I'd be honored if some 90s fans would take a listen to my low-fi acoustic piano & vocal RUclips performances of IF GOD WAS ONE OF US by Joan Osborne and BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY by the Verve in tribute to 2 classics of the mid/late 90s era. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace out and stay safe in the '020s.
Eric Bazilian, author, and his wife, Sarah. All respect and admiration to you both, and for a wonderful explanation of the creative process. This song is a powerful statement of simple humility and humanity. Catchy, too! Many thanks to the both of you and Joan for the simple beauty and truth!
I'd be honored if some 90s fans would take a listen to my acoustic piano & vocal RUclips performances of IF GOD WAS ONE OF US by Eric Bazilian/Joan Osborne and "1979" by the SMASHING PUMPKINS in tribute to 2 standards of the mid/late 90s era. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace out and stay safe in the '020s.
My wife and I saw Joan Osborne and Rusted Root in Philadelphia at the Electric Factory in 1995 on the very first date we ever had. I loved Jan's voice and music from the first time I heard her work. I was i a band that I just got back together after 20 years. Don't stop Joan, please, keep creating. "(What if God Were) One of Us" has always reminded me to be humble and treat everyone well, because everyone is deserving of love and kindness. Thanks for making the beginning of my wonderful relationship with my beautiful wife successful.
After all of these years, it still gives me the chills. Amazing back story, how it basically fell out of the writer's hands an mouth. Still one of the best songs of the 90s.
My dear father bought this record for me for a Christmas gift in the 90's. [It's] a great album, and I cherish that record because of how I received it. Cheers !
This song is sooooo special. I have an eclectic taste in music and this song struck me when it first came out. I had 3 young daughters and thought this song was clear in it's topic. We had raised our daughters without faith and this song hit home. Thanks for sharing it's origins. Keep on rockin' in the free world!
Which is terrible. You're not treating people with respect because thats how everyone should be treated regardless, you're only doing it because they could be god.
I'm christian and i believe that saying. As Jesus walked on this earth, he felt what it was to be human. An outcast, a nobody, a carpenter's boy walking from one place to another. But when he spoke, it caught everyone's attention and saw what he can actually do. A GOD among men wrapped in flesh.
Matthew 25: “Whatsoever you do for the least of my people…..so you do unto me”. But this guy that wrote this is telling us NOT to believe in a higher power. In particular he had in mind the God of Christianity when he wrote it if you listen to him at the end. He tells us we have only science. I nearly lost my breakfast. My oldest son says the same thing about science so often that I wanted to puke when I heard it roll out here.
I am Catholic and very religious and I can't for the life of me see what is offensive about this song. I always interpreted it the way Joan said - like the Good Samaritan. I never knew that people were so angry about it. P.S. She was really beautiful in that video.
EPA18 Typical overly judgmental Christian; always seeing the negative to put themselves up on a pedestal compared to the the hedonic masses. You hear that line yet ignore the “god is great” lyric that is inescapable on the quickest of listenings of this song. Never mind trying to interpret a more subtle meaning like maybe god is in all of us in the lyric that you lambast.
I think it's 'pointy' here and there. 'Nobody calling on the phone...' - letting a grownup ask kid's questions. It could be interpreted as making God a silly character. Yet that is not forbidden in the country I live in, and I think it shouldn't be, either. It is also poignant in another sense. The loneliness ascribed to the God in the song now befalls many; dethroning God has promoted the individual into a deity. Existentially adrift and ultimately alone, whereas the God I believe in is never alone, but relationship in him/herself. Relation which he wants to share.
@@EPA18 please read the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. "Whatever you do to the least of these you do to Me". People can look past a poor person they see as a slob. But if we feed and clothe that person, we are feeding and clothing Christ Himself.
Despite apparently being an atheist, this guy (Eric Bazilian) wrote or co-wrote nearly all those hit songs for The Hooters back in the 80's, like "And We Danced", "All You Zombies"' "Where Do The Children Go" (with Patty Smyth), "Johnny B", " "Satellite", and a little known song by Cindy Lauper called "Time After Time". I grew up near Philly and these guys were legendary hitmakers in their day. I never knew until I saw this that he wrote this song, too. Amazing.
@@weedywet Cyndi Lauper and Rob Hyman collaborated to write this song. Hyman sang the harmony vocal in the choruses. This song was almost an afterthought when it was recorded and it became a major hit.
Quiksilver it’s Eric playing the 50’s gold top Les Paul. Same one that plays the opening riff and stays on that stereo ‘side’ through the whole song. All the guitars were through my 61/62 copper top, top boost AC30
People getting offended by something that challenges their morals is to be expected, but I never understood people getting death threats for something like this. It's insane.
The world is uglier than you can imagine. Not to bring politics into it, but per most polls, 80% of the religious right support Trump. He could be the best president in the world and it still baffles me how the righteous would support someone that has cheated on his wives, many divorces, paid off hookers, and all of the other supposedly bad things per the bible. Hypocrites, all of em.
You hate Trump, you hate Christians, you hate right wingers... and yes, you did bring politics into it. Christianity NEVER condemns someone for their past - even a serial killer can repent and believe - yet you call people who you disapprove of 'hypocrites' using your own measure of right and wrong...
@@bechtoea Most of us only have a vague understanding of just how horrible human beings have been to one another for the entirety of our existence. And too many of us refuse to evolve.
I'm surprised some of the faithful in the church didn't cause a fuss. A song that questions whether there is or isn't a god sounds like something that wouldn't go over big in a church setting. That is of course unless the parishioners didn't understand the songs intended meaning.
