In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I don't need to be a global citizen
Because I'm blessed by nationality
I'm member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
There are things that seem to pull us under
And there are things that drag us down
But there's a power and a vital presence
That's lurking all around
We've got the American Jesus
See Him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
He helped build the president's estate
I feel sorry for the earth's population
'Cause so few live in the USA
At least the foreigners can copy our morality
They can visit but they cannot stay
Only precious few can garner the prosperity
It makes us walk with renewed confidence
We've got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides right here
We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day
He's the farmers barren fields
The force the army wields
The expression in the faces of the starving millions
The power of the man he's the fuel that drives the clan
He's the motive and conscience of the murderer
He's the preacher on TV, the false sincerity
The form letter that's written by the big computers
The nuclear bombs and the kids with no moms
And I'm fearful that He's inside me
We've got the American Jesus
See Him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
Exercising His authority
We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day, yeah
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God)
Because I'm blessed by nationality
I'm member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
There are things that seem to pull us under
And there are things that drag us down
But there's a power and a vital presence
That's lurking all around
We've got the American Jesus
See Him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
He helped build the president's estate
I feel sorry for the earth's population
'Cause so few live in the USA
At least the foreigners can copy our morality
They can visit but they cannot stay
Only precious few can garner the prosperity
It makes us walk with renewed confidence
We've got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides right here
We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day
He's the farmers barren fields
The force the army wields
The expression in the faces of the starving millions
The power of the man he's the fuel that drives the clan
He's the motive and conscience of the murderer
He's the preacher on TV, the false sincerity
The form letter that's written by the big computers
The nuclear bombs and the kids with no moms
And I'm fearful that He's inside me
We've got the American Jesus
See Him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
Exercising His authority
We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day, yeah
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God)
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
This song isnt about Jesus... it's about the American corruption of the hypothetical idea that is Jesus. Have you noticed that the part Jesus plays in world politics... especially here in the land of the free and home of the brave... is something of a boogeyman? Hate gays? Jesus tells me to. Against abortion? Jesus is, too. Racist? The Bible tells me so. Go to war? It's what god wants. Burn the Koran? Because it goes against the word of Jesus. That's why.
We never see Jesus, but he must be there... right? Maybe he only appears through all these mudslinging agenda-pushing suited stiffs. We never see him. But he's around. He seems to be in every god-fearing and god-calling politician who says that gays cant get married because it's against the good word, or who say a woman has no right to choose because it's against the good book.
Maybe he's just an idea. Maybe he's just a moral totem. Maybe he's just a convenient scapegoat. Maybe he's a bulletproof barrier that people in power with a secret agenda like to sling mud from behind. Or maybe he's not real. Maybe he's a figment of our collective imagination who can be summoned at will to promote whatever idea we'd like him to, if we skew it the right way. Satisfaction guaranteed.
He seems to have found a way inside all of us, one way or another...
perfect.<br />