The Byrds was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 19… Read Full Bio ↴The Byrds was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. They are considered one of the most important and influential bands of the 1960s.

Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.

The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.

In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Jesus Is Just Alright
The Byrds Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jesus is just all right with me
Jesus is just all right, oh yeah
Jesus is just all right with me
Jesus is just all right

I don't care what they may know
I don't care where they may go
I don't care what they may know

Jesus is just all right, oh yeah
Jesus is just all right

I don't care what they may say
I don't care what they may do
I don't care what they may say
Jesus is just all right, oh yeah
Jesus is just all right

He's called Jesus
He's called Jesus

Jesus is just all right with me
Jesus is just all right, oh yeah
Jesus is just all right with me
Jesus is just all right

Jesus is just all right with me
Jesus is just all right, oh yeah

Jesus is just all right with me
Jesus is just all right, oh yeah

Overall Meaning

"Jesus Is Just Alright" is a song that seems to express the idea that the singer does not care what others may think or say about their faith in Jesus Christ. The lyrics repeat the phrase "Jesus is just all right" throughout the song, emphasizing that the singer's relationship with Jesus is solid and unshakable. The overall tone of the song is one of confidence and assurance, conveying that the singer is at peace with their beliefs and is not swayed by other people's opinions.

Several lines in the song relate to not caring what others may say or do, suggesting that the singer is content to follow their own path and not be influenced by the world. The repeated use of "oh yeah" also adds to the song's sense of conviction and unwavering faith.

Overall, "Jesus Is Just Alright" can be seen as a celebration of personal faith and a rejection of outside pressures to conform or doubt one's beliefs.

Line by Line Meaning

Jesus is just all right with me
I find comfort and peace in my faith in Jesus.

Jesus is just all right, oh yeah
My belief in Jesus brings me joy and reassurance.

I don't care what they may know
I am not concerned with the opinions or beliefs of others.

I don't care where they may go
Others' chosen paths do not affect my own faith journey.

I don't care what they may say
The negative comments of others will not shake my faith in Jesus.

I don't care what they may do
The actions of others will not deter me from my belief in Jesus.

Do, do, do, etc.
Instrumental break without lyrics.

Jesus is just all right with me
Reiteration of my comfort and security in my faith.

Jesus is just all right
My faith in Jesus is strong and unwavering.

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARTHUR REYNOLDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Comments from YouTube:

@doesitmatter6462

2y↑8

Jesus would be just. Alright. My opinion

@davidkenner-rb8go

15w↑4

What a delicate groove! It sweeps you away.

@jorgeespinosa3179

5y↑14

Jesus is just all right with me, back then, today and always. I wish the original Byrds líne up would've stayed together much longer.

@mikefrance7498

4y↑15

This song Deserves 5 stars

@eddygsmusicworld1708

4y↑25

1st time hearing their version.Its quite good i must say. They are the Byrds,so of course its good.

@beatmasterboyce5812

3y↑1

the byrds have some bad music.. this isn't one of them...

@jaamesanderson4253

28w↑1

Many would cheer along this song during the late sixties and early seventies, ...sadly not so much anymore.

@RobertIsraelKabakoff

24w↑1

It's a great song, no matter who cheers or doesn't, and much better thanthe Doobie's cover..

@thenazarite2444

2y↑11

What a groove 🕺

@stevenlawrence3614

2y↑4

I never heard this version before, man, it’s so COOL, I just love it! I’m addicted to this it. As a matter of fact, I just can’t stop listening to it. My neighbors aren’t too happy with me right now, but, Jesus would approve. I really don’t like the version by the doobie brothers!

@THEScottCampbell

7y↑43

The BYRDS did the FIRST rock version of this song, FOUR years before The Doobie Brothers. The single was a huge hit on the US West Coast and throughout Europe.

@patriciad1204

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@patriciad1204

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@patriciad1204

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@patriciad1204

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@oldbeatpete

(but not back east- first heard it w/ The Doobies).

