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Do not fill this in! {{Short description|1992 single by Genesis}} {{EngvarB|date=June 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}} {{Infobox song | name = Jesus He Knows Me | cover = Jesus he knows me.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] | album = [[We Can't Dance]] | B-side = Hearts on Fire | released = {{start date|1992|7|13|df=y}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-07-11.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=19|date=11 July 1992|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> | studio = [[The Farm (recording studio)|The Farm]] ([[Surrey]], England) | genre = <!-- Do NOT add genres without a source to support them. --> | length = 4:18 (single mix) | label = * [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] * [[Virgin Records|Virgin]] | writer = * [[Tony Banks (musician)|Tony Banks]] * [[Phil Collins]] * [[Mike Rutherford]] | producer = * Genesis * [[Nick Davis (record producer)|Nick Davis]] | prev_title = [[Hold on My Heart]] | prev_year = 1992 | next_title = [[Never a Time]] | next_year = 1992 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|2-rfCnW5VlE|"Jesus He Knows Me"}}}} }} "'''Jesus He Knows Me'''" is a song by English rock band [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] from their 14th studio album, ''[[We Can't Dance]]'' (1991), released in July 1992 as the album's fourth single. The song is a satire of [[televangelism]], released in a period when several televangelists such as [[Jimmy Swaggart]], [[Robert Tilton]] and [[Jim Bakker]] were under investigation for promising financial success to their listeners, provided they sent money to them. The song reached {{abbr|No.|Number}} 10 in Canada, No. 20 in the United Kingdom and No. 23 in the United States. ==Background== Before the lyrics were added, the song's title was "Do The New Thing", possibly referencing Tony Banks' opening keyboard notes, which are heard again in the bridge. According to the behind-the-scenes documentary ''Genesis: No Admittance'', the first lyric Phil Collins wrote out of improvisation was the chorus line ''"Jesus, he knows me, and he knows I'm right"''. Following up that lyric logically took him to the idea of manic/fanatic Christians who believe that they are 'in touch' with the Almighty, which was best personified by [[Televangelism|televangelists]], many of whom finance their lavish lifestyles by conning believers out of charitable donations. Banks commented that while he likes the song, it's a bit more cynical than Collins's usual style of songwriting. ==Release== Like all the singles from ''We Can't Dance,'' "Jesus He Knows Me" was released on two CDs as well as on vinyl editions. All formats featured the non-album track "Hearts on Fire" (later included on ''[[Genesis Archive]] No. 2 1976–1992'') as the primary [[B-side]], while both CDs included an exclusive track. The first CD contains "The Other Mix" of "I Can't Dance" (a [[remix]] by [[Ben Liebrand]]) and the second includes the rehearsal version of "[[Land of Confusion]]". "The Other Mix" is named as such because another version, the "Sex Mix," had been released some months before on the "I Can't Dance" CD single. The second CD was the fifth disc in "The Invisible Series," a collection of Genesis CDs which featured live recordings as extra tracks. The single mix of "Jesus He Knows Me" has a louder chorus than the album version, making it more suitable for radio play. "Jesus He Knows Me" was awarded one of [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]]'s Pop Awards in 1993, honoring the songwriters, composers and music publishers of the song.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= BMI Congratulates The PRS Writers and Publishers of BMI's Most Performed Works of 1992: Most Performed Pop Songs |magazine= [[Music Week]] |page= 2 |date= 20 November 1993 |accessdate= 13 May 2023 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-11-20.pdf}}</ref> ==Critical reception== Geoff Orens from [[AllMusic]] viewed the song as "surprisingly gritty".<ref>{{cite web |first= Geoff |last= Orens |title= Genesis – ''We Can't Dance'' |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= 4 November 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/we-cant-dance-mw0000269602}}</ref> [[Larry Flick]] from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' wrote, "Once again, venerable band digs into its double-platinum ''[[We Can't Dance]]'' opus and pulls out an instantly familiar, yet totally pleasing rock cut, tailor-made for play at several formats. Interesting twists come via a [[reggae]]-vibed break in the middle of the song and cutting lyrics. Be sure to check out the inventive music videoclip."<ref>{{cite magazine |first= Larry |last= Flick |title= Single Reviews |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= 1 August 1992 |page= 102 |access-date= 25 October 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1992/Billboard-1992-08-01.pdf |author-link= Larry Flick}}</ref> Randy Clark from ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' felt the song "is a more hard-drivin' Genesis, this time with a send up on [[televangelism|television evangelists]], in contrast to the current hit [[ballad]], "[[Hold on My Heart|Hold On My Heart]]". Phil serves up either vocal style with equal ability and likeability."