Johnny Cash – Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode cover)

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  General Comment:I think this song is quite literal.Not about drug dealers.It's about the exploitation of the vulnerable by televangelists."Pick up the receiver,I'll make you a believer."It's the incessant telemarketing by evangelists to become the "personal Jesus" of people they hope to suck money out of.

  Flag abner100on May 08, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:To me, especially after listening to the rest of American IV, it seems that JC took a somewhat snarky Depeche Mode song and sang it straight. What I mean is, while I love Depeche Mode, I feel that the original was satirical. The Cash version feels like he is actually singing about Jesus in a religious way.
  I do not get anything ominous out of the Cash version, I think that the album itself was just very dark.

  Flag saintpacoon May 27, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:Notice how this version sounds as dark as the other two. Depeche Mode is known for their dark subject matter, as well as Marylin Manson, obviously. The consensus seems to be that this song is about a drug dealer. "Reach out and touch faith" a very physical feeling of trust and of being "saved" comes with drug addiction. "I will deliver," well that's obvious. On top of that, feeling unknown, all alone, and the key line "Lift up the receiver, I'll make you a believer" all complement the sinister tone to imply few other things than that. If this is about Jesus, why include telephones, or say "personal" (Christians believe Jesus is already everyone's friend.) If this is about a good friend who is there for you, why the sinister tone, or "I'll make you a believer." Mind you, I don't do drugs. This is an unbiased opinion shared with a majority of others. Think about it.

  Flag thesnowyetion December 26, 2009   Link

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  My Opinion:I love the piano in this. And the guitar just as he sings 'flesh and bone by the telephone', as it gets a little louder and slightly more intense. Same as before he sings 'reach out and touch faith'. This is the definitive version for me. Slightly sinister, but with an amazing melody and beat. I love his other covers as well, especially One, Rusty Cage, Hurt and Solitary Man.

  Flag fanglefishon January 12, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:This song was written about Priscilla Presley's book "Elivs & Me" where she describes their relationship and how for several years he was her father, lover and "quite nearly God"

  Flag chippednpon April 07, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:although I know this is a cover, this is the only version i know.
  I think its possible to interpret this song in many different ways.
  Personally, I think its about someone who relies fully on jesus and trusts that jesus will help them and save them, but their friend is saying to them that he should put his faith in his friends cause theyre the ones that are really there for him.
  So basicly, he's saying that sometimes you have to put you're faith in other people, and trust in whats real, ya know?

  Flag devilish_leoon February 27, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:I have to go with BBDemus. Of all versions, the last I heard is the original from Depeche Mode. Meanwhile, as Marilyn Manson's sounds almost like a parody of a jesus, the version on Cash sounds much like the devil's whispering at your hear: "Come here, my boy, I might very well be your favorite jesus...". A pretty good blues version, better than the original, one has to say.

  Flag Lojkineon January 18, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:this might sound weird but i like the marilyn manson version the most.

  Flag everybodylovesbasson April 18, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:geocities.com/brotherjerry/…

  Flag Tim Doggon March 29, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:Yeah the Cash version has an evil twist to it..

  Flag Carolynon February 25, 2006   Link

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