This Jesus Must Die
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Victor Brox, Brian Keith
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PRIEST ONE Good Caiaphas, the council waits for you. The Pharisees and priests are here for you. CAIAPHAS Ah gentlemen, you know why we are here. We've not much time, and quite a problem here MOB (outside) Hosanna! Superstar! Hosanna! Superstar! Hosanna! Superstar! Hosanna! Superstar! ANNAS Listen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street! A trick or two with lepers, and the whole town's on its feet. ALL (inside) He is dangerous! MOB (outside) Jesus Christ Superstar! ALL (inside) He is dangerous! MOB (outside) Tell us that you're who they say you are. PRIEST TWO The man is in town right now to whip up some support. PRIEST THREE A rabble rousing mission that I think we must abort. ALL (inside) He is dangerous! MOB (outside) Jesus Christ Superstar! ALL (inside) He is dangerous! PRIEST TWO Look Caiaphas, they're right outside our yard. PRIEST THREE Quick Caiaphas, go call the