6 More Replies...

@DavidDismukes-n3m

Used to have a live version of this recorded at The Boston Tea Party in 69

@steveoshea50

3y↑10

John York's amazing bass work drives the song more than White's guitar.

@RockinAllDay

Agreed. John York is a BEAST on bass.

@randytaylor220

49w↑3

Best version. It’s too short!

@hollyweird4855

41w

Best is opinion. I'd say it's definitely the most streamlined version. Halfway between the original and what the Doobies cranked out.

@randytaylor220

41w

@@hollyweird4855 saying it’s opinion is redundant.
It’s always my opinion.
I don’t speak for anyone.

@hollyweird4855

40w

@@randytaylor220 -- No. Often when people state what is opinion they make it sound as though they're stating a fact. Sometimes this is exactly what they're doing!

Maybe it's 'redundant' to you, but I think it's good to designate one or the other. Have a nice day, randy taylor.

@randytaylor220

40w

@@hollyweird4855 even if it’s fact it’s still an opinion.
No one has to agree or allow themselves to believe.
It’s the best version. Now what you want to do with that is up to you.
Have a glorious one!

@Brabdog

4y↑6

The best version....

@meloland5649

8y↑18

Wonderful song.

@larryila

5y↑8

Also love their song "Turn turn Turn" love this group!

@edeckert1589

Ecclesiastes chapter 13

@RockinAllDay

@@edeckert1589Chapter 3.

@RockinAllDay

52w

@@edeckert15893*.

@johnmaer

4y↑6

The original recording, this album, this track, etc. had the proper mix so that old Clarence White's special Tele licks could burn through the instrumentation when his accent solos took place. You watch/listen to them live, and Clarence White's guitar work couldn't be discerned.

@BoltManiac

It’s not the original though. The original was by the writer’s group a few years earlier…like 1966 or so.

@johnmaer

1y↑2

@@BoltManiac Yes, the Byrds' version was that of a cover; they didn't write/compose the tune. Other bands of the era also performed their versions. I just think the blend of McGuinn's Rick-12 and Carence White's twangy Telecaster licks were quite special sounding, and Roger's vocal was also excellent.

@ronaldskmyd5304

3y↑4

A good Christmas Day melody to play at dec 25.

@carltondonaghe

5y↑8

Love this song!

@santiagosanchezblanco9430

Hombre,este es un tema mitico.Fantastico.Ya no lo recordaba.

@John-k5n6g

23w

Apart from the untitled album, probably the best of the late byrds i think😊

@LolaCrazy2221

7y↑11

How come there have been only 9 comments? Anyway I heard this was the first cover of this song origonally recorded by the Art Renyolds Singers. It made it to as far as only #97 on the Billboard chart back in 1970.

@johnmaer

7y↑6

Let me try to offer a possible explanation.....if one was into rock music when The Beatles broke in the U.S. (mid to late 60's) and got swept into the garage band craze (grab a guitar or drum kit), they would probably know very well of The Byrds and Roger McGuinn. The first version/personnel configuration of Byrds was essentially the precursor to Crosby Stills Nash.....David Crosby was in Byrds, Chris Hillman, etc. who went on to perform with or as CSN or with Stephen Stills band, Manassas. Early Byrds did well and cranked out a handful of songs that hit the top 50, including Mr. Tambourine Man, 8 Miles High, All I Really Want to Do, etc. and had a really recognizable sound due in large part to McGuinn's use of the Rick 360-12 to create that jangly folk-rock tone out of his guitar. Regrettably, that personnel got more notoriety than the later version Byrds which featured, Clarence White, Parsons and Battin in support of McGuinn, each incredibly proficient on their respective instruments. Some of us who played guitar or the Fender Telecaster in particular, were highly envious of Clarence White.....he generated some incredible lead licks that emulated the pedal steel guitar. You had to be into music big time to have known of these Byrds, but we were out there and did purchase their albums and attended concerts, if possible. They were part of rock history in that era......had a lot to do with the evolution and fusion of folk, country, and rock, even getting into trip-like hallucinogenic musical sounds as typified in 8 Miles High, Wasn't Born to Follow, etc. For guitar purists, this was a band to admire for many reasons. As others have commented, incredibly tight band and wonderful musicianship all around, nice vocals as well, good harmony. You have to be an old-timer to remember these guys however.....hope I've offered a perspective....

