| Jesus | |
| Cover: | Jeremy Faith Jesus.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Jeremy Faith and the St Mathews Church Choir And Orchestra |
| Album: | Lord |
| B-Side: | Jesus (Instrumental) |
| Genre: |
|
| Length: | 3:41 |
| Label: | Decca |
| Producer: | Michel Hamburger |
| Next Title: | You Are My Lord "J" |
| Next Year: | 1971 |
"Jesus" is a song by Austrian rock musician Helmut Grabher, under the alias Jeremy Faith, released as a single in June 1971 from his album Lord. It was a hit in several European countries and was later covered by Cliff Richard, who had a minor hit with it.
| Chart (1971–72) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| France (IFOP)[1] | 3 | |
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[2] | 18 | |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[3] | 5 | |
| Spain (El Musical)[4] | 29 | |
| Sweden (Kvällstoppen)[5] | 5 |
| Jesus | |
| Cover: | Cliff Richard Jesus.jpg |
| Caption: | Cover of the single released in Germany |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Cliff Richard |
| B-Side: | Mister Cloud |
| Recorded: | 14 December 1971[6] |
| Studio: | EMI Studios, London |
| Genre: |
|
| Length: | 4:15 |
| Label: | Columbia |
| Producer: | Nick Ingman |
| Prev Title: | Sing a Song of Freedom |
| Prev Year: | 1971 |
| Next Title: | Living in Harmony |
| Next Year: | 1972 |
Richard released his version in February 1972 with the B-side "Mister Cloud" which was written by songwriting duo Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett. It was produced by Nick Ingman, credited on the record as 'An NP [<nowiki/>[[Norrie Paramor]]] production by Nick Ingman'. Ingman also arranged the song and it features his orchestra.[6]
Richard has said "I didn't record a gospel song for a long time after I became a Christian. And Jesus was the first one I did. I was convinced that it would be wrong for me just to record a single – religious sort of gospel content single – just because I was a Christian. And I wanted very much to be sure that it was a good song. And I waited a long time for that particular song, Jesus. But when it came, I instantly knew I had to record that one. We spent a bit time on it too, of course, and did a, you know, did some phasing on it and gave it some effect. And I must say, I was really quite pleased with the recording".[6]
However, after it failed to be particularly successful, Richard said that "somehow it seems very difficult for people to accept me with a gospel single. Everybody else can make them but somehow whenever I do, the motive or intention is held suspect. A number of BBC producers would not play Jesus because of the title although they are perfectly prepared to plug a Hari Krishna [''[[sic]]] or Maharishi inspired song".[7]
7": Columbia / DB 8864