"Don't Think Jesus" is a song recorded by American country music singer Morgan Wallen. It was released on April 15, 2022, through Big Loud and Republic. The song was written by Jessi Alexander, Chase McGill and Mark Holman, and produced by Joey Moi.

"Don't Think Jesus"
Promotional single by Morgan Wallen
from the album One Thing at a Time
ReleasedApril 15, 2022 (2022-04-15)
GenreCountry[1]
Length3:46
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Jessi Alexander
  • Chase McGill
  • Mark Holman
Producer(s)Joey Moi
Morgan Wallen singles chronology
"Wasted on You"
(2022)
"Don't Think Jesus"
(2022)
"You Proof"
(2022)
Lyric video
"Don't Think Jesus" on YouTube

Background and composition

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The song came about as early as October 2021, when Wallen took to his socials to perform an acoustic version of the song.[1] Wallen said that the track brought him to tears upon first hearing it.[2] Despite not having been written by the singer, it was said to be one of his personal songs yet. However, it was written with the singer in mind.[3] About the creation of the song, he revealed, "some of my friends sent me a song today…they wrote the song with me on their mind and it made me cry in the truck".[4] Lyrically, the song describes the story of a boy turning to Jesus after having committed several shameful actions.[2] He ultimately announced the song to be his next single in April 2022, deliberately choosing to drop on Good Friday in honor of the Easter weekend.[5][6] The song was described as a "serious and introspective ballad that takes listener's through an unnamed boy's thoughts on life".[7]

Critical reception

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Wes Langeler of Whiskey Riff said that the track "might just be the most meaningful song he's ever released".[2] Clayton Edwards at Outsider opined that the tale of the song "probably sounds familiar to Morgan Wallen fans". He saw the "slow, stripped-down, guitar-driven" track as a return to "the songs that launched Morgan Wallen to fame".[3]

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[16] Gold 40,000
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Morgan Wallen Set To Release New Song "Don't Think Jesus"". Country Swag. April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Langeler, Wes (April 15, 2022). "Morgan Wallen Finds Forgiveness In Emotional New Song, "Don't Think Jesus"". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Edwards, Clayton (April 15, 2022). "Morgan Wallen Sends Up a Prayer With New Song 'Don't Think Jesus'". Outsider. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  4. ^ Ebmeyer, Jonathan (October 15, 2021). "Morgan Wallen shows off grace-filled, new track "Don't Think Jesus"". Strings and Spurs. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "Listen: Morgan Wallen Releases Deeply Personal New Song "Don't Think Jesus"". Music Mayhem. April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  6. ^ "Morgan Wallen Finds Redemption in 'Don't Think Jesus' [Listen]". Everything Nash. April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  7. ^ Smith, Hannah (April 18, 2022). "Morgan Wallen "Don't Think Jesus" Song Review". The Nash News. Retrieved April 24, 2022.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Morgan Wallen Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  9. ^ "Morgan Wallen Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  10. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "Morgan Wallen Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  12. ^ "Morgan Wallen Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  13. ^ "Morgan Wallen Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  14. ^ "Digital Song Sales – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  15. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  16. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Morgan Wallen – Don't Think Jesus". Music Canada. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – Morgan Wallen – Don't Think Jesus". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 20, 2023.