Jesus Is Just Alright

"Jesus Is Just Alright"
Song by The Art Reynolds Singers
from the album Tellin' It Like It Is
Released1966
Recorded1965
GenreGospel
Length1:55
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Arthur Reid Reynolds
Producer(s)Gary Paxton

"Jesus Is Just Alright" is a gospel song written by American singer Art Reynolds and first recorded by Reynolds' group, The Art Reynolds Singers, for their 1966 album, Tellin' It Like It Is.[1][2]

The song's title makes use of the American slang term "just alright", which during the 1960s was used to describe something that was considered cool or hip.[3][unreliable source?] The song has been covered by various bands and artists over the years, including the Byrds, Underground Sunshine, the Doobie Brothers, Alexis Korner, the Ventures, DC Talk, Stryper, Shelagh McDonald, and Robert Randolph (featuring Eric Clapton).[4]

The first cover version of the song was recorded by the Byrds on their 1969 album Ballad of Easy Rider.[5] The Doobie Brothers included their version on their 1972 album Toulouse Street.[6] Released as a single in November 1972, this version peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.[7] In 1973, American rock band Exile released their self titled debut album, which included a cover of the song.[8] In 1992, the Christian rock and hip hop group DC Talk released a version of "Jesus Is Just Alright" on their Free at Last album.[9] The song has also been covered by Robert Randolph on his Colorblind album, with guest artist Eric Clapton[10] and Stryper's 2013 release, No More Hell to Pay.[11]

  1. ^ Hjort, Christopher. (2008). So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star: The Byrds Day-By-Day (1965–1973). Jawbone Press. p. 204. ISBN 978-1-906002-15-2.
  2. ^ "Art Reynolds Biography". CD Baby. Archived from the original on February 24, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  3. ^ Chitty, Sabrina (November 29, 2022). ""Jesus Is Just Alright" by The Doobie Brothers". songmeaningsandfacts.com. WordPress. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  4. ^ "Jesus Is Just Alright – Cover Versions". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  5. ^ Rogan, Johnny. (1998). The Byrds: Timeless Flight Revisited (2nd ed.). Rogan House. pp. 300–301. ISBN 0-9529540-1-X.
  6. ^ "Toulouse Street review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  7. ^ "The Doobie Brothers Billboard Singles". AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  8. ^ "Exile (7) - Exile". Discogs. 1973. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  9. ^ "Free at Last review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  10. ^ "Colorblind review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  11. ^ "Stryper: Audio Samples Of Three 'No More Hell To Pay' Songs Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. August 22, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.