Personal Jesus

<i>Reach out and touch faith</i> is a take on AT&T's old slogan "Reach out and touch someone".

This song talks about the "second best" thing to talking to Jesus - the business of TV/phone evangelism. Getting "saved" through another human, a human who waits until you're down and out and vulnerable ("Feeling unknown/And you're all alone"), and then you're saved and converted, for a small fee. These guys basically play Jesus for these needy people - people with the need for an answer, because they're prayers aren't getting answered. Forgiving sins, converting folks to Christianity, etc. - all without getting off the couch.

According to songwriter Martin Gore:

"It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody's heart is like a god in some way, and that's not a very balanced view of someone, is it?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Jesus

I read a long long time ago that Martin Gore wrote this song after he read the autobiography of Pricella Presley about her love and devotion to Elvis. I can see how this song can relate to a one-sided relationship, when someone looses themself in the other... it can be tragic.

I think the song is about phone sex - quite seriously.

Another atheistic song. Its a Gore seal man! Just like Blasphemous... I think this song is a kinda "Nietzschian" philosofy. Believe in your self, not in gods. The 1sts verses explains all song. Your own personal jesus (that god you carry inside you, YOURSELF) is the only whos gonna hear your prayers, the only one who cares about you, is you. Forget god, dont expect nothing about him, its all in you (thats not my vision, lol, thats Martin vision)

According to songwriter Martin Gore:

It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody's heart is like a god in some way, and that's not a very balanced view of someone, is it?

Actually, THE Trent Reznor didn't say that; rather, a user on Songmeanings.net who goes by "Trent Reznor" as his username, who posted a message on Page 1 of this song's comment page. I apologize for any confusion.

I think this song is simply about the good friend that one confides in. Personal Jesus is the savior of this person, keeping them sane by their companionship/friendship.

I think this song it basically him offering to be someones Jesus, so one who will do anything for them, someone who will take there call and be there for them when ever they need it.

Annnnd because I forgot to mention this earlier: A lot of people tend to take this song quite literally, to mean that Jesus is meant to save everyone and what have you. But Depeche Mode aren\'t exactly a Christian rock band. So I would reconsider your interpretations. Of course, to each his own. I could be completely wrong.