Jewelz..???......Alana's Morresett????.....?Mocking ...The reality Of the truth... In car...N A T E.......Red CARnations CodeX....1st...D team WeaVer...Star 🔥 Fire 1st Devine Spark... .1st of the Prime Creaters 1st ...Ten Tin Soldier's CodeX .... Banana 2..... ( Australia...Twin....Children's Show . Banana 🍌 s. In HollaHoax Pyjamas Coming down the Stars ( Stairs /. ..)...Sleeping ....PJs ..Unawares.....Again Red Carnations CodeX .. In car Nate......Been full awake for over 38.years ..No more Sleeping. .. Pyjamas No.longer accurate.. Completely Cognosent....For at least 38 year's..... You can call me . A L.....aka. Alpha....Chevey Chase....Paul.Simon...AL= AlphA.. 1St. R u... getting the ...picture..... Suffering Greatly.....Zero.....Feed Back......100 percent awake n aware ..over 38 years..... subjected to.Dirty Tricks Done Dirt Cheap.....
I don't have religious beliefs but have always loved the song, and the sentiments expressed in this video are exactly what the world needs more of today.
I met a homeless man once who told me this was his favorite song . This was back in 1997.He told me he missed his wife and daughter that he had left.It was in train station in Poland where this man tried to survive .
That's what I thought that i'd never truely be loved or accepted but God saved me & has let know patiently his LOVE is REAL deep and deeper still with time. Heartfelt hugs, y'all & prayers that void that only God can fill finds you & the gifts of his fruit incl love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
@@DJDanceClassic It's the other way around. Usually producers and sound engineers don't get any credit. Ask anyone about the guy who wrote Thriller or Beat it and almost everyone will tell you Michael Jackson forgetting the real genius behind those songs.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." God was one of us, at least for a while. (Not trying to preach. Love the song.)
Miss Joan Osborne has such a talented beautiful perfect voice of a Angel. I love this song. The people who objected to this song do not understand. Just as the people who listen to Prince's "I Will Die For You" did not understand that he was talking about Jesus Christ. I am a Roman Catholic born and raised and devout. i do not see what is bad about this song. GOD in the form of Jesus of Nazareth did live as "one of us" for 30 years before he started his 3 year ministry. People who are ready to hear and understand the message will hear it. And those who are not will not hear it.
Wow, what an incredible story. I love the song and I love how it encourages me to ask questions which only I can answer for myself (if that makes sense). Thank you Eric and thank you Joan. Beautiful job done. 🙋♂🙋♂
It’s a great song and a great piece of writing because it make you think and wonder. And as all good writing, it “means” what it means to you. Not what it means to Joan, Prince, or even Eric. You, and everyone who has heard the lyrics. Different meanings, every one. I love it for that.
I was raised Catholic which drove the faith in God OUT of me, because Catholics are basically. do as I say not as I do....but when I heard this song I felt, well this version of God I might actually get behind. Somebody just riding the bus with me and seeing how we really live.
well if you know the truth which is Jesus Christ and that's a personal relationship with Jesus traditional Catholicism is not born again Christians at all they actually go quite a bit against the Bible there's too much idolatry that's practiced in the Bible for any kind of tree, no repeat of players no Mass none of that stuffit's against what God teaches in his Bible in his word, that's the whole reason behind the Reformation the 500 Reformation for Martin Luther why he did what he did thank God he did too and the 95 Thesesbecause they were doing things legalistically and that's not what God's word says God's authority of God comes from his word alone not from any churchand it's not about religion it's a personal relationship with Jesus Christ personally the Bible says You must be born again
I know what you mean. Basically the Bible cured me of Christianity because of its dark, primitive folklore version of God. The real god God is love: no torture and execution required to accept humanity. Cheers.
@@Great_WOK_Must_Be_Done WRONGwrong you don't know the real God gave the god of the Bible is very much a god of love but he's also a god of wrath of God of judgment a gun of torture was going to send you to hell because you sent herself to help by denying his truth right now you do not know the truth you do not know the god of the Bible the god of the Bible has to be a god of love and also is a god of wrath otherwise he wouldn't be just"""""""""" just like when a when a judge on Earth has two sentence a killer or rapist he can be loving as she can be loving but they have to be just have to do just us and be just that's the way God has but it's even higher with God he wouldn't be a just God and he would be contradicting his own character if he didn't punish the guilty so he is a god of love but he's also a god of wrath very much so you clearly do not know the god of the Bible and because of that you're going to perish in Eternal damnation the guy you're believing in is a god of your own imagination existthe god of the Bible is the one you're going to stand before and that God is very much a god of love but he's also a god of wrath and it got a judgment you will face it and there's no escaping it let that sink in
@@Great_WOK_Must_Be_Done the god of the Bible is not required to do anything he does what he wants to do he runs the show you don't see anybody could say God but you have to have the right God the god of the Bible y'all way is the only God that you will stand before the god that you will be accountable to and that God will punish the wicked he will store of his wrath upon you get to know the right. Otherwise you're going to perish anyways you're too stupid to know the truth
I like Joan's interpretation of the lyrics better than the writer's. Amazing that he could put the piece together extemporaneously that quickly. This is a great documentary of the song. I wonder if Sarah got a writing credit for, "trying to make His way home". That could be worth a few dollars.
God was one of us for 33 years or so, His message so offended us that we murdered Him......His BIGGEST message apart from loving Him with all our ,mind and soul was to love our neighbor as ourselves and its basically the core of His message.
By the way, "Kayleigh" (Marillion) was born out of another question. The girlfriend of the guitar player asked him "how can a guitar play a rhythm and a melody at once?" So he created a riff as an example, and that became their biggest hit: ruclips.net/video/NumChJYENJk/видео.html
Why am I surprised that she even got death threatened for this song??? I see people "of god" spreading hate all the time! I'm an atheist and this song gives me the chills, I love it so damn much.
You see what you want to see, and ignore the rest. If you wanted to see the ones spreading love and helping people, then you would. They far outweigh the ones you describe.
I remember sitting in my dad`s carpet shop in South Africa in 1996 and all I had to keep me from going insane was the radio, this track was on several times a day on 5FM, i`m not at all a religious person but this song still reminds me of that time, as bored as I was working there life was so good back then...
When this song cames out i have goosebumps all over with this guitar on the beginning, he composed a badass Rock n Roll guitar. Maybe god help writing him. And he write so many Guitar Riffs for The Hooters
Thank for making this. I love hearing about songs and their meaning and how it was written from the songwriters. Please keep it coming. This is fantastic and insightful!
I find it hard to believe that there were people, that would protest against this song. The song is all about love and acceptance. We have a long way to go.
God WAS and IS one of us. John1:1-5;14-18 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. Luke 24:39 "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
I love the line “would you want to see. If seeing meant you had to believe” For me, that is such a profound message. You choose for urself if you want to know and believe, but in the belief, you then take the whole bible as gospel - even when you don’t understand it.
Why are people offended of this song I have no idea. A beautiful song with such meaning to us Christian’s. Blessings to all those who made this song possible. And yes God is great, and God is good. The Lord Jesus is your best friend. Amen. 🙏👍🙏👍🙏👍🙏
I studied at Penn, and Eric & Rob came back to campus in the early 90s to give a talk... Eric signed my Physics textbook (he was a Physics major) and i still have it!... I'd be honored if some 90s fans would take a listen to my low-fi acoustic piano & vocal YT performances of IF GOD WAS ONE OF US and BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY by the Verve in tribute to 2 standards of the mid/late 90s era. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace out and stay safe in the '020s.
I always change the lyric to “Now, when God was one of us...” This song is a kind of question, to which Jesus is still the answer. Carpenter, preacher, messiah, Saviour. He was a “slob like one of us”.. knew what hard work was, looking after family, sacrificing so much for the good of others.
The magic of this song is its sheer simplicity combined with a universal identification for everyone. You never know which oyster the Pearl is going to be in until you open them all~ and it definitely was in this one. 🇬🇧
I never considered this a "message song", just a beautifully produced, great sounding, and lyrically creative track with a killer melodic hook. When I heard it I had to check the whole album out ("Relish") and it blew me away; I loved every cut on that album and that is a rarity for me. I thought that her single "Cathedrals" was equally cool. As far as I'm concerned Joan Osborne is a major talent and I wish her great success.
It’s a beautiful song lyrically- and musically... Prince covered it and he rarely covered anyone so that’s a lasting testament to how important this song is
I LOVE your channel....short bytes about the writings of songs...and they are some of my favorites, as well. Thank you for your efforts. I have subscribed, and I'll continue to share your videos.
Thanks Joan , I needed to here what you just said .I hear people trashing the idea of God , and it upsets me , but for a special reason . Ive experienced a few things in my life that cant be erased , which makes me steadfast about God . But Ive equally received anger from Christians , just like you have , for telling those stories . I fell a little less alone , hearing what you said .
God did become one of us. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1, 14
I'll never understand the need or desire to threaten people with death. All because they say/sing something, or do something, or look like something that you don't approve of. And thanks to the internet and social media, people can say the most vile and dangerous things to others, and stay anonymous. It's a real shame.
@@stonew1927 WRONG!!!!! wrong that's not the god of the Bible the god of the Bible is Yahweh god of the Bible is higher than our ways his ways are higher than our ways he is king of kings and Lord of lords you got the wrong God the god of the Bible is the window stand before you clearly don't know the truth Jesus is the truth read John 14-6
@@gn3101 Yea, you keep believing what you've been conditioned to believe. You're like a passenger on a sinking ship hanging on to the life boats that have never been released into the sea, so afraid to swim on your own and see life for what it is. You are brainwashed, closed off and close minded, so sure and secure in the chip that's been prgrammed into your brain, and on top of it the biggest hypocrite of all, condemning and judging others who don't follow YOUR version of reality, which really has nothing to do with reality. And I tell you that believing in God and a spiritual being. Stop your nonsense and cramming your religious beliefs down people's throats. It's all a lie. God bless you on your journey. I will not respond or read whatever blather you post here. Aloha
@@stonew1927 tell him I got news for you in school you this is not about being conditioned okay you're calling Jesus a liar there's all kinds of proof Jesus predicted his own death and Resurrection when he turned took on the form of a man he is always existed John 1:1 in the beginning was the word and the Word was God and the Word was with God that's John 1:1 Jesus is known as the word he's also known as The Great I Am"""" he predicted his own death and Resurrection when he had to take on the form of a man to die for your sins and mine and then he defeated deathdefeated death fulfilling over 300 prophecies alone those are historical facts not conditioned historical fact that means they happened in history OK you can deny it all you want and suppress the truth but you were going to face the god that you're denying and buy you denying him you don't have the power to deny him you can get to know him and say you don't believe him all you want it doesn't it doesn't make it less true it's still true outside of your beliefJesus is the truth he said I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh to the father but through me John 14:6 and he proved it by defeating deaththat's the whole message of the Gospel you idiot and you were going to face that guy that you deny that's the biblical God The One and Only God you're making a God in your own image of its happy with you and that God doesn't exist the only God that exists as a 1 from the Bible that's a fact whether you believe it or not is a fact God's truth is based on who he is not based on what you think his is based on who he is
God does have a name, it's Jesus. He became man and dwelt among us (like a stranger on the bus). He was waiting to return home (to heaven with the Father) and he went after he hung on the cross alone (his disciples scattered). Great song.