<ref>{{cite magazine |first= Randy |last= Clark |title= Music Reviews: Singles |magazine= Cashbox |date= 25 July 1992 |page= 5 |access-date= 1 November 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1992/CB-1992-07-25.pdf}}</ref> ''The Daily Vault''<nowiki/>'s Christopher Thelen described it as "a slap in the face against television evangelists who are more concerned about fleecing their flocks than shepherding them, and contains some very sharp jabs against the more hypocritical ones."<ref>{{cite web |first= Christopher |last= Thelen |title= ''We Can't Dance'' – Genesis |publisher= The Daily Vault |date= 21 December 1998 |access-date= 20 November 2020 |url= http://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=607}}</ref> Kara Manning from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' viewed "Jesus He Knows Me" as "a sharp indictment of televangelical piety."<ref>Manning, Kara (9 January 1992). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828212945/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/genesis/albums/album/189249/review/5943222/we_cant_dance Album Review], ''[[Rolling Stone]]''.</ref> ==Music video== The accompanying [[music video]] for "Jesus He Knows Me" features Phil Collins as an unscrupulous [[televangelist]] who uses donations from his followers to support his luxurious lifestyle. Collins has admitted that he was specifically parodying [[Ernest Angley]] in the video. According to Collins on the [[BBC]] show ''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]],'' Angley was flattered by the parody<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHhXgqfKL0|title=Room 101 - Phil Collins - Part 1, TV Evangelists|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> and did not realize that his very occupation was being skewered. The opening monologue, which has been mistaken for a fictional scenario for the video clip, is based on an actual story Angley had told earlier in his career and which he recounted again in 2013.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/KZrZZiLpl9E Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160314144638/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZrZZiLpl9E Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZrZZiLpl9E| title = discovery made in song 'Jesus he knows me' | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The comedic video also features band members Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford dressed as fellow evangelists. Collins, outfitted in an orange suit, portrays the leader of the "Oasis of Faith" television ministry and claims that the Lord wants him to raise $18 million from his viewers before the coming weekend. During the final chorus, cash rains down over the broadcast studio and stagehands collect more from the audience in baskets and wheelbarrows, meeting the goal.<ref name="vintage">{{cite episode|series=Tune In To... |title=1992|date=1 May 2015|network=[[Vintage TV (TV channel)|Vintage TV]]}}</ref> As the song fades out, Collins continues to preach before being dragged off the set by Rutherford and Banks, a reference to the ending of the video for "[[I Can't Dance]]". Near the 1:40 mark, people can be seen holding a sign reading "Genesis 3:25,"<ref name="vintage" /> referring not to the Bible's [[Book of Genesis]] but to the fact that the band had been together for 25 years at that point and had had three members for most of its existence. The third chapter of Genesis, in reality, only has 24 verses. In the original version of the video, the "toll-free number" referred to in the lyrics was shown as 1-555-GEN-ESIS.<ref name="vintage" /> This was covered up by a scroll bar in later edits of the video. (The [[555 (telephone number)|555]] area code actually does not prefix any known toll-free telephone numbers.) At the [[Brit Awards]] in [[1993 Brit Awards#Winners and nominees|1993]] the video was nominated for [[Brit Award for British Video of the Year#Winners and nominees|British Video of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj36kJDF-mc|title=Shakespeare's Sister wins British Video presented by Naomi Campbell | BRIT Awards 1993|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> ==Live performances== The song was performed live on the 1992 ''We Can't Dance'' tour, although it was originally not going to be played because the band thought the live visuals were mocking religion. The band eventually decided to perform "Jesus He Knows Me" instead of "Living Forever," which was in the setlist at the time. Touring guitarist [[Daryl Stuermer]] played lead guitar, including a solo towards the end, while [[Mike Rutherford]] played bass. ==Track listings== * '''7-inch and cassette single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Jesus He Knows Me|others=[[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]|year=1992|type=UK 7-inch single sleeve|publisher=[[Virgin Records]]|id=GENS 9, 115 486}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Jesus He Knows Me|others=Genesis|year=1992|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Virgin Records|id=GENSC 9}}</ref> # "Jesus He Knows Me" (single mix) # "Hearts on Fire" * '''UK CD1 and Australian CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Jesus He Knows Me|others=Genesis|year=1992|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records|id=GENDG 9, 665 486}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Jesus He Knows Me|others=Genesis|year=1992|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records|id=GENSD9}}</ref> # "Jesus He Knows Me" (single mix) # "Hearts on Fire" # "I Can't Dance" (the other mix) * '''UK CD2'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Jesus He Knows Me|others=Genesis|year=1992|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records|id=GENDX 9, 665 487}}</ref> # "Jesus He Knows Me" (single mix) # "Hearts on Fire" # "Land of Confusion (rehearsal version) ==Personnel== * [[Tony Banks (musician)|Tony Banks]] – keyboards * [[Phil Collins]] – drums, vocals * [[Mike Rutherford]] – electric guitars, bass guitar ==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1992) !Peak<br/>position |- !scope="row"|Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}</ref> |56 |- {{single chart|Austria|26|artist=Genesis|song=Jesus He Knows Me|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Flanders|18|artist=Genesis|song=Jesus He Knows Me|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|10|chartid=1933|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|22|chartid=1886|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- !scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-09-05.