This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus Freak?
What will people do
When they find that's it's true?
Separated, I cut myself clean
From a past that comes back in my darkest of dreams
Been apprehended by a spiritual force
And a grace that replaced all the me I've divorced
I saw a man with tat on his big fat belly
It wiggled around like marmalade jelly
It took me a while to catch what it said
'Cause I had to match the rhythm
Of his belly with my head
"Jesus Saves" is what it raved in a typical tattoo green
He stood on a box in the middle of the city
And claimed he had a dream
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
Kamikaze, my death is gain
I've been marked by my maker
A peculiar display
The high and lofty, they see me as weak
'Cause I won't live and die for the power they seek
There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find out that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
No I ain't into hiding
People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
What will people think
What will people think
What will people do
What will people do
I don't really care
What else can I say
There ain't no disguising the truth
Jesus is the way
When they hear that I'm a Jesus Freak?
What will people do
When they find that's it's true?
Separated, I cut myself clean
From a past that comes back in my darkest of dreams
Been apprehended by a spiritual force
And a grace that replaced all the me I've divorced
I saw a man with tat on his big fat belly
It wiggled around like marmalade jelly
It took me a while to catch what it said
'Cause I had to match the rhythm
Of his belly with my head
"Jesus Saves" is what it raved in a typical tattoo green
He stood on a box in the middle of the city
And claimed he had a dream
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
Kamikaze, my death is gain
I've been marked by my maker
A peculiar display
The high and lofty, they see me as weak
'Cause I won't live and die for the power they seek
There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find out that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
No I ain't into hiding
People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth
What will people think
What will people think
What will people do
What will people do
I don't really care
What else can I say
There ain't no disguising the truth
Jesus is the way
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I know this says what does this song mean to you, so I will first fill it in quite briefly! I think it is a great song, and more people should join together to create groups like this. But what I'd really like to say here there are few atheists in foxholes! What I mean to say is that there are people who are truly atheists (I am not one of those nor do I ever expect to meet one) but to be a true atheist you must truly know what you are disagreeing with. Therefore to be an atheist, you must be just as informed if not more informed than most Christians. Also you would not celebrate Holidays such as Easter and Christmas, do you really know any people that fall under that category? I believe with the right influences anybody can become a believer, and any "atheist" that gets heated up over an argument probably is doing so because they are running out of comebacks, therefore they really don’t quite know what they are arguing about. I’m not saying that I’m perfect and could explain all of my beliefs, but I do know enough to explain my beliefs without getting upset. P.S. and merak, I’m not going to bash anything that you say here, because you do seem like a very nice person and all, but I remember a time when I was like that (last year due to the fact that I’m only 16) and I know I am much happier now after the changes that I’ve seen in my life since becoming a believer, everything seems to be going much smoother and nicer!