@thomasrobinson182

5y↑1

Artie Reynolds wrote this and Glory, Glory (on Byrdmaniax).

@Ziplok_

42w

heres to make my Jesus Is Just Alright compilation Salute to The Doobie Brothers and DC Talk great groups covering this Art Reynolds Singers classic.

@FDAPO

5y↑5

Great song

@stevenlawrence3614

I just love this version, it’s better than the doobie brothers! By far. In my humble opinion! But, of course it’s the BYRDS, the greatest folk rock band of all time! Btw, I still listen to the BYRDS religiously!

@NostalgiaBlader

7y↑10

Why must somebody dislike this song?

@fritobuggers834

Can't please everyone.

@thenazarite2444

Blimey mate!!

@hengiztcol-bass1670

Probably a Satanist, Pray for them.

@AlwaysHalloween000

10y↑16

just found out today the Byrds did this song,thanks for posting

@gweimer

9y↑7

The Byrds covered the song done earlier by The Art Reynolds Singers.

@EXHUMEnCONSUME

8y↑1

Same.

@rjwintl

6y↑2

@@gweimer ... true, Arthur Reid Reynolds wrote it 1966 at the dawn of the Jesus-freak movement !!!

@smellymala3103

Just found out today...

@williamsecrest8019

me too, my nickname is birdy

@miketheshanmanmangan

5y↑23

The Classic Original version . Later covered by THE DOOBIE BROTHERS Both versions are OUTSTANDING!

@alrivers2297

5y↑14

It was originally a gospel song from 66

@lisamarieva3514

5y↑11

"Jesus Is Just Alright" is a gospel song written by Arthur Reid Reynolds

@MrRockgod2011

and stryper also

@stephengorin2685

4y↑1

I have to disagree. The Doobie Brother's version, to put it simply, sucks!

@andyward8062

You've forgotten the cover between the Byrds and Doobies. A group called 1776 from Rochester, Michigan. On the Palladium label.

4 More Replies...

@fixinman

10w

I never knew the Byrds did this. I just heard the Doobie Brothers version.

@royboy56100

7y↑23

There was a time when people weren't afraid to sing about the Lord on national radio!!Miss those times!! We could use it now!!

@speakers79

6y↑7

AMEN

@davidogilvie717

5y↑6

People are not afraid to sing those songs, it's just that radio stations are afraid to play songs that don't fit their narrower format. I miss those times when pop radio used to play a wider variety of music.

@buttkid3548

4y↑13

Last I checked, Jesus is all over the am dial. So I don't buy the whole "people are afraid to mention Jesus" I think some Christians love to claim they are somehow oppressed, and powerless against those meanie liberals. In religious timing you guys were burning us at the stake just three or four centuries ago. Not that long ago in religious time. Just for. simply not buying into your product. They'd still be at it if it weren't for a secular enlightenment period that dragged Christians along with them, kicking and screaming. This is what needs to happen Islam. Christians still make up the vast majority of U.S
citizens, and government. So nobody is stopping you from doing whatever you want

@user-kcrpine

buttkid3548 - you do know what you can go do to yourself, right? I’m not even a Christian and am more than happy to tell you to efk yourself. Open your eyes, hater.

@joejones9520

41w↑2

@@buttkid3548 you just proved it....

2 More Replies...

@Mag777Nus

5y↑3

Take a listen to DC Talk and Stryper versions too.

@someguysomewhere38

2y↑2

Honest question: During the do do do part, is he saying 'He's not Jesus' or 'He's my Jesus'? Honestly can't figure it out

@darrenrunning5415

He's singing 'Talkin' 'bout Jesus.'

@robzstarrr2738

10y↑3

ya, uncompressed dynamic HF...tanks4posting

@michelleblattler2903

6y↑2

I did't know this was a byrds song until I heard it today on Tom Petty radio. I had only heard the Doobie Brothers version.