I love this channel! It is amazing to hear about the process behind these wonderful songs. On another note, this woman reminds me of Agnetha from Abba and this man reminds me of Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo ;)
This song always gave me chills and was such a simple beautiful message of unity Anyone who had taken offense to it.. simply didn’t get it and never will sadly
I just wrote a short story about a guy, sitting on his balcony, shuffling through his iTunes, and suddenly focusing on Joan Osborne's recording of "One Of Us". The song triggers a flood of thoughts about God, "his" existence, his meaning, how people use religion to hate each other, and ultimately, whether God is alone and unable to control his own creation. I hope I can get it published. The questions the song raises are as timely today as they were when she included it on her 90s classic album "Relish".
I have never heard this son before. Very interesting concept. I am enjoying this channel which highlights how songs often come from the weirdest of situations. I am not religious in any way so the son is not emotional but it is catchy.
Joan is right. One of Us doesn't sound like any of the other songs on Relish. Great song and Joan does the definitive version. What the song is about is up to the person who hears it.
![JOAN OSBORNE -- (WHAT IF GOD WAS) ONE OF US [REVIEW]](/img/1.gif)
I remembered this song gave me a fresh perspective when I heard it for the first time and I remembered God walked among us in Jesus.
Man, I love hearing how a song comes together like this!
I'd be honored if some 90s fans would take a listen to my low-fi acoustic piano & vocal RUclips performances of IF GOD WAS ONE OF US by Joan Osborne and BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY by the Verve in tribute to 2 classics of the mid/late 90s era. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace out and stay safe in the '020s.
❤
This is one of my fav song.
True mate. Interesting, exciting.
Eric Bazilian, author, and his wife, Sarah. All respect and admiration to you both, and for a wonderful explanation of the creative process. This song is a powerful statement of simple humility and humanity. Catchy, too! Many thanks to the both of you and Joan for the simple beauty and truth!
I'd be honored if some 90s fans would take a listen to my acoustic piano & vocal RUclips performances of IF GOD WAS ONE OF US by Eric Bazilian/Joan Osborne and "1979" by the SMASHING PUMPKINS in tribute to 2 standards of the mid/late 90s era. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace out and stay safe in the '020s.
My wife and I saw Joan Osborne and Rusted Root in Philadelphia at the Electric Factory in 1995 on the very first date we ever had. I loved Jan's voice and music from the first time I heard her work. I was i a band that I just got back together after 20 years. Don't stop Joan, please, keep creating. "(What if God Were) One of Us" has always reminded me to be humble and treat everyone well, because everyone is deserving of love and kindness. Thanks for making the beginning of my wonderful relationship with my beautiful wife successful.
After all of these years, it still gives me the chills. Amazing back story, how it basically fell out of the writer's hands an mouth. Still one of the best songs of the 90s.
Me too, chills after all these years.
word
Divine intervention….
My dear father bought this record for me for a Christmas gift in the 90's. [It's] a great album, and I cherish that record because of how I received it. Cheers !
This song is sooooo special. I have an eclectic taste in music and this song struck me when it first came out. I had 3 young daughters and thought this song was clear in it's topic. We had raised our daughters without faith and this song hit home. Thanks for sharing it's origins. Keep on rockin' in the free world!
In Hindu, is the saying: "Treat everyone you meet as if it is God in disguise, because you never know."
Hebrews 13 : 2 Be not forgetful not to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.
@@lapalad -nice., i am constantly amazed that some good words were left in the Bible and not edited out, though most rarely notice.
Which is terrible. You're not treating people with respect because thats how everyone should be treated regardless, you're only doing it because they could be god.
I'm christian and i believe that saying. As Jesus walked on this earth, he felt what it was to be human. An outcast, a nobody, a carpenter's boy walking from one place to another. But when he spoke, it caught everyone's attention and saw what he can actually do. A GOD among men wrapped in flesh.
Matthew 25: “Whatsoever you do for the least of my people…..so you do unto me”. But this guy that wrote this is telling us NOT to believe in a higher power. In particular he had in mind the God of Christianity when he wrote it if you listen to him at the end. He tells us we have only science. I nearly lost my breakfast. My oldest son says the same thing about science so often that I wanted to puke when I heard it roll out here.
I am Catholic and very religious and I can't for the life of me see what is offensive about this song. I always interpreted it the way Joan said - like the Good Samaritan. I never knew that people were so angry about it. P.S. She was really beautiful in that video.
This song is HIGHLY offensive, it trivializes and minimalizes G-d, comparing Him to a slob. I hated this song from the minute it was on the radio.
My catholic grandma was confused by it at the time, but my dad and I explained it to her.
EPA18 Typical overly judgmental Christian; always seeing the negative to put themselves up on a pedestal compared to the the hedonic masses. You hear that line yet ignore the “god is great” lyric that is inescapable on the quickest of listenings of this song. Never mind trying to interpret a more subtle meaning like maybe god is in all of us in the lyric that you lambast.
I think it's 'pointy' here and there. 'Nobody calling on the phone...' - letting a grownup ask kid's questions. It could be interpreted as making God a silly character. Yet that is not forbidden in the country I live in, and I think it shouldn't be, either.
It is also poignant in another sense. The loneliness ascribed to the God in the song now befalls many; dethroning God has promoted the individual into a deity. Existentially adrift and ultimately alone, whereas the God I believe in is never alone, but relationship in him/herself. Relation which he wants to share.
@@EPA18 please read the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. "Whatever you do to the least of these you do to Me". People can look past a poor person they see as a slob. But if we feed and clothe that person, we are feeding and clothing Christ Himself.
Despite apparently being an atheist, this guy (Eric Bazilian) wrote or co-wrote nearly all those hit songs for The Hooters back in the 80's, like "And We Danced", "All You Zombies"' "Where Do The Children Go" (with Patty Smyth), "Johnny B", " "Satellite", and a little known song by Cindy Lauper called "Time After Time". I grew up near Philly and these guys were legendary hitmakers in their day. I never knew until I saw this that he wrote this song, too. Amazing.
NO. The OTHER Hooter, Rob Hyman wrote Time After Time.
@@weedywet yep.
@@weedywet Cyndi Lauper and Rob Hyman collaborated to write this song. Hyman sang the harmony vocal in the choruses. This song was almost an afterthought when it was recorded and it became a major hit.
murray1575 hmmm sort of., not exactly. I know. I recorded it. and One Of Us
Quiksilver it’s Eric playing the 50’s gold top Les Paul. Same one that plays the opening riff and stays on that stereo ‘side’ through the whole song. All the guitars were through my 61/62 copper top, top boost AC30
People getting offended by something that challenges their morals is to be expected, but I never understood people getting death threats for something like this. It's insane.
The world is uglier than you can imagine. Not to bring politics into it, but per most polls, 80% of the religious right support Trump. He could be the best president in the world and it still baffles me how the righteous would support someone that has cheated on his wives, many divorces, paid off hookers, and all of the other supposedly bad things per the bible. Hypocrites, all of em.
You hate Trump, you hate Christians, you hate right wingers... and yes, you did bring politics into it. Christianity NEVER condemns someone for their past - even a serial killer can repent and believe - yet
you call people who you disapprove of 'hypocrites' using your own measure of right and wrong...
@@AnnabelleJARankin "Christianity never condemns someone for their past."
No, but CHRISTIANS do.
@@bechtoea Most of us only have a vague understanding of just how horrible human beings have been to one another for the entirety of our existence. And too many of us refuse to evolve.
@@gabe_s_videos Wise words. Most of the evil in this world has been caused by the very religions that are supposed to save us.
I am an american christian from tennessee, raised a Baptist I seriously doubt one of my fellow christians had any issue with the lyrics of this song.
That is so true ,It is the media that doesn't want God mentioned at all ever!
This song defines my childhood and adolescence. The last sentence of the chorus “trying to make his way home” sums up the feels of the song.
I’m sorry
My daughter sang this at church when she was a young teen. And I was a proud mama!
I'm surprised some of the faithful in the church didn't cause a fuss. A song that questions whether there is or isn't a god sounds like something that wouldn't go over big in a church setting. That is of course unless the parishioners didn't understand the songs intended meaning.
Jewelz..???......Alana's Morresett????.....?Mocking ...The reality Of the truth...
In car...N A T E.......Red CARnations CodeX....1st...D team WeaVer...Star 🔥 Fire 1st Devine Spark...
.1st of the Prime Creaters 1st ...Ten Tin Soldier's CodeX .... Banana 2.....
( Australia...Twin....Children's Show . Banana 🍌 s. In HollaHoax Pyjamas Coming down the Stars ( Stairs /. ..)...Sleeping ....PJs ..Unawares.....Again Red Carnations CodeX ..
In car Nate......Been full awake for over 38.years ..No more Sleeping.
.. Pyjamas No.longer accurate.. Completely Cognosent....For at least 38 year's.....
You can call me . A L.....aka. Alpha....Chevey Chase....Paul.Simon...AL= AlphA..
1St.
R u... getting the ...picture..... Suffering Greatly.....Zero.....Feed Back......100 percent awake n aware ..over 38 years..... subjected to.Dirty Tricks
Done Dirt Cheap.....
They made a much more powerfull song than they intended thats for sure.
Its a masterpiece.
Such a powerfull song and such a powerfull message!
100%
Why do you think they didn't intend as much depth? It sounds like they both put a lot of thought and feeling into it.
I don't have religious beliefs but have always loved the song, and the sentiments expressed in this video are exactly what the world needs more of today.
But God wants is to share love each other
One of my favorite songs ever. It requires you to reexamine how you treat other people.
Not only is this story amazing. This piece was so well edited. You guys did an amazing job with this one.
I met a homeless man once who told me this was his favorite song . This was back in 1997.He told me he missed his wife and daughter that he had left.It was in train station in Poland where this man tried to survive .
He just told you a story to try to score a few bucks
Awesome story about an awesome song.
@N The bible states that God has a feminine side.
@@ThreeFontStreet Are you speaking of your comment or mine? If it was mine, I will say...what a generic reply. If it was not then...never mind.
The Hooters are one of the most talented bands of the past 40 years. Love all the works of Eric & Rob.
Lovely to see Joan Osborne talking about this. It's one of those RUclips music videos I go back to every so often.. it's a real brain flea of a song!
Joan is such a great singer, I wish she had more hits.
Always liked his song. My band is now doing this. No other band in Georgia is doing this...makes us stand out...Thanks for the Song !!
I don’t know why but this has made me cry.. the feeling of love, something I’ll never feel
That's what I thought that i'd never truely be loved or accepted but God saved me & has let know patiently his LOVE is REAL deep and deeper still with time. Heartfelt hugs, y'all & prayers that void that only God can fill finds you & the gifts of his fruit incl love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
@@ELITAH7 "Amen"
So basically he wanted to impress on his girlfriend and ended up writing a huge hit in a couple of hours.
Motivation and inspiration rolled into one.
i'd say mission accomplished.
and even though she had a major lyrical contribution he did not give her any credit!
@@DJDanceClassic It's the other way around. Usually producers and sound engineers don't get any credit. Ask anyone about the guy who wrote Thriller or Beat it and almost everyone will tell you Michael Jackson forgetting the real genius behind those songs.
@@DJDanceClassic Maybe he did but it didn't make the final edit.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
God was one of us, at least for a while.
(Not trying to preach. Love the song.)
I LOVE THIS SONG. Thank you so much you two. And thank God too I guess.
Miss Joan Osborne has such a talented beautiful perfect voice of a Angel. I love this song. The people who objected to this song do not understand. Just as the people who listen to Prince's "I Will Die For You" did not understand that he was talking about Jesus Christ. I am a Roman Catholic born and raised and devout. i do not see what is bad about this song. GOD in the form of Jesus of Nazareth did live as "one of us" for 30 years before he started his 3 year ministry. People who are ready to hear and understand the message will hear it. And those who are not will not hear it.
Wow, what an incredible story. I love the song and I love how it encourages me to ask questions which only I can answer for myself (if that makes sense). Thank you Eric and thank you Joan. Beautiful job done. 🙋♂🙋♂
It’s a great song and a great piece of writing because it make you think and wonder. And as all good writing, it “means” what it means to you. Not what it means to Joan, Prince, or even Eric. You, and everyone who has heard the lyrics. Different meanings, every one. I love it for that.
Was nominated for the Grammy Record of the Year. Should have won. Great performance by Joan.
It always seems the very best songs come together very fast! A gift from above if you will.
yeah from god wink xD
I won't 😅
Disease is not from God. Take a look in the mirror and there's your answer.
@@cynthiameans heyyyyyyyy, no need to get personal 🙂
Yup
I was 8 yrs old in 1995 and I was obsessed with this song and Joan was gorgeous in this video
A true inspiration from God... thank you for this amazing song!
Joan is such a talent, I wanted a damn nose ring after seeing that video. God bless the 90’s
I was raised Catholic which drove the faith in God OUT of me, because Catholics are basically. do as I say not as I do....but when I heard this song I felt, well this version of God I might actually get behind. Somebody just riding the bus with me and seeing how we really live.
well if you know the truth which is Jesus Christ and that's a personal relationship with Jesus traditional Catholicism is not born again Christians at all they actually go quite a bit against the Bible there's too much idolatry that's practiced in the Bible for any kind of tree, no repeat of players no Mass none of that stuffit's against what God teaches in his Bible in his word, that's the whole reason behind the Reformation the 500 Reformation for Martin Luther why he did what he did thank God he did too and the 95 Thesesbecause they were doing things legalistically and that's not what God's word says God's authority of God comes from his word alone not from any churchand it's not about religion it's a personal relationship with Jesus Christ personally the Bible says You must be born again
I know what you mean. Basically the Bible cured me of Christianity because of its dark, primitive folklore version of God. The real god God is love: no torture and execution required to accept humanity. Cheers.
@@Great_WOK_Must_Be_Done WRONGwrong you don't know the real God gave the god of the Bible is very much a god of love but he's also a god of wrath of God of judgment a gun of torture was going to send you to hell because you sent herself to help by denying his truth right now you do not know the truth you do not know the god of the Bible the god of the Bible has to be a god of love and also is a god of wrath otherwise he wouldn't be just"""""""""" just like when a when a judge on Earth has two sentence a killer or rapist he can be loving as she can be loving but they have to be just have to do just us and be just that's the way God has but it's even higher with God he wouldn't be a just God and he would be contradicting his own character if he didn't punish the guilty so he is a god of love but he's also a god of wrath very much so you clearly do not know the god of the Bible and because of that you're going to perish in Eternal damnation the guy you're believing in is a god of your own imagination existthe god of the Bible is the one you're going to stand before and that God is very much a god of love but he's also a god of wrath and it got a judgment you will face it and there's no escaping it let that sink in
@@Great_WOK_Must_Be_Done the god of the Bible is not required to do anything he does what he wants to do he runs the show you don't see anybody could say God but you have to have the right God the god of the Bible y'all way is the only God that you will stand before the god that you will be accountable to and that God will punish the wicked he will store of his wrath upon you get to know the right. Otherwise you're going to perish anyways you're too stupid to know the truth
@@gn3101 Blah, blah, blah.
Great song! And even covered by Prince who I admire big time. Double great!!
I like Joan's interpretation of the lyrics better than the writer's. Amazing that he could put the piece together extemporaneously that quickly. This is a great documentary of the song. I wonder if Sarah got a writing credit for, "trying to make His way home". That could be worth a few dollars.
I also like Joan's interpretation WAY more than the writer's. His is stupid.
@@christopherdieudonne - ? The writer's interpretation is the only valid interpretation. lol
She should. It made the song.
Christopher Dieudonné He wrote the damn song
@@OMGWTFLOLSMH no writer actually says that.
Perfect record. It is as much about the growling guitars and drumming as it is the message. The Hooters were brilliant too.
