Meaning of Jesus Walks by Kanye West & The Story Behind

Until recently, rap seemed completely inappropriate music for religious purposes, and it was difficult to imagine it in the church. With the light hand of Kanye West, the popular genre has made its way into the world of official Christianity. The track Jesus Walks convinced the priests that hip-hop is good for glorifying the Lord. And the most perspicacious religious leaders realized that with its help it is possible to reach the hearts of young people and make new parishioners out of them.

However, not all Christians enthusiastically accepted the new work of the famous rapper. Many conservative believers found it offensive. As is often the case in the world of show business, the scandal only contributed to the popularity of the track, and a few years after the release, the composition began to be considered a classic of the genre.

The story behind and Meaning of Jesus Walks

It was composed by Che Smith (under the stage name Rhymefest) and Kanye West.

Che told how the work on the track went:

Kanye and I grew up together. I found gospel by a choir of New York drug addicts. Even though I’m not a Christian, it touched me and the beat was a bit like a rap beat. We created the whole song, but it came to life when Kanye added army sounds and made it sound like a god warrior song.
Then we started writing words. When you compose verses about Jesus, it robs the power of the refrain, so the sinner speaks in the verses. We took the Niger Sound from the song of Kertis Maifield [имеются в виду сэмплы из трека Don’t Worry if There’s a Hell Below, We’re All Going to Go – Curtis Mayfield].
When we write together we listen to a beat, then I come up with a line and he [Канье] turns it into something completely different, then I add more lines, and before you know it, we have the song ready.

Guardian, 2006

What is Jesus Walks – Kanye West about? The words touch upon the problems of racism, violence, drug trafficking. At the same time, the latter condemn the vices of society, which are often extolled in rap tracks, and make it clear that Jesus loves even hardened sinners.

The text contains many biblical allusions and references to famous works. The translation published below will help you understand the meaning of the Jesus Walks song.

Recording and release

The producers did not believe in the success of the track. Rap musician Jensen Karp said:

I remember one time while recording, a few years before the release of the song, Kanye played an early version of Jesus Walks in the room where I was, along with several managers, various people from show business, DJ Clue, rapper Fabolous, sound engineer Duro. While the song was playing, Kanye acted impulsively and said the words, which he always did when his music was playing, and I think he still does. He acted like he was filming a video clip…
The song ended, someone started to make positive but restrained comments, and Kanye went into the kitchen. Within seconds, the whole room erupted in laughter. Some people even made fun of him, copying his voice and making fun of his overzealous enthusiasm. One cool producer even asked an assistant to make sure that Kanye would no longer perform in a similar style.

Vulture

In December 2004, Jesus Walks was released as a single from The College Dropout.

In the world of radio, there was an unwritten rule: songs that called Jesus by name were not allowed on the air. It was customary to replace it with the pronoun “He”. Kanye defied that tradition in the track’s second verse, openly asking why anyone could rap about anything but God. The trick worked, and Jesus Walks got into rotation not only on the largest radio stations, but also on the MTV channel.

This helped promote the track, and it peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100. Jesus Walks was awarded a Grammy for Best Rap Song. Rolling Stone included it in their list of the 500 Greatest Music of All Time, and PopMatters recognized it as the best single of the year.

Video of Jesus Walks – Kanye West

The song was so important to Kanye West that he filmed three music videos for it, spending over a million dollars in personal savings.

First, let’s watch the Jesus Walks video directed by Michael Haussman, in which Kanye plays the role of a rapper priest.

The next Jesus Walks video was directed by Chris Milk. The video was awarded Best Actor at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2005.

The third version of the Jesus Walks video was filmed in Chicago. Directed by Kanye West and Coodie & Chike.

Interesting Facts

The song features a sample from Walk with Me performed by ARC Choir
Donda West, Kanye’s mother, says in her autobiography that one day over three hundred teenagers embraced Jesus after hearing West perform the Jesus Walks.
Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC claimed he didn’t like modern rap until he heard Jesus Walks.
The song was featured on the soundtrack of the movie Jarhead.

Lyrics of Jesus Walks by Kanye West

Order, huh
Yo, we at war
We at war with terrorism, racism, but most of all we at war with ourselves

(Jesus Walks)
God show me the way because the Devil’s tryin’ to break me down
(Jesus Walks with me, with me, with me, with me, with me)

You know what the Midwest is?
Young and Restless
Where restless might snatch ya necklace
And next these might jack ya Lexus
Somebody tell these who Kanye West is
I walk through the valley of Chi where death is
Top floor of the view alone will leave you breathless
Try to catch it, it’s kinda hard
Getting choked by detectives yeah, yeah, now check the method
They be asking us questions, harass, and arrest us
Saying “We eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast!”
Huh! Y’all eat pieces of shit? What’s the basis?
We ain’t goin’ nowhere, but got suits and cases
A trunk full of coke rental car from Avis
My Mama used to say only Jesus can save us
Well Mama, I know I act a fool
But I’ll be gone ’til November, I got packs to move, I hope

