Jesus Is Just Alright - wikipedia Jesus Is Just Alright `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' Song by The Art Reynolds Singers from the album Tellin ' It Like It Is Released 1966 Recorded 1965 Genre Gospel Length 1 : 55 Label Capitol Songwriter ( s ) Arthur Reid Reynolds Producer ( s ) Gary Paxton `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' is a gospel song written by Arthur Reid Reynolds and first recorded by Reynolds ' own group, The Art Reynolds Singers, on their 1966 album, Tellin ' It Like It Is. The song 's title makes use of the American slang term `` all - right '', which during the 1960s was used to describe something that was considered ' cool ' or very good. The song has been covered by a number of 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 ). The first cover version of the song was recorded by the Los Angeles band The Byrds on their 1969 album, Ballad of Easy Rider. The song was later recorded by The Doobie Brothers, who included it on their 1972 album, Toulouse Street. The Doobie Brothers ' version of the song was released as a single in November 1972 and it became a hit in the United States, peaking at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. 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. The song has also been covered by Robert Randolph on his Colorblind album, with guest artist Eric Clapton and Stryper 's 2013 release, No More Hell to Pay. Contents 1 The Byrds ' version 2 The Doobie Brothers ' version 2.1 Personnel 3 DC Talk 's version 3.1 CD single track listing 4 References 5 External links The Byrds ' version `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' 1969 Dutch picture sleeve Single by The Byrds from the album Ballad of Easy Rider B - side `` It 's All Over Now, Baby Blue '' Released December 15, 1969 Format 7 '' single Recorded June 17, 1969 Studio Columbia Studios, Hollywood, CA Genre Rock Length 2 : 10 Label Columbia Songwriter ( s ) Arthur Reid Reynolds Producer ( s ) Terry Melcher The Byrds singles chronology `` Ballad of Easy Rider '' ( 1969 ) `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( 1969 ) `` Chestnut Mare '' ( 1970 ) `` Ballad of Easy Rider '' ( 1969 ) `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( 1969 ) `` Chestnut Mare '' ( 1970 ) The Byrds ' version of `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' was recorded on June 17, 1969 during the sessions for the band 's eighth studio album, Ballad of Easy Rider. It was first released as part of that album but was subsequently issued as a single on December 15, 1969. The single stalled at No. 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 and failed to chart in the United Kingdom. Despite this lack of commercial success, The Doobie Brothers ' later hit version of the song featured an arrangement that was heavily influenced by The Byrds ' own recording. The song was introduced to The Byrds by the band 's drummer, Gene Parsons, who had been present in the studio when The Art Reynolds Singers had recorded it. The Byrds had added the song to their live concert repertoire some months prior to the start of the Ballad of Easy Rider recording sessions and it had quickly become an audience favorite. In concert, The Byrds rendition of `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' began with a wordless vocal introduction that built up and led into the first iteration of the song 's chorus. This distinctive vocal arrangement had been devised by Parsons but once the band were in the studio, record producer Terry Melcher dispensed with this extended intro, choosing instead to give the song a more pop - oriented arrangement. `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' became a staple of The Byrds ' concert repertoire between 1969 and 1971 but appears to have been performed only rarely after that. Additionally, the band performed the song on the U.S. television programs Memphis Talent Party and The Midnight Special in 1970 and 1972 respectively. Besides its appearance on the Ballad of Easy Rider album, `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' can also be found on several Byrds ' compilations, including