God was one of us for 33 years or so, His message so offended us that we murdered Him......His BIGGEST message apart from loving Him with all our ,mind and soul was to love our neighbor as ourselves and its basically the core of His message.
Roman propaganda.
Behave, you will get your reward in heaven.
Where the fuck was God at Auschwitz?
Very interesting back story. Bet he is glad he was asked about 4 track recording lol
By the way, "Kayleigh" (Marillion) was born out of another question. The girlfriend of the guitar player asked him "how can a guitar play a rhythm and a melody at once?" So he created a riff as an example, and that became their biggest hit: ruclips.net/video/NumChJYENJk/видео.html
@@curbowman Interesting to know, thanks. They are a cute couple.
Why am I surprised that she even got death threatened for this song??? I see people "of god" spreading hate all the time! I'm an atheist and this song gives me the chills, I love it so damn much.
Think of Jesus as the one of us ; he was he wants you in his heaven !
You see what you want to see, and ignore the rest. If you wanted to see the ones spreading love and helping people, then you would. They far outweigh the ones you describe.
Yes, spot on it doesn't make sense as Jesus DID walk the Earth as 1 of us
Great job Eric.
I'm an atheist but I love this song.
I wish you rainbows.
Prince recorded this song. It's on his album, Emancipation, released in 1996 :)
I remember sitting in my dad`s carpet shop in South Africa in 1996 and all I had to keep me from going insane was the radio, this track was on several times a day on 5FM, i`m not at all a religious person but this song still reminds me of that time, as bored as I was working there life was so good back then...
When this song cames out i have goosebumps all over with this guitar on the beginning, he composed a badass Rock n Roll guitar. Maybe god help writing him. And he write so many Guitar Riffs for The Hooters
"be excellent to each other" Yeah, 'nuff said
Thank for making this. I love hearing about songs and their meaning and how it was written from the songwriters. Please keep it coming. This is fantastic and insightful!
Thank you!
I completely agree with Joan. When listening to this song back in the 90's I always considered it an analogy to the Bible's Good Samaritan story
This song will never go out of style.
I find it hard to believe that there were people, that would protest against this song. The song is all about love and acceptance. We have a long way to go.
God WAS and IS one of us.
John1:1-5;14-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”
16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
Luke 24:39
"See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
I love the line “would you want to see. If seeing meant you had to believe”
For me, that is such a profound message. You choose for urself if you want to know and believe, but in the belief, you then take the whole bible as gospel - even when you don’t understand it.
Astonishing origin story. Thank you for sharing. Great interviews. And of course, a beautiful composition.
i love the song. its amazing. and joan Osbourne does a great job singing .
Why are people offended of this song I have no idea. A beautiful song with such meaning to us Christian’s. Blessings to all those who made this song possible. And yes God is great, and God is good. The Lord Jesus is your best friend. Amen. 🙏👍🙏👍🙏👍🙏
Guitar rules this song😊
I studied at Penn, and Eric & Rob came back to campus in the early 90s to give a talk... Eric signed my Physics textbook (he was a Physics major) and i still have it!... I'd be honored if some 90s fans would take a listen to my low-fi acoustic piano & vocal YT performances of IF GOD WAS ONE OF US and BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY by the Verve in tribute to 2 standards of the mid/late 90s era. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace out and stay safe in the '020s.
I always change the lyric to “Now, when God was one of us...” This song is a kind of question, to which Jesus is still the answer. Carpenter, preacher, messiah, Saviour. He was a “slob like one of us”.. knew what hard work was, looking after family, sacrificing so much for the good of others.
Maybe be YOUR G-d is a slob, but we don't have such a concept, and the song is highly offensive.
@@EPA18 stop it !
I remember this song, it brings me memories! Thanks for sharing
Hooter founder Eric Bazilian was a Huge part of this songs success he is a Brilliant Musician!
Joan is so incredibly intelligent and articulate.......I hold her in a very high regard...........
I can totally hear the Crash Test Dummies influence when he sings it!
Me also
Mmmmmm mmmmm mmeee too
The magic of this song is its sheer simplicity combined with a universal identification for everyone. You never know which oyster the Pearl is going to be in until you open them all~ and it definitely was in this one. 🇬🇧
One of the best songs ever written.
"What would you ask if you had just one question?" The most profound pop song lyric ever written.
I had the biggest crush on Joan Osborne, she's still beautiful!
You're not the only one!! I thought she was a cutie!!
I'm not a big fan of face jewelry, but, yeah, she was hot.
Not everyone can rock a perm
Wonderfull song, i love it since 1995. Thank You!
I never considered this a "message song", just a beautifully produced, great sounding, and lyrically creative track with a killer melodic hook. When I heard it I had to check the whole album out ("Relish") and it blew me away; I loved every cut on that album and that is a rarity for me. I thought that her single "Cathedrals" was equally cool. As far as I'm concerned Joan Osborne is a major talent and I wish her great success.
Absolutely beautiful! We all come from the same stuff! We are all the same!
It’s a beautiful song lyrically- and musically... Prince covered it and he rarely covered anyone so that’s a lasting testament to how important this song is
Prince... WROTE THIS SONG! Joan covered Prince.
I had no idea the dude from Hooters wrote this song. What a freaking amazing songwriter.
MASSIVE SONG ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Don’t you miss when radio had integrity before Clear Channel bought all the radios and made them play dumbed down music?!
Amazing story, about such a great song. Thanks for sharing the story of how it came about. You sure have a lot of talent !
That demo sounded great for a four track cassette recording.
