Drop Kick Me Jesus (Through The Goalposts Of Life)

Album: The Winner and Other Losers (1976)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Memphis-born country songwriter Paul Craft, this tune envisions Jesus as a divine football player who can send the narrator soaring past the temptations in life with a heavenly drop kick. Not everyone was willing to accept Jesus in this rough-and-tumble role. Craft explained on his website: "When I wrote 'Dropkick Me Jesus' I figured everybody knew about songs like 'I'm Using My Bible For A Roadmap' and 'We Need A Lot More Jesus (And A Lot Less Rock And Roll)' and would appreciate what I had accomplished with my song. Well, my mother didn't, for one. She just KNEW there was something wrong with a song that had 'kick' and 'Jesus' that close together in the title. And she wasn't alone. But Elvis Costello and Bill Clinton understand it and like it."
  • This peaked at #17 on the US country chart and at #18 on Canada's country chart.

Comments: 3

  • Judd Conway from Eugene, OrI heard this on a record by a group of Harvard students that called themselves The Raunch Hands. This was in academic year 1960-61.
  • Lois from NyThank you, Largojuan! I was traveling the country in 1976, & a friend took me to a fun bar/grill somewhere between Santa Fe & Albuquerque, along 25 or the Turquoise Trail. There was a fun, friendly band there, and they sang Drop Kick Me Jesus. It was the Watermelon Mountain Jug Band. I'd never heard of them, but they were cool guys, very friendly. I laughed and danced... and then bought their album - and I have it to this day!
  • Largojuan from New MexicoThe Watermelon Mountain Jug Band, of Albuquerque did drop kick me originally. Plus it was on an LP. already. Then all the sudden it's recorded by Mr Bare. The original was written by Jeff Bouroughs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."