Jesus Freak

dc Talk

About Jesus Freak

"Jesus Freak" is a song by the American contemporary Christian music group DC Talk. Released on August 1, 1995, it was the lead radio single from (and lends its name to) the group's fourth album. The song was written and produced by Toby McKeehan and Mark Heimermann. Lyrically, the song is about standing up for the belief in Jesus Christ in the midst of persecution. Musically, the song has been described as alternative rock and grunge, with many reviewers and critics noting a similarity to the sound of Nirvana. "Jesus Freak" earned DC Talk three GMA Dove Awards. 


Year:
1995
4:49
150 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus Freak?
What will people do
When they find that's it's true?

Separated, I cut myself clean
From a past that comes back in my darkest of dreams
Been apprehended by a spiritual force
And a grace that replaced all the me I've divorced

I saw a man with tat on his big fat belly
It wiggled around like marmalade jelly
It took me a while to catch what it said
'Cause I had to match the rhythm
Of his belly with my head
"Jesus Saves" is what it raved in a typical tattoo green
He stood on a box in the middle of the city
And claimed he had a dream

What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

Kamikaze, my death is gain
I've been marked by my maker
A peculiar display
The high and lofty, they see me as weak
'Cause I won't live and die for the power they seek

There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak

What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find out that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

No I ain't into hiding

People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger

What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

What will people think
What will people think
What will people do
What will people do
I don't really care
What else can I say
There ain't no disguising the truth
Jesus is the way

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


dc Talk

DC Talk (stylized as dc Talk) is a Christian rap and rock trio. The group was formed at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They released five major studio albums together: DC Talk (1989), Nu Thang (1990), Free at Last (1992), Jesus Freak (1995), and Supernatural (1998). In 2002, the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music called DC Talk "the most popular overtly Christian act of all time."In 2001, the group released an EP, Solo, which contained two solo songs from each member. Since that time, DC Talk has been on an indefinite hiatus, and the three band members all have led solo careers and two have joined other groups. They performed and recorded individual songs together several times … more »

2 fans

Written by: MARK HEIMERMANN, TOBY MCKEEHAN

Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


26 facts about this song

Release
"Jesus Freak" was released in November 1995 as the first single off the album of the same name by American Christian rap and rock trio, dc Talk.
Music Style
The song is noted for its mixture of grunge and rap, contrasting the pop sound that was popular at the time of its release.
Influence
The song's content reflects the band members' faith, with lyrics addressing the subject of Christian belief and commitment. The term "Jesus Freak" was historically a pejorative term, but the band reclaimed it as a positive affirmation of their faith.
Successful
The song "Jesus Freak" is considered one of the most popular songs by dc Talk, significantly contributing to the album’s multi-platinum certification.
Legacy
"Jesus Freak" is often regarded as one of the most influential songs in Christian music history.
Music Video
The music video of the song features the band members in a variety of extreme weather conditions, symbolizing the trials that Christians may face.
Cover Versions
Various artists have covered the song including the Christian rock band Newsboys, in which former dc Talk member Michael Tait is a member.
Awards
In 1996, "Jesus Freak" won a Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year. It also won an MTV Music Video award for Long Form Video of the Year.
Album Success
The Jesus Freak album peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200, and remained the highest charting Christian album until 2001.
Anniversary Reissue
20 years after the song's original release, an anniversary edition of the "Jesus Freak" album was released in 2015, showcasing the enduring popularity of the track.
Members of dc Talk
The members of dc Talk including Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith, have all enjoyed successful solo careers following the band’s hiatus in 2000, but "Jesus Freak" remains a staple in their individual concerts.
Christian Rock Pioneer
"Jesus Freak" by dc Talk was a groundbreaking fusion of rap and rock genres in Christian music, pioneering a new direction for the industry in the 1990s.
Highest Peaking Album
The album "Jesus Freak" from which the song originates is the highest-peaking album by dc Talk on the Billboard 200, reaching number 16.
Symbolic Release Date
The song was released on August 1, 1995, a date of significance in Christian history as it's the feast day of early Christian martyr, St. Peter.
Influential Album
The album "Jesus Freak" was considered influential and responsible for bringing contemporary Christian music into the mainstream.
Grammys Recognition
The song contributed to dc Talk's Grammy win in 1997 for Best Rock Gospel Album, establishing the band's footprint in the industry.
Cross-Genre Cover
This song has been covered by popular contemporary Christian artist, Michael Tait, a clear sign of its legacy and cross-genre appeal.
Unique Songwriting Approach
Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max co-wrote the song, marking a break from the traditional approach of having a single songwriter.
Controversial Title
The term "Jesus Freak" in the song and album title has been linked back to the negative slur against Christians during the Jesus Movement of the 60s and 70s; the band uses it as a badge of honor.
Music Video Recognition
The video for "Jesus Freak" was the longest-running video on MTV's 120 Minutes in 1996, breaking barriers for Christian music.
Cultural Influence
The song's mixed genre and lyrics became an anthem for Christian youth, deeply influencing Christian pop culture.
Inspirational Score
The song's feel and melody were inspired by Nirvana’s grunge anthem, “Smells Like Teen Spirit".
Evergreen Popularity
More than two decades after its release, "Jesus Freak" remains a popular tune in Christian music, speaking to its enduring relevance across generations.
Anniversary Celebration
In 2015, the band members reunited to perform "Jesus Freak" as a way to mark the song’s twentieth anniversary, indicating the song's enduring popularity and influence.
Notable Lyrics
The song's lyrics: "What will people think when they hear that I'm a Jesus freak? What will people do when they find out it's true?" had a huge impact on the Christian music scene, encouraging listeners to be unashamed of their faith.
Re-imagining By Other Artists
In 2010, Gotee Records released a tribute album called "Freaked" for the 15th anniversary of "Jesus Freak", featuring various artists putting their own spin on the track.

Discuss the Jesus Freak Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Jesus Freak Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2764747/dc+Talk/Jesus+Freak>.

    Missing lyrics by dc Talk?

    Know any other songs by dc Talk? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Jesus Freak

    5.9M
    42,922     2,094

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who sings the famous French song 'Sur La Lune'?
    A M. Pokora
    B Julien Doré
    C Hoshi
    D Bigflo & Oli

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss dc Talk's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    dc Talk tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!