In 1995, songwriter/producer and representative for Atlantic Records Matt Serletic approached the members of Tabitha's Secret concerning a long-term record deal. However, Serletic was more interested in helping Thomas find his voice than he was in the band Tabitha's Secret. Jay Stanley and John Goff were uninterested in a long-term record deal, believing it was better to sign for a one-record deal and evaluate the situation following this record's release. Thomas, however, felt the band should take the offer.
The fact that Stanley and Goff were resistant to sign, alongside pressure from the record company to drop the two guitar players, Thomas, Yale, and Doucette decided it was best to part ways with the other members of the band. Splitting the band landed Thomas, Yale, and Doucette a two-record deal with Atlantic Records, which was later renewed. With their two guitar players gone, Atlantic introduced the trio to Adam Gaynor, a rhythm guitarist and Kyle Cook, a lead guitarist. The five now comprise Matchbox Twenty, a world-renowned band.
When Matchbox Twenty debuted its first album Yourself or Someone Like You, Jay Stanley sued for royalties, claiming he owned the rights to the song 3am which appeared on the newly released record. Stanley stated that he was paid for the original recording sessions of the song when it was performed by Tabitha's Secret (it's released on multiple albums by Tabitha's Secret). This lawsuit lasted five years and was settled in 2000.
Although the band never released any records while they were together, Jay Stanley released three albums after getting the rights to the recordings of Tabitha's Secret. He released a rough demo mix, "Don't Play With Matches" in 1998, to satisfy the hard-core fans and the "Live" record in 2000. Later, Stanley joined with Tony Miceli and engineer George Spatta to re-mix, re-master, and overdub the original recordings and put them into the album "Tabitha's Secret?" which was released in late 2001.
Jesus Was an Alien
Tabitha's Secret Lyrics
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And if you believe that well then sit down and I'll tell you more
Lee Harvey Oswald, well you know he acted alone
And Charlie Manson only wanted to make his house a home
Jesus was an alien
Flying through space
And God was an astronaut, who said "boy I like your face"
Girl I love you and the check is in the mail
I found religion inside myself
I drank the blood the flesh was stale
Reach in your pockets, and give us all you can
You know the one that's going to heaven is gonna be the richer man
Jesus was an alien
Flying through space
And God was an astronaut, who said "boy I like your face"
So the story began
I see you shaking boy, do you find it hard to believe
That the one you been living for would cut your wrist to watch you bleed
You found that the truth is a lie and it makes you feel unwell
But the church of the almighty dollar is all we have to save us from hell
Jesus was an alien
Flying through space
And God was an astronaut, who said "boy I like your face"
So the story began
Jesus was an alien
Flying through space
And God was an astronaut, who said "boy I like your face"
So the story began
That's the story from my side, to your side
The lyrics of "Jesus Was an Alien" by Tabitha's Secret may seem like a mishmash of conspiracy theories and bizarre ideas, but upon closer examination, the song is actually a commentary on the human tendency to believe in something, anything, to provide meaning and purpose in life.
The song begins with references to Elvis, Lee Harvey Oswald, and Charlie Manson, all of whom have become cultural icons of conspiracy theories and legendary tales. The lyrics suggest the human need to believe in stories that are often improbable or impossible to be true. The reference to Jesus as an alien and God as an astronaut reinforces this idea of the need for something beyond what we know and understand.
As the song progresses, we see the dark side of this desire for knowledge and belief. The lines "You found that the truth is a lie and it makes you feel unwell / But the church of the almighty dollar is all we have to save us from hell" illustrate the idea that we often cling to belief systems, even if they are based on falsehoods, to feel safe or secure.
Line by Line Meaning
Elvis is alive at your local grocery store
There are many ridiculous rumors like Elvis being alive at the grocery store, but they're not true, and I have something more important to tell you.
And if you believe that well then sit down and I'll tell you more
If you really believe in silly rumors, then let me explain something even more unbelievable, but with a deeper meaning.
Lee Harvey Oswald, well you know he acted alone
There are many conspiracy theories about the assassination of JFK, but the only plausible explanation is that Oswald acted alone.
And Charlie Manson only wanted to make his house a home
Manson is infamous for being a mass murderer, but maybe he was just trying to build a home for his followers, however misguided his methods were.
Jesus was an alien
The idea that Jesus was an alien may sound strange, but it's an allegory for something deeper and more profound.
Flying through space
The concept of Jesus flying through space may seem absurd, but it's meant to symbolize something beyond our physical world.
And God was an astronaut, who said "boy I like your face"
This is a metaphor for God being an extraterrestrial being who noticed and valued humanity's potential.
So the story began
This phrase signifies the start of a deeper, metaphorical story that speaks to the human condition.
Girl I love you and the check is in the mail
This line is a common idiom used to express love or gratitude, and also reflects how people may try to cover up their true intentions with empty promises.
I found religion inside myself
The idea of finding religion inside oneself is an introspective and personal journey that reflects searching for deeper meaning in life.
I drank the blood the flesh was stale
This line is referencing the Christian sacrament of Communion and highlights how religious practices can be distorted or become meaningless over time.
Reach in your pockets, and give us all you can
This phrase is a common request for donations, but also reflects how people can be manipulated to give away their money for false promises of salvation.
You know the one that's going to heaven is gonna be the richer man
This line is meant as a critique of prosperity gospel, the belief that God rewards monetary prosperity, which is often manipulative and exploitative.
I see you shaking boy, do you find it hard to believe
Here, the singer is challenging the listener to question their beliefs and consider alternative perspectives.
That the one you been living for would cut your wrist to watch you bleed
This line reflects how people can be held captive by toxic or harmful ideologies, and how even their leaders may be the ones causing their suffering.
You found that the truth is a lie and it makes you feel unwell
This line reflects the disillusionment that comes with discovering that something believed to be true is actually false, leading to a feeling of unease or instability.
But the church of the almighty dollar is all we have to save us from hell
This is a critique of organized religion that values material gain over spiritual enlightenment or morality.
That's the story from my side, to your side
This phrase represents the end of the story, and how it may be perceived differently depending on one's perspective or beliefs.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind