My viewpoint is that it is a sarcastic song. Certainly, without a doubt, this song is upbeat and cheery, but look at it with the entire album in mind, or, more specifically, the song prior to this one, "Big Black Car," which has themes of depression and melancholy. Following up a depressing song with a song about Jesus Christ is almost laughable, especially when you look at the final line, "And we're gonna get born now." I interpret it as Chilton laughing at the idea that Jesus Christ is the solution to everybody's problems. Follow that up, two songs later, with "Holocaust" and I think this song is put into perspective. I think if you look at the overall themes of the entire album then you see what Chilton is doing here, and I think it's genius!
Although, I will say that I will crank this song up on the road sometimes and get an overall happy feeling because it is definitely a cheery song.
@AndrewofAwesome Alex Chilton talks about faith in God in the Ballad of El Goodo, so I wouldn't say it's farfetched to think this song was meant in earnest as well, even if it's not in the strictest Christian sense.
@AndrewofAwesome Alex Chilton talks about faith in God in the Ballad of El Goodo, so I wouldn't say it's farfetched to think this song was meant in earnest as well, even if it's not in the strictest Christian sense.
My viewpoint is that it is a sarcastic song. Certainly, without a doubt, this song is upbeat and cheery, but look at it with the entire album in mind, or, more specifically, the song prior to this one, "Big Black Car," which has themes of depression and melancholy. Following up a depressing song with a song about Jesus Christ is almost laughable, especially when you look at the final line, "And we're gonna get born now." I interpret it as Chilton laughing at the idea that Jesus Christ is the solution to everybody's problems. Follow that up, two songs later, with "Holocaust" and I think this song is put into perspective. I think if you look at the overall themes of the entire album then you see what Chilton is doing here, and I think it's genius!
Although, I will say that I will crank this song up on the road sometimes and get an overall happy feeling because it is definitely a cheery song.
@AndrewofAwesome Alex Chilton talks about faith in God in the Ballad of El Goodo, so I wouldn't say it's farfetched to think this song was meant in earnest as well, even if it's not in the strictest Christian sense.
@AndrewofAwesome Alex Chilton talks about faith in God in the Ballad of El Goodo, so I wouldn't say it's farfetched to think this song was meant in earnest as well, even if it's not in the strictest Christian sense.