Jesus Is For Losers

[Image: 'Squint' Front Cover]

Sections:

Lyrics

If I was driven
Driven ahead by some noble ideal
Who took the wheel?

If I was given
Given a glimpse of some glorious road
When was it sold?

So caught up in the chase
I keep forgetting my place

Just as I am
I am stiff-necked and proud
Jesus is for losers
Why do I still play to the crowd?

Just as I am
Pass the compass, please
Jesus is for losers
I'm off about a hundred degrees

If I was groping
Groping around for some ladder to fame
I am ashamed

If I was hoping
Hoping respect would make a sturdy footstool
I am a fool

Bone-weary every climb
Blindsided every time

Just as I am
I am needy and dry
Jesus is for losers
The self-made need not apply

Just as I am
In a desert crawl
Lord, I'm so thirsty
Take me to the waterfall

And if you're certain
Certain your life is some cosmic mistake
Why do you shake?

And if you're certain
Certain that faith is some know-nothing mask
Why do you still ask?

They don't grade here on the curve
We both know what we deserve

Just as you are
Just a wretch like me
Jesus is for losers
Grace from the blood of a tree

Just as we are
At a total loss
Jesus is for losers
Broken at the foot of the cross

Just as I am
Pass the compass, please
Jesus is for losers
I'm off about a hundred degrees

Just as I am
In a desert crawl
Lord, I'm so thirsty
Take me to the waterfall

Recorded Appearances

Albums

Promos

Bootlegs

About The Song

From Devoted To Satire, Chicago Tribune, November 28th, 1993:

"'Jesus Is for Losers' is sort of a litany of mistakes that I've made," admits the singer, who plans to release a long-form video of his new songs in February and will begin touring in March. "I don't usually write autobiographical songs, because I don't want to seem like I'm whining, but I've learned that if you feel you can just sprinkle a little Jesus on top of your success, you're probably climbing the wrong ladder. One thing I found out by being in a band, which is supposed to be a democracy, was just how unbelievably huge my own ego is."

From "...As You Squint With the Light Of Truth In Your Eyes", Cross Rhythms, February/March 1994:

I believe ['Sock Heaven'] is somewhat connected emotionally to the song 'Jesus Is For Losers', in that I had to take a hard look at all my motivations of the past five years in order to figure out where to go from here. The title 'Jesus Is For Losers' seemed both an adequate summation of my state of mind, and a good reminder that Jesus didn't come for the healthy, but for those who needed a doctor.

From Steve Taylor: Living Life in the Open, CCM Magazine, February 1994:

Now that Taylor has the freedom to again write "from a specifically Christian worldview," he's taking full advantage of the opportunity. Take for example, "Jesus is for Losers."

"The impetus of that song came I think," Taylor admits, "when I was reading about some porn star that had become a Christian. My first reaction was exactly the same as that of people who might have a problem with the song. I thought, 'That's just what we need, a porn star for Christ, what an embarrassment to the church.' But you catch yourself right in the middle of thinking that, and it's like 'Are you hearing what you're saying?' The whole reason Jesus came was to heal people that are sick--He didn't come for those who don't need a doctor. My first reaction to this guy was 'go somewhere else,' but that's not a real Christ-like attitude to have. These songs are very self-indicting.

From The Flying Chicken, The Monkey Temple, The Cotton Castle, Campus Life, March 1994:

A revealing look at personal motives, resulting in the truth of Jesus' words that "those who lose their lives for My sake will find it," and "it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."

From Steve Taylor Breaks New Ground As Christian Musician, National Public Radio All Things Considered, March 9th, 1995:

Linda Wertheimer: Here's a song that just, right on the face of it, the title of it is "Jesus is for Losers." I get what you're talking about there, but I mean, I would think that would be a title that would kind of--you could go both ways on that. It could make you mad.

Steve Taylor: Yeah, it could, and you know, it did make a few people mad. I go back to the subversive communication in the Bible, you know. So many times Jesus would say something to get people's attention. He knew that he had to engage their minds as well as their hearts, and so a song title like "Jesus is for Losers" hopefully makes you want to read what the song is saying, and of course, the song says in summary of what Jesus said--I didn't come for those who were well. I came for those who need a doctor. All of us are losers--that's why we need the Saviour.