I’m Jewish and proud of it, but I have no problem admitting that Carrie Underwood’s "Jesus, Take the Wheel" is a damn (have I already sinned in the first sentence?) good song that I thoroughly enjoy belting in the privacy of, say, my car. I also love to sing along to the Byrds’ "The Christian Life" whenever Sweetheart of the Rodeo pops up on my iPod. Still, I found it curious to learn that "Jesus, Take the Wheel" has apparently made it to the synagogue circuit. Nashville songwriter Hillary Lindsey, who collaborated with Underwood (pictured) on the Grammy Award-winning tune, told me last night at the Global Green pre-Oscar party that a friend from New York recently called to say he’d heard it played at a bar mitzvah (one can only assume it was a Reform affair). "Talk about crossing over!" she chuckled.
The next morning, I called a photographer pal of mine who specializes in shooting New York-area weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs and he, too, recalled hearing the song at a Jewish function. Inappropriate? Some would say so. Certainly my mom did whenever I’d break into some spiritual twang (and not of the klezmer variety), but at the same time, doesn’t it feel nice to bridge a cultural divide with something as simple as an undeniable melody?
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It depends on what form of Judaism you practice. You see technically Jesus was radical rabbi. Jews don’t accept him as an idol or a savior but as a messenger just as Abraham and Moses were messengers.
Maybe this is splitting hairs, but I’m Catholic and must confess to singing along boisterously to George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord”. Granted, it’s the middle of the song before the Hari Krishna reference is obvious, but still….I don’t think absolute belief is required to appreciate a good song. Please tell me we’re not going to start requiring a religious test for pop songs/singers.
I like “Jesus Is Just Alright” by the Doobie Brothers!
Actually, there is a very large and growing segment of the population who are Messianic Jews. The song would be considered appropriate for a celebration in that light.
That song is awful, I don’t care where you play it.
Yeah, I agree with you. First reaction to a song is of course the beat, melody, tune whatever…the lyrics are usually secondary. Heck I never understood most of the lyrics to the songs I loved in my younger days. But I dug the tunes. And I’m always drawn to a powerhouse bridge or chorus.
Okay, so forgive a southern girl who has never been to a bar/bat mitzvah what might be a stupid question. But…why would you play a song like this at a bar mitzvah anyway. Its kind of depressing…and I don’t see the connection to a celebration. I mean, I wouldn’t play it at a wedding reception.
But on the for serious tip, the song is less about Jesus in a spiritual sense and more about a woman changing her life for the better. Which is not a bad thing. But thats just me.
Don’t forget about Christian rock classic “Spirit in the Sky” by the clearly Jewish Norman Greenbaum. No gentile would ever have a name like that.
Exactly, Norman Greenbaum. And there are a bunch of Jewish singers who have covered Christmas songs. It really has nothing to do with the mentioning of Jesus but the theme of the song which is depressing. I would never use that song just like I would never use “My Heart Will Go On”.
I’m fine with the bar mitzvah thing, but let’s keep it out of the “just got my driver’s license” parties. Talk about your contradictory messages…
Not only have Jews covered Christmas songs, Stephanie, they’ve written them. Both White Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer were penned by Jews.
Well, I’m not sure the issue is about whether Jewish people will sing along with this, as much as it is about playing a homage to Jesus at a celebration of a key Jewish ritual, which is possibly actually in the synagogue with the rabbi looking on. That said, these are 13-year-old kids, and all they’re really thinking about at the function is how to scam whiskey sours out of the bartender. The song may not be the biggest problem.
I was at an event for the National Alliance for Mental Illness where the DJ played a certain song by Gnarls Barkley. Yep, that one.
The song isn’t played during the actual ceremony is it? That I’d find pretty weird. If it’s during the festivities afterwards then what’s the biggy? It’s just music the youngun’s enjoy.
You have Sweethearts of the Rodeo on your iPod? Wow. Will you marry me?
I’m Christian and I can’t stand “Jesus Take the Wheel”. Personally, I think Jesus wants me to keep driving the car.
Jesus was Jewish. The first Christians were Jewish. However if you are not a Messianic Jew in modern times, then playing it at a Bar Mitzvah would be a bit odd.
Jesus was Jewish. The first Christians were Jewish. However if you are not a Messianic Jew in modern times, then playing it at a Bar Mitzvah would be a bit odd.
The context does sound unusual. But I’ll admit, even with the sketchy lyrics, I’m a sucker for good melody and power notes. I like this song.
That’s pretty funny! I think that it’s fine, but then again, as an atheist, I’m not exactly an expert on religious etiquette.
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Hmm, how about at a sweet 16 where the birthday girl is getting her first car?
“Jesus take the wheel…so I can answer my cell phone!”
I guess, it’s just like any other event – people of all backgrounds want to hear different things. I, as a DJ probably would have not played it…