Jesus Says
One million lightyears from home
Throwing up and feeling small
Where have I gone and landed tonight
I’ve been shot right to the core
Of NYC and hostility yeah
But you gotta laugh
Cos there’s something that I cannot do without
And it’s in your hand
Where have I gone and landed tonight
A million lightyears from home
Throwing up and feeling small
And now I know that my mind is blown
Cos there’s something that I cannot live without
Something That I understand
Cos there’s something that I cannot do without
And it’s in your hand
Cut down shot down
Anyway you please
Don’t mean nothing to me
Big time small time
Anyway you choose yeah
Don’t mean nothing to me (alright)
Where have I gone and landed tonight
God give me strength
In a land of thieves
And small time petty thieves
Must be a wrong place
Cos all my honesty is true yeah
But it’s gone to waste
On a soulless superficial void
Called the human race
Cut down shot down
Anyway you please
Don’t mean nothing to me
Big time small time
Anyway you choose yeah
But you gotta compete (alright, alright)
One million lightyears from home
Throwing up and feeling small
Where have I gone and landed tonight
I’ve been shot right to the core
Of NYC and hostility yeah
But you gotta laugh
Cos there’s something that I cannot do without
And it’s in your hand
Cut down shot down
Anyway you please
Don’t mean nothing to me
Big time small time
Anyway you choose yeah
Don’t mean fuck all to me
You’ve been cut down shot down
Anyway you please yeah
Sisters and brothers please yeah
Big time small time
Anyway you please yeah
Don’t mean nothing to me
Song Notes
The song that launched Ash’s second album was a miniature hit making #15 in the UK chart, introducing a rawer sound miles away from 1977, which left many baffled. Nevertheless the song is a fans favourite and constant in the bands set list. Despite its title, this song does not have any religious meaning. The title is instead taken from Velvet Underground tracks “Jesus” and “Candy Says”. It is believed working titles for the song include “V U” and “Ditto”.
The song was re-mixed by infamous Nirvana Nevermind producer Butch Vig for release in America. There is also a remix version that was released on a white label 12” and later as a B-side to the “Shining Light” single.
Tim Wheeler said of the song:
This was written at the height of our touring madness. It’s about being hung over and homesick in New York City - a million lightyears from home.
Tim later told Kerrang!:
The lyrics come from when we were on the road for the last album. When we were feeling all burnt out and fucked over. It’s just a pissed-off rant, really.
Charlotte during the Tim Burgess Twitter listening party for Nu-Clear Sounds in April 2020:
Scuzzy Stones guitars and a load of Wheeler attitude. Did we ever play it at this tempo live?! On record it’s a stomp but live it was always a zillion times faster.