@cazgerald9471

5y↑3

It's also a cover for The Byrds - this is the original https://youtu.be/pVe7kknLFNE

@YYCkike

4y↑2

The Art Reynolds Singers first recorded in 1966

@foureyedchick

2y↑3

How many people know that the Doobie Brother's version is a cover?

@RockinAllDay

52w↑2

This one is a cover as well.

@blakeh6250

Do now

@QueenetBowie

13w

I prefer this to the Doobie Brothers version, they did a good job making a gospel song more rock n roll but still sounds very gospely/gospelish.

@supermetalrockmetal

7y↑3

ROcK En!! rOLL!

@kellyreyburn5310

48w

REVIVAL COMING 💥

@silberlinie

Gut nice fein

@russfain7150

5y↑1

He;s on His way russ fain

@TheGenreman

Is crosby on this?

@andyiwanski939

4y↑1

Do they mean he's just alright like he's ok or do they mean yea man that cat is alright?

@MrPhilfridge

Well what do you think?

@andyiwanski939

Well I don't know Jesus so I think he's just OK I guess.

@rkevinparker

They mean "Hey, man, that Jesus is one COOL dude!" 1960s slang.

@thomasrobinson182

I would've like to have had a wider stereo remix of this. It's always sounded a little flat to me, probably Terry Melcher's preference for mono coming through.

@stevefugatt7075

✝️

@doctorbohr1585

39w↑2

Jesus is just alright. Pity about his followers 😞

@marceloromero9244

6y↑7

The Byrds
"Jesus Is Just Alright"
#97, 1970.
I prefer the Doobie Brothers version from late 1974.

@royboy56100

DcTalk also did a great version too!!

@alrivers2297

5y↑2

Late 72 for Doobies version

@davidluck1678

28w

aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh.....Laurel Canyon, and the sound of the CIA

@MIKECNW

6y↑16

Better than The Doobie' s version.

@cazgerald9471

5y↑4

The Doobie's stayed closer to the gospel feel of the original.

@alrivers2297

5y↑4

I like Doobies version more

@johnhinsdale9203

3y↑2

@@alrivers2297 The Doobies version definitely more pumped up. However, the Doobies are clearly doing a take on this version, not the original, so there would be no Doobies version without this one. Byrds get credit for the arrangement. And this version is really good as well! But the Doobies knock it out of the park especially with those guitar breaks.

@db0956-2

ABSOLUTELY!!

@stephengorin2685

4y↑9

I simply cannot understand why this was not a huge hit while the Doobie Brother's far inferior version was. Sometimes life truly ain't fair.

@billmasters6088

upbeat tempo

@roderickgraham4694

3y↑5

Sorry but I think to doobies was better

@ageema

You better check out this the 10x harder original
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVe7kknLFNE

@Dogdrum

3y↑6

The Doobies' version was head and shoulders better than this pogo stick sounding original. It's as if the Doobies wrote it.

@sv2935

3y↑1

Saw Doobie Brothers live version, unforgettable moment of a lifetime

5 More Replies...

@josephloehr9617

6y↑5

Atheist, antitheist, but DAMN this song is good!

@Youtube_deleted_my_favourites

made me laugh

@John-uz3oy

Where better than the remake by

@oldbeatpete

1y↑1

... do unto others' song as one would have done u to another song I think.

@sjdrifter72

2y↑2

The Byrds may have done the first cover of this gospel song, but they did the Good Lord no favors because it's too short, too repetitive, and dull. The Doobie Brothers took this song and made it THEIRS. Their version ROCKED and includes the beautiful "Jesus is my friend" bridge and great guitar solo. It's far superior and it's the reason why the Doobies version is the one most people know and love, while the Byrds original is unknown and forgotten.

@joejones9520

41w

the byrds' version was a cover

@tac5698

I am thinking I have h(ai)rs on my b.rain📜👌📬

@fluxmuldar

They really veered into tacky territory with this song. Terrible.

@oldbeatpete

"tacky"?

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