(Jesus Walks)
God show me the way because the Devil’s tryin’ to break me down
(Jesus Walks with me)
The only thing that I pray is that my feet don’t fail me now
(Jesus Walks)
And I don’t think there is nothing I can do now to right my wrongs
(Jesus Walks with me)
I want to talk to God, but I’m afraid because we ain’t spoke in so long
(I want Jesus)
God show me the way because the Devil’s tryin’ to break me down
The only thing that I pray is that my feet don’t fail me now
And I don’t think there is nothing I can do now to right my wrongs
I want to talk to God, but I’m afraid because we ain’t spoke in so long, so long

so long
(Jesus Walks with me)

To the hustlers, killers, murderers, drug dealers even the strippers
(Jesus walks for them)
To the victims of welfare for we living in hell here hell yeah
(Jesus walks for them)
Now hear ye hear ye want to see Thee more clearly
I know He hear me when my feet get weary
Cause we’re the almost nearly extinct
We rappers are role models we rap we don’t think
I ain’t here to argue about his facial features
Or here to convert atheists into believers
I’m just trying to say the way school need teachers
The way Kathie Lee needed Regis that’s the way I need Jesus
So here go my single, dawg, radio needs this
They said you can rap about anything except for Jesus
That means guns, sex, lies, video tape
But if I talk about God my record won’t get played
Huh?
Well, let this take away from my spins
Which will probably take away from my ends
Then I hope this take away from my sins
And bring the day that I’m dreaming about
Next time I’m in the club everybody screaming out

(Jesus Walks)
God show me the way because the devil trying to break me down
(Jesus Walks with me, with me, with me)
The only thing that I pray is that my feet don’t fail me now

Authors: CHE SMITH, MIRI BEN-ARI, KANYE OMARI WEST, CURTIS LEON LUNDY
Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

Jesus Walks Lyrics by Kanye West Alternate

order
We’re at war.
We are at war with terrorism, racism, but most of all we are at war with ourselves.

(Jesus is coming)
God show me the way cause the devil is trying to break me
(Jesus is coming with me, with me, with me, with me)

Do you know what the Midwest is like?
young and daring
Where sassy can rip your necklace off
And then those same might steal your Lexus.
Somebody tell these who Kanye West is
I walk through the valley of where death dwells
The view from the top floor is enough to leave you breathless.
Try to restore it, but it’s not easy.
Detectives choke you, yes, try it for yourself.
She ask questions, hound and arrest us
Saying, “We eat shit like you for breakfast!”
Ha! Are you eating shit? What is the point?
We’re not running anywhere, but we’re getting suits and cases.
The trunk of a rental car from Avis is full of cocaine.
Mother9 said that only Jesus could save us.
Well mama I know I’m acting like a fool
But, I hope that by November I will be gone10, it’s time to move

(Jesus is coming)
God show me the way cause the devil is trying to break me
(Jesus is walking with me)
All I pray is that my feet don’t fail me
(Jesus is coming)
I don’t think there is anything I can do to correct my mistakes.
(Jesus walks beside me)
I want to talk to God, but I’m afraid, because we haven’t talked in such a long time.
(I want Jesus)
God show me the way cause the devil is trying to break me
I only pray that my feet don’t fail me.
I don’t think there is anything I can do to correct my mistakes.
I want to talk to God, but I’m afraid, because we haven’t talked in such a long time.

So long ago
(Jesus walks beside me)

Rogues, murderers, murderers, drug dealers, even strippers
(Jesus backs them up)
Victims of welfare, feel we’re living in hell here
(Jesus backs them up)
I listen, I listen to You, I want to see You more clearly.
I know He hears me when my feet get tired
After all, we are almost dead.
We rappers are role models: we rap, we don’t think.
I’m not here to argue about His features.
Or convert atheists.
I’m just trying to say, just like a school needs teachers,
Just like Cathy Lee needs Regis, I need Jesus there.
Here’s my single, man, it needs the radio.
They say you can rap about anything but Jesus.
I mean, guns, sex, lies, videos
But if I talk about God, my record won’t be played
BUT?
Well, let me not be twisted because of this,
Which will most likely hit me in the pocket.
But I hope that this will atone for my sins a little.
And brings the day I dream of.
The next time I’m in a club, everyone will be yelling…

(Jesus is coming)
God show me the way cause the devil is trying to break me
(Jesus is coming with me, with me, with me)
I only pray that my feet don’t fail me.

The northern states of the center of the USA, the birthplace of Kanye West
TV series aired on CBS since 1973
This is a sample from Curtis Mayfield’s Don’t Worry if There’s a Hell Below, We’re All Going to Go.
A nod to Chicago where Kanye grew up.
A reference to Psalm 22:4, which says, “If I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…”.
A reference to a memorable scene from the movie Happy Gilmore.
Suits and cases – perhaps a play on words, alluding to body bags and cases in court.
Reminds me of a scene from The Wire, in which one of the characters is detained in an Avis car with cocaine in the trunk.
Allusion to the song Hey, Mama by Kanye West
Gone ‘Til November Wycleaf Jean
Perhaps this is a reference to Matthew 14:25-31. The phrase was also popularized by American track and field athlete Bruce Jenner.
Kathie Lee Gifford and Regis Philbin – TV show hosts Live with Regis and Kathie Lee
A reference to Steven Soderbergh’s Sexy, Lies, and Videotape