the song considerably, as it is used there by the protagonist is not a parody, but as a lament for his deceased mother. The two recited verses correspond approximately to the submission of Rush and Cromarty. Ernie Marrs, however, coined a large number of variants, which spread to other religious figures and other religions in general.

Controversy

The statement of the song is to this day controversial, especially in the U.S., which has more than any other country has to offer an enormously wide spectrum of the Christian variety and teaching. In addition to the original intention to parody the custom to provide religious or secular kitsch into the car, can be found in the song depending on the perspective and critique of a penetrated by superstition and pseudo - religiosity personalized or religiosity in general. Therefore Religious people see themselves sometimes ridiculed by the song and feel it as blasphemous. Others find the song as a tribute to a distanced and ironic religiosity with a sense of self-irony.