Single Review: ‘Like Jesus Does’ – Eric Church
12 years ago Liv Carter 3
Songwriters: Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell
Eric Church is releasing a fifth single off his critically acclaimed album, Chief. The song, ‘Like Jesus Does,’ has to step in some big footsteps, following two #1 hits, ‘Springsteen’ and ‘Drink in My Hand.’
‘Like Jesus Does’ is the only outside song selected for Chief, and it is not difficult to see why it made the cut. For once, it is not the lyrics that standout as this is lyrically a little weaker. The hook ‘she loves me like Jesus does’ explains itself so completely that trying to elaborate on it hardly seems necessary. Casey Beathard and Monty Criswell also go a little too far establishing the character’s redneck cred, and lines like ‘I’m a left foot leanin’ on a souped up Chevy / I’m a good ole boy / Drinkin’ whiskey and rye on the levee,’ are quite silly. Much of that is set right in the exquisite chorus:
All the crazy in my dreams,
Both my broken wings,
Every single piece of everything I am.
She knows the man I ain’t,
She forgives me when I can’t.
That devil, man, he don’t have a chance,
She loves me like Jesus does.
What really makes this song a standout among radio singles is Church’s performance and, I have said this a hundred times, Jay Joyce‘s masterful production. Together, they created an entire album of such a high standard that any of its songs would be able to distinguish themselves at radio. Ticking along to soft percussion, the intricate arrangement is pulled back to only two or three instruments at several points. The song is allowed to remain soft-spoken and quiet – a perfect choice. This would not be nearly as memorable if Joyce had built in a big chorus.
‘Like Jesus Does’ will impact radio on January 28, 2012.
Liv Carter
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
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