"Plastic Jesus" is an Americanfolk 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. The authorship of the song has historically been incorrectly attributed to Ernie Marrs, who recorded a version in 1965, despite Rush and Cromarty being listed as the authors by ASCAP and by the song's publisher, EMI Music Publishing. Ernie Marrs is sometimes credited as the songwriter because of the folk music magazine Sing Out! crediting a version of the lyrics and music to him.
Religious basis for parody
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..."
Recordings, performances, and covers
1962- The Goldcoast Singers on the album "Here They Are! The Goldcoast Singers""
1965- Ernie Marrs, along with the "Marrs Family" recorded a version of "Plastic Jesus".
1967- Paul Newman, in the role of the title character in the motion picture Cool Hand Luke, sings the song while playing a banjo in a distinctly melancholy scene. The 1965 Marrs Family version is also heard elsewhere in the film.
2011- Snow Patrol on the album Fallen Empires. This was a B-Side to a single "This Isn't Everything You Are" released in Germany, but was not included on the final album.
Jack Johnson at some of his gigs and on some bootlegs
A version of the song was used as the introduction to the "Billy Sol Hargis" skits on the Imus in the Morningradio program for many years.
A version in Dutch by Guido Belcanto in many of his live shows
Additional verses
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. Folk singerJoe Bethancourt has parodies of "Plastic Jesus" on his website, including "Plastic Vishnu," "Plastic Cthulhu," and an ecumenical version containing verses referencing several religions.
