Talk:Plastic Jesus (song)

Untitled
Correction made. These links are to photos of the album "Here They Are: The Goldcoast Singers" WP 1806 which contains the first publication of the song "Plastic Jesus" by it's authors, Ed Rush and George Cromarty. The 1962 copyright is clearly visible. Hopefully this will put an end to the fraudulent claim to authorship made by Ernie Marrs.  

added July 12th 2008 chrisrush1968 --Chrisrush1968 (talk) 16:44, 12 July 2008 (UTC)

Reverted reason
Reverted latest change... There is no solid evidence that Ed Rush and George Cromarty actually wrote Plastic Jesus, though they have claimed to be the authors of the original version of the song (even though Marrs get's the writing credit by virtue of being the first to publish). As stated in the article even Rush and Cromarty trace it back to earlier radio broadcasts in Louisiana. Without a solid citation of who authored this song it is better to leave the article such that the original authorship is disputed.--Isotope23 17:30, 6 April 2006 (UTC)
 * Rewritten to better illustrate that authorship issues that have surrounded this song.--Isotope23 20:24, 6 April 2006 (UTC)

Frankenchrist
This song is not on the Dead Kennedy's frankenchrist album, though stated to be in the article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mephestoo (talk • contribs) 22:22, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

Lyrics
Maybe someone should compile the verses for the various versions and post them in the article with an explanation about which version they came from (in regards to the earlier versions and then maybe some of the later folk tradition additions.) Marrs version follows:

I don't care if it rains or freezes 'Long as I got my plastic Jesus Riding on the dashboard of my car Through my trials and tribulations And my travels through the nations With my plastic Jesus I'll go far

/ D - / G - / D - A - / 1st, 2nd / D A D - /

Plastic Jesus, plastic Jesus Riding on the dashboard of my car I'm afraid He'll have to go  His magnets ruin my radio And if I have a wreck He'll leave a scar

/ D - - - / - - A - / D - / G - / D A D - /

Riding down a thoroughfare With His nose up in the air A wreck may be ahead, but He don't mind Trouble coming He don't see He just keeps His eye on me And any other thing that lies behind

Plastic Jesus, plastic Jesus Riding on the dashboard of my car Though the sunshine on His back Make Him peel, chip and crack A little patching keeps Him up to par

When I'm in a traffic jam He don't care if I say "damn" I can let all my curses roll Plastic Jesus doesn't hear 'Cause he has a plastic ear The man who invented plastic saved my soul

Plastic Jesus, plastic Jesus Riding on the dashboard of my car Once His robe was snowy white Now it isn't quite so bright Stained by the smoke of my cigar

If I weave around at night And policemen think I'm tight They never find my bottle, though they ask Plastic Jesus shelters me For His head comes off, you see He's hollow, and I use Him for a flask

Plastic Jesus, plastic Jesus Riding on the dashboard of my car Ride with me and have a dram Of the blood of the Lamb Plastic Jesus is a holy bar

—Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.105.55.170 (talk) 13:29, 30 September 2008 (UTC)

Can this lyric be included in the article without violating any copyright?

I don't care if it rains or freezes 'Long as I got my plastic Jesus Riding on the dashboard of my car

I remember that from long, long ago, well outside the Bible Belt. I'm sure may others also do; it's probably what made the song famous.

P.S.: It was from Cool Hand Luke that I remember it.

BMJ-pdx (talk) 14:55, 31 July 2019 (UTC)

Idolatry
The only obvious omission of fact from this otherwise fine article about the song could use some clarifying discussion.

The "Plastic Jesus" that is the subject of this song is worshiped as an IDOL, with little or no relation to the religion or spirituality of the figure it represents. This is a great song in part because the import of the lyrics have been so widely misunderstood (by the faithful, author of the lyrics, and the vendor of a complete line of religious dashboard bobblehead toys) as the commandment that a plastic idol of Jesus violates. It's the first one. Particularly amusing because if someone misses the meaning of the first one, what are the chances any of the rest will be even vaguely understood?

Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys evidently recorded one of the most popular versions of the song. Danshawen (talk) 14:41, 22 June 2013 (UTC)danshawen

Border Radio
The reference to a radio station in Del Rio, Texas, should probably be to XERF, just across the border from Del Rio, in Villa Acuña, Mexico, the descendant of the original border blaster, XER, founded by the goat gland doctor, John R. Brinkley. This was the station that Wolfman Jack worked for in the early 60s, depicted in American Graffiti. I don't believe there ever were any radio stations in Del Rio itself. Tex (talk) 18:16, 12 September 2019 (UTC)

Tik Tok fame
In fall of 2021, Tik Tok user "k1nneret" popularized the song on the platform. Her version alters the lyrics to the traditional first verse and has a sceond parody verse. 128.223.223.116 (talk) 00:56, 9 December 2021 (UTC)