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=9|issue=36|page=21|date=5 September 1992|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> |28 |- {{single chart|France|27|artist=Genesis|song=Jesus He Knows Me|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Germany|13|artist=Genesis|song=Jesus He Knows Me|songid=7988|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Ireland2|22|song=Jesus He Knows Me|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Dutch40|11|year=1992|week=33|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Dutch100|18|artist=Genesis|song=Jesus He Knows Me|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|New Zealand|35|artist=Genesis|song=Jesus He Knows Me|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Sweden|38|artist=Genesis|song=Jesus He Knows Me|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|UK|20|date=19920808|rowheader=true|access-date=5 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|23|artist=Genesis|rowheader=true|access-date=25 February 2020}} |- {{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|27|artist=Genesis|rowheader=true|access-date=25 February 2020}} |- {{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|24|artist=Genesis|rowheader=true|access-date=25 February 2020}} |- {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|12|artist=Genesis|rowheader=true|access-date=25 February 2020}} |- !scope="row"|US [[Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles|''Cash Box'' Top 100]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996]]|publisher=Sheridan Books, Inc.|year=2014|isbn=978-0-89820-209-0}}</ref> |16 |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (2017) !Peak<br/>position |- {{single chart|Poland|67|year=2017|chartid=2287|rowheader=true|access-date=24 April 2017}} |} {{col-2}} ===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1992) !Position |- !scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume%2056-No.%2025-December%2019,%201992.pdf|title=The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1992|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|volume=56|issue=25|page=8|date=19 December 1992|access-date=5 April 2019}}</ref> |89 |- !scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1992|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1992|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]]|language=de|access-date=5 April 2019}}</ref> |74 |} {{col-end}} ==Use in media== "Jesus He Knows Me" was featured in the 1996 Belgian film ''[[Le huitième jour]]'' by [[Jaco Van Dormael]]. The song was originally intended to be used in the 1995 ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Bart Sells His Soul]]", but as the producers could not obtain the rights to use it, "[[In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida]]" by [[Iron Butterfly]] was used instead.<ref>{{cite video | people=Daniels, Greg|date=2005|title=The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Bart Sells His Soul"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> ==Cover versions== In 2023, Swedish rock band [[Ghost (Swedish band)|Ghost]] released a cover of the song as the lead single for their EP [[Phantomime (Ghost EP)|''Phantomime'']].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/ghost-phantomime-genesis-jesus-he-knows-me|title=Surprise! Ghost rise from the dead with unholy cover of Genesis' Jesus He Knows Me, reveal new Phantomime EP details|website=Loudersound|date=April 9, 2023|access-date=July 5, 2023}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Refbegin}} * {{cite web| author=McMahan, Scott| date=January 1998| title=''The Genesis Discography''| url=http://cyberreviews.skwc.com/gendis.pdf| access-date=12 May 2006| archive-date=14 May 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514203500/http://cyberreviews.skwc.com/gendis.pdf| url-status=dead}} {{Refend}} ==External links== * [http://www.mtvhive.com/artist/genesis/videos/46674/jesus-he-knows-me Music Video] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501202500/http://www.mtvhive.com/artist/genesis/videos/46674/jesus-he-knows-me |date=1 May 2012 }} at [[MTV]] {{Genesis}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:1991 songs]] [[Category:1992 singles]] [[Category:Atlantic Records singles]] [[Category:Genesis (band) songs]] [[Category:Parodies of televangelism]] [[Category:Protest songs]] [[Category:Satirical songs]] [[Category:Songs about Jesus]] [[Category:Songs about television]] [[Category:Songs critical of religion]] [[Category:Songs written by Mike Rutherford]] [[Category:Songs written by Phil Collins]] [[Category:Songs written by Tony Banks (musician)]] [[Category:Virgin Records singles]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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