Don't Think Jesus

Album

One Thing at a Time

Label

Big Loud

Genre

Country

Composer(s)

Jessi Alexander;Chase McGill;Mark Holman

Entered Chart

Apr 30, 2022

Peak Date

Apr 30, 2022

Released

April 15, 2022

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

Big Loud Records

Chase McGill, Jessi Alexander and Mark Holman penned this emotional ballad about a country singer who leads a wild life. Shocked at his drinking, womanizing and drug-taking, the country community banishes him. Out of desperation, he turns to Jesus, and in the chorus he wonders why Christ would save a debauched man like him. Each verse puts a twist on "I don't think Jesus done it that way," a nod to Waylon Jennings' "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?" The song paints a picture of Morgan Wallen's own experiences. While building a reputation for songs about alcohol and women, the country singer adopted the dissolute lifestyle himself. His depraved behavior climaxed on February 2, 2021, when TMZ posted a video of a drunken Wallen yelling the n-word at a white buddy as they entered his Nashville home. Most country radio stations and major streaming services quickly pulled his music. Chase McGill, Jessi Alexander and Mark Holman penned "Don't Think Jesus" with Wallen in mind. They sent him the track, and he played it on his way home after playing golf. Wallen admitted he shed some tears in his truck. After recording the gospel-country waltz with his Dangerous producer Joey Moi, Wallen released "Don't Think Jesus" on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. "To get to hear him sing it with so much soul and conviction makes me feel like I just got a big ol hug from the man upstairs," said Jessi Alexander. "Don't Think Jesus" landed at #1 on the Country chart in its first week, becoming Morgan Wallen's third song to open at the peak position. "7 Summers" and "Wasted On You" also debuted on the summit.

Boy gets a guitar and starts writin' songs
'Bout whiskey and women and gettin' too stoned
And he got all three at the first show he played
Hometown said, "I don't think Jesus done it that way"
Boy moves to city, lives fast and goes hard
Starts chasin' the devil through honky-tonk bars
Ignoring the voices in his head that say
"I don't think Jesus done it this way"

If I was Him I'd say, "To Hell with you, ain't no helping you"
Find someone else to give Heaven to, I'm telling you
I'd shame me, I'd blame me
I'd make me pay for my mistakes
But I don't think Jesus does it that way

Boy's all alone, got no one to turn to
He figures he'll pray 'cause what else could he do?
He says, "I wish You would've woke me up an easier way"
But I don't think Jesus does it that way

If I was Him I'd say, "To Hell with you, ain't no helping you"
Find someone else to give Heaven to, I'm telling you
I'd shame me, I'd blame me
I'd make me pay for my mistakes
But I don't think Jesus does it that way

World likes to rear back and throw a few stones
So boy wants to throw a few stones of his own
But Lord knows I ain't perfect, and it ain't my place
And I don't think Jesus done it that way
Are y'all sure that Jesus done it that way?