The Best of The Byrds : Greatest Hits, Volume II, History of The Byrds, The Byrds, The Essential Byrds, and There Is a Season. Live recordings of the song are included on the expanded edition of The Byrds ' ( Untitled ) album as well as on Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971. The Doobie Brothers ' version `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' Single by The Doobie Brothers from the album Toulouse Street B - side `` Rockin ' Down the Highway '' Released November 15, 1972 Format 7 '' single Recorded 1972, Warner Bros. Studios, Hollywood, CA Genre Pop, rock, funk Length 4 : 36 ( Album version ) 3 : 50 ( Single edit ) Label Warner Bros. Songwriter ( s ) Arthur Reid Reynolds Producer ( s ) Ted Templeman The Doobie Brothers singles chronology `` Listen to the Music '' ( 1972 ) `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( 1972 ) `` Long Train Runnin ' '' ( 1973 ) `` Listen to the Music '' ( 1972 ) `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( 1972 ) `` Long Train Runnin ' '' ( 1973 ) The Doobie Brothers ' version of `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' was first released on their second album, Toulouse Street, in 1972. It was subsequently released in November 1972 as the second single from the album ( b / w `` Rockin ' Down the Highway '' ) and went on to become a U.S. hit, peaking at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1973. The single featured a shorter, edited version of the song compared to the one included on the album. The Doobie Brothers ' version of `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' was one of a number of religiously themed songs to reach the U.S. charts between 1969 and 1973, along with `` Spirit in the Sky '' by Norman Greenbaum, `` Put Your Hand in the Hand '' by Ocean, `` Superstar '' by Murray Head, `` Morning Has Broken '' by Cat Stevens, `` Jubilation '' by Paul Anka, `` Speak to the Sky '' by Rick Springfield, `` Jesus Was a Capricorn '' by Kris Kristofferson, `` My Sweet Lord '' by George Harrison and `` I Knew Jesus ( Before He Was a Star ) '' by Glen Campbell. The song, along with its B - side, continue to be a staple of playlists on classic rock radio stations. The band first became aware of `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' after hearing The Byrds ' version and before long the song had been added to The Doobie Brothers ' own live repertoire. As a result, the song 's musical arrangement is very similar to the one used by The Byrds, although The Doobie Brothers ' rendition does include an extra bridge that the band added themselves. Although none of the individual band members were religiously inclined, the song went on to become very popular among Christians during the early 1970s, particularly those within the hippie counterculture that were involved with the Jesus movement. In addition to its appearance on Toulouse Street, the song can also be found on a number of Doobie Brothers ' compilations, including Best of The Doobies, Listen to the Music : The Very Best of The Doobie Brothers, Long Train Runnin ' : 1970 -- 2000, Greatest Hits, and The Very Best of The Doobie Brothers. Live recordings of the song appear on the Farewell Tour, Rockin ' down the Highway : The Wildlife Concert, and Live at Wolf Trap albums. Personnel Tom Johnston -- guitars, lead vocals Patrick Simmons -- guitars, lead vocals ( bridge ), backing vocals Tiran Porter -- bass, backing vocals John ( Little John ) Hartman -- drums, percussion Michael Hossack -- drums Additional personnel Bill Payne -- organ Ted Templeman -- percussion DC Talk 's version `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' Single by DC Talk from the album Free at Last Released 1992 Format CD Recorded 1992 Genre Hip hop, Christian rock Length 4 : 41 ( album version ) Label ForeFront Songwriter ( s ) Arthur Reid Reynolds Producer ( s ) Toby McKeehan, Mark Heimermann DC Talk singles chronology `` Can I Get a Witness '' ( 1992 ) `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( 1992 ) `` Lean on Me '' ( 1993 ) `` Can I Get a Witness '' ( 1992 ) `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( 1992 ) `` Lean on Me '' ( 1993 ) `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' is a Dove Award - winning single by Christian rock and hip hop band, DC Talk. It was the lead single for their 1992 platinum - selling and Grammy Award - winning album, Free at Last. The band 's primary songwriter, TobyMac ( Toby McKeehan ), retained the song 's chorus but added a number of new verses consisting of his own lyrics. These lyrics were rapped, as was usual with DC Talk 's songs of the period, with the lead vocal alternating between McKeehan 's rapped verses and the sung chorus provided by Kevin Max ( then known as Kevin Smith ) and Michael Tait. DC Talk 's version also includes subtle lyric alterations, with the line `` Jesus is just alright '' being intermittently changed to `` Jesus is still alright ''. Thus, DC Talk 's recording can be seen as something of an update on the previous version. McKeehan changed the line in an attempt to express his feeling that Jesus was still alright with him even if many others did not share his beliefs. The song 's lyrics also comment on the lack of acceptance and recognition that faith - based music often receives from mainstream radio. In addition to being musically based upon the earlier Byrds and Doobie Brothers ' recordings, DC Talk 's version of the song also features samples of Madonna 's hit single `` Vogue '' and the Snap ! song `` The Power ''. In the audio commentary of the Free at Last -- The Movie bonus DVD, Tait identified `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' as the song that DC Talk have performed most in their live shows. It has been played at every concert since 1992 and is the only song to be played on each of their four major headlining tours : Free At Last ( 1994 ), Jesus Freak -- The Tour ( Spring 1996 ), The Supernatural Experience ( Spring 1999 ), and An Evening with DC Talk ( Spring 2001 ). The song 's music video was shot entirely in muted sepia - tone and featured DC Talk singing around three crosses in a desert, surrounded by musicians and dancers. It concludes with the band walking off into the desert sunset. At the 24th GMA Dove Awards in 1994, `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' was awarded the Dove Award for Best Rock Recorded Song. DC Talk also became one of the first contemporary Christian acts to perform on late - night television when, on November 12, 1993, the band performed `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. CD single track listing US radio promo `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( album version ) -- 4 : 41 `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( Funky, Wit Less Rap ) -- 4 : 08 `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( Still Funky, Wit No Rap ) -- 3 : 38 `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( With Original Blues Bridge ) -- 4 : 51 `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( Reprise ) -- 1 : 03 `` Yo ! Ho Ho '' -- 4 : 14 `` Two Honks and a Negro '' -- 0 : 19 `` Free at Last Album Spot '' -- 1 : 01 Japanese radio promo `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( album version ) -- 4 : 41 `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( Funky, Wit Less Rap ) -- 4 : 08 `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( Still Funky, Wit No Rap ) -- 3 : 38 `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( With Original Blues Bridge ) -- 4 : 51 `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' ( Reprise ) -- 1 : 03 References Jump up ^ 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 1 - 906002 - 15 - 0. Jump up ^ `` Art Reynolds Biography ''. CD Baby. Retrieved February 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Jesus Is Just Alright -- Cover Versions ''. AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Rogan, Johnny. ( 1998 ). The Byrds : Timeless Flight Revisited ( 2nd ed. ). Rogan House. pp. 300 -- 301. ISBN 0 - 9529540 - 1 - X. ^ Jump up to : `` Toulouse Street review ''. AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` The Doobie Brothers Billboard Singles ''. AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Free at Last review ''. AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Colorblind review ''. AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Stryper : Audio Samples Of Three ' No More Hell To Pay ' Songs Available For Streaming ''. Blabbermouth.net. August 22, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013. Jump up ^ Rogan, Johnny. ( 1998 ). The Byrds : Timeless Flight Revisited ( 2nd ed. ). Rogan House. pp. 626 -- 627. ISBN 0 - 9529540 - 1 - X. Jump up ^ Rogan, Johnny. ( 1998 ). The Byrds : Timeless Flight Revisited ( 2nd ed. ). Rogan House. pp. 544 -- 547. ISBN 0 - 9529540 - 1 - X. Jump up ^ `` The Byrds Billboard Singles ''. AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010. Jump up ^ Brown, Tony. ( 2000 ). The Complete Book of the British Charts. Omnibus Press. p. 130. ISBN 0 - 7119 - 7670 - 8. Jump up ^ Hjort, Christopher. ( 2008 ). So You Want To Be A Rock ' n ' Roll Star : The Byrds Day - By - Day ( 1965 -- 1973 ). Jawbone Press. p. 214. ISBN 1 - 906002 - 15 - 0. Jump up ^ Rogan, Johnny. ( 1998 ). The Byrds : Timeless Flight Revisited ( 2nd ed. ). Rogan House. pp. 591 -- 615. ISBN 0 - 9529540 - 1 - X. Jump up ^ Rogan, Johnny. ( 1998 ). The Byrds : Timeless Flight Revisited ( 2nd ed. ). Rogan House. p. 617. ISBN 0 - 9529540 - 1 - X. ^ Jump up to : `` Jesus Is Just Alright by The Byrds ''. AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2010. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel. ( 2008 ). Top Pop Singles 1955 -- 2006. Record Research Inc. p. 252. ISBN 0 - 89820 - 172 - 1. Jump up ^ McNichol, Tom ( December 24, 2006 ). `` A ' Spirit ' From the ' 60s That Wo n't Die ''. The New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Ocean : Awards ''. AllMusic. Retrieved May 20, 2013. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 2003 ). Top Pop Singles ( 1955 -- 2002 ). Wisconsin : Record Research Inc. p. 307. ISBN 0 - 89820 - 155 - 1. Jump up ^ Cusic, Don. ( 2002 ). The Sound of Light : A History of Gospel and Christian Music. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 241 -- 242. ISBN 0 - 634 - 02938 - X. ^ Jump up to : `` Jesus Is Just Alright by The Doobie Brothers review ''. AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2010. Jump up ^ Wilson, Jared C. ( 2009 ). Your Jesus Is Too Safe : Outgrowing a Drive - Thru, Feel - Good Savior. Kregel Publications. p. 13. ISBN 0 - 8254 - 3931 - 0. Jump up ^ Michael Tait ( 2002 ). Free at Last -- The Movie ( audio commentary ) ( DVD ). ForeFront Records. Jump up ^ `` Dove Awards History ''. GMA Dove Awards. Archived from the original on June 5, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2010. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics The Byrds Roger McGuinn Gene Clark David Crosby Chris Hillman Michael Clarke Kevin Kelley Gram Parsons Clarence White Gene Parsons John York Skip Battin Studio albums Mr. Tambourine Man Turn ! Turn ! Turn ! Fifth Dimension Younger Than Yesterday The Notorious Byrd Brothers Sweetheart of the Rodeo Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde Ballad of Easy Rider ( Untitled ) Byrdmaniax Farther Along Byrds Live albums ( Untitled ) Live at the Fillmore - February 1969 Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971 Compilations The Byrds ' Greatest Hits Preflyte The Byrds ' Greatest Hits Volume II The Best of The Byrds : Greatest Hits, Volume II History of The Byrds The Byrds Play Dylan The Original Singles : 1965 -- 1967, Volume 1 The Original Singles : 1967 -- 1969, Volume 2 Never Before In the Beginning 20 Essential Tracks from the Byrds Box Set ( 1965 - 1990 ) The Very Best of The Byrds The Preflyte Sessions The Essential Byrds Box sets The Byrds There Is a Season Tribute albums Time Between -- A Tribute to The Byrds Singles `` Mr. Tambourine Man '' / `` I Knew I 'd Want You '' `` All I Really Want to Do '' / `` I 'll Feel a Whole Lot Better '' `` Turn ! Turn ! Turn ! '' / `` She Do n't Care About Time '' `` Set You Free This Time '' `` It Wo n't Be Wrong '' `` Eight Miles High '' / `` Why '' `` 5D ( Fifth Dimension ) '' `` Mr. Spaceman '' `` So You Want to Be a Rock ' n ' Roll Star '' `` My Back Pages '' `` Have You Seen Her Face '' `` Lady Friend '' / `` Old John Robertson '' `` Goin ' Back '' `` You Ai n't Goin ' Nowhere '' `` Lay Lady Lay '' `` Was n't Born to Follow '' `` Ballad of Easy Rider '' `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' / `` It 's All Over Now, Baby Blue '' `` Chestnut Mare '' `` Full Circle '' Other notable songs `` You Showed Me '' `` Spanish Harlem Incident '' `` Here Without You '' `` The Bells of Rhymney '' `` Chimes of Freedom '' `` Lay Down Your Weary Tune '' `` He Was a Friend of Mine '' `` The World Turns All Around Her '' `` If You 're Gone '' `` The Times They Are a-Changin ' '' `` Triad '' `` Hickory Wind '' `` Nothing Was Delivered '' Associated people Bob Dylan Jimmi Seiter John Guerin Terry Melcher Gary Usher Jacques Levy Kim Fowley Derek Taylor Johnny Rogan See also : Discography The Doobie Brothers Tom Johnston John McFee Patrick Simmons John Hartman Dave Shogren Tiran Porter Michael Hossack Keith Knudsen Jeff `` Skunk '' Baxter Michael McDonald Bobby LaKind Cornelius Bumpus Chet McCracken Willie Weeks Additional personnel Bill Payne John Cowan Marc Russo Ed Toth Richard Bryant Bernie Chiaravalle Rem Smiers Jimi Fox M.B. Gordy Danny Hull Dale Ockerman Guy Allison Tony Pia Skylark Studio albums The Doobie Brothers Toulouse Street The Captain and Me What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits Stampede Takin ' It to the Streets Livin ' on the Fault Line Minute by Minute One Step Closer Cycles Brotherhood Sibling Rivalry World Gone Crazy Southbound Live albums Farewell Tour Rockin ' down the Highway : The Wildlife Concert Best of The Doobie Brothers Live Live at Wolf Trap Live at the Greek Theater 1982 Compilations Best of The Doobies Best of The Doobies Volume II Listen to the Music : The Very Best of The Doobie Brothers Long Train Runnin ' : 1970 -- 2000 Greatest Hits Doobie 's Choice Divided Highway The Very Best of The Doobie Brothers Singles `` Nobody '' `` Listen to the Music '' `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' `` Long Train Runnin ' '' `` China Grove '' `` Another Park, Another Sunday '' `` Eyes of Silver '' `` Nobody '' ( re-issue ) `` Black Water '' `` Take Me in Your Arms ( Rock Me a Little While ) '' `` Sweet Maxine '' `` I Cheat the Hangman '' `` Takin ' It to the Streets '' `` Wheels of Fortune '' `` It Keeps You Runnin ' '' `` Little Darlin ' ( I Need You ) '' `` Echoes of Love '' `` What a Fool Believes '' `` Minute by Minute '' `` Dependin ' on You '' `` Real Love '' `` One Step Closer '' `` Wynken, Blynken & Nod '' `` Keep This Train A-Rollin ' '' `` Here to Love You '' `` You Belong to Me '' ( live ) `` The Doctor '' `` Need a Little Taste of Love '' `` South of the Border '' `` Dangerous '' `` Rollin ' On '' `` Long Train Runnin ' '' ( re-issue ) `` Ordinary Man '' `` Nobody '' ( re-recording ) Related articles Discography Book : The Doobie Brothers DC Talk Toby McKeehan Michael Tait Kevin Max Studio albums DC Talk ( 1989 ) Nu Thang ( 1990 ) Free at Last ( 1992 ) Jesus Freak ( 1995 ) Supernatural ( 1998 ) Solo ( 2001 ) Live albums Welcome to the Freak Show ( 1997 ) Compilation albums Intermission : the Greatest Hits ( 2000 ) The Early Years ( 2006 ) Greatest Hits ( 2007 ) Singles `` Jesus Is Just Alright '' `` Lean On Me '' `` Jesus Freak '' `` Between You and Me '' `` What If I Stumble ? '' `` Colored People '' Videography Welcome to the Freak Show ( 1997 ) Free at Last : The Movie ( 2002 ) Related articles Discography Freaked ! Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jesus_Is_Just_Alright&oldid=835462167 '' Categories : 1969 singles 1972 singles 1992 singles The Byrds songs The Doobie Brothers songs DC Talk songs 1966 songs Capitol Records singles Columbia Records singles Warner Bros. Records singles ForeFront Records singles Songs about Jesus Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from September 2013 Articles with hAudio microformats Talk Contents About Wikipedia Norsk nynorsk Edit links This page was last edited on 8 April 2018, at 21 : 12 ( UTC ). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who wrote the song jesus is just alright with me
Answer: Arthur Reid Reynolds