The greatest songs have magically appeared just like this
i literally just said he sounds like crash test dummies and then he said it
An incredible piece of art!
I LOVE your channel....short bytes about the writings of songs...and they are some of my favorites, as well. Thank you for your efforts. I have subscribed, and I'll continue to share your videos.
Thanks Joan , I needed to here what you just said .I hear people trashing the idea of God , and it upsets me , but for a special reason . Ive experienced a few things in my life that cant be erased , which makes me steadfast about God . But Ive equally received anger from Christians , just like you have , for telling those stories . I fell a little less alone , hearing what you said .
GREAT STORY...GOD SPOKE TO HIM...LOVE THE SONG...JOAN WAS GREAT
God did become one of us. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1, 14
I always wondered why the god of the bible sanctioned slavery yet made a big fuss about people eating shellfish and wearing mixed fabrics.
I'll never understand the need or desire to threaten people with death. All because they say/sing something, or do something, or look like something that you don't approve of. And thanks to the internet and social media, people can say the most vile and dangerous things to others, and stay anonymous. It's a real shame.
Thank God for RUclips!
God was one of us...and we crucified Him.
Yes in the form of Jesus Christ his son who's also the second person of the Trinity and also God
Except God never was just "one" of us. God has always been "all" of us, including the animals and the trees.
@@stonew1927 WRONG!!!!! wrong that's not the god of the Bible the god of the Bible is Yahweh god of the Bible is higher than our ways his ways are higher than our ways he is king of kings and Lord of lords you got the wrong God the god of the Bible is the window stand before you clearly don't know the truth Jesus is the truth read John 14-6
@@gn3101 Yea, you keep believing what you've been conditioned to believe. You're like a passenger on a sinking ship hanging on to the life boats that have never been released into the sea, so afraid to swim on your own and see life for what it is. You are brainwashed, closed off and close minded, so sure and secure in the chip that's been prgrammed into your brain, and on top of it the biggest hypocrite of all, condemning and judging others who don't follow YOUR version of reality, which really has nothing to do with reality. And I tell you that believing in God and a spiritual being. Stop your nonsense and cramming your religious beliefs down people's throats. It's all a lie. God bless you on your journey. I will not respond or read whatever blather you post here. Aloha
@@stonew1927 tell him I got news for you in school you this is not about being conditioned okay you're calling Jesus a liar there's all kinds of proof Jesus predicted his own death and Resurrection when he turned took on the form of a man he is always existed John 1:1 in the beginning was the word and the Word was God and the Word was with God that's John 1:1 Jesus is known as the word he's also known as The Great I Am"""" he predicted his own death and Resurrection when he had to take on the form of a man to die for your sins and mine and then he defeated deathdefeated death fulfilling over 300 prophecies alone those are historical facts not conditioned historical fact that means they happened in history OK you can deny it all you want and suppress the truth but you were going to face the god that you're denying and buy you denying him you don't have the power to deny him you can get to know him and say you don't believe him all you want it doesn't it doesn't make it less true it's still true outside of your beliefJesus is the truth he said I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh to the father but through me John 14:6 and he proved it by defeating deaththat's the whole message of the Gospel you idiot and you were going to face that guy that you deny that's the biblical God The One and Only God you're making a God in your own image of its happy with you and that God doesn't exist the only God that exists as a 1 from the Bible that's a fact whether you believe it or not is a fact God's truth is based on who he is not based on what you think his is based on who he is
I replayed your songs all the time!
God does have a name, it's Jesus.
He became man and dwelt among us (like a stranger on the bus). He was waiting to return home (to heaven with the Father) and he went after he hung on the cross alone (his disciples scattered). Great song.
I first thought the song was insulting to God because of the slob reference. I didn't realize it is rhetorical and thought provoking instead.
You were one of the ones that protested against her? Keep moving on.
I bought this album because I loved the Hooters... great songwriting.
I love this channel! It is amazing to hear about the process behind these wonderful songs. On another note, this woman reminds me of Agnetha from Abba and this man reminds me of Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo ;)
Eric Bazilian was a member of the 1980s band The Hooters. They had several hits and members have written hits for others. This being one of them. :)
Jim Cuddy came to mind immediately.
Sarah is also Swedish.
Yes! I kept looking at him like I knew him from something else but I couldn't put my finger on it. Jim Cuddy Clone 100%.
Another great story, thank you guys!
A brilliant song. Thank you for writing it.
Still in my music files. 🎶 Always loved and still love this song.
This song always gave me chills and was such a simple beautiful message of unity
Anyone who had taken offense to it.. simply didn’t get it and never will sadly
I just wrote a short story about a guy, sitting on his balcony, shuffling through his iTunes, and suddenly focusing on Joan Osborne's recording of "One Of Us". The song triggers a flood of thoughts about God, "his" existence, his meaning, how people use religion to hate each other, and ultimately, whether God is alone and unable to control his own creation.
I hope I can get it published. The questions the song raises are as timely today as they were when she included it on her 90s classic album "Relish".
"Joan of Arcadia" brought me here...and keeps me here. From a less in-your-face-you're-wrong/fake time.
Very cool vid about one of my all time favorite songs
My favorite song 90's
I have never heard this son before. Very interesting concept. I am enjoying this channel which highlights how songs often come from the weirdest of situations. I am not religious in any way so the son is not emotional but it is catchy.
This song will last forever!!!
Forever is a long time. Eventually everything will turn to dust and disappear, including this song.
Joan is right. One of Us doesn't sound like any of the other songs on Relish. Great song and Joan does the definitive version. What the song is about is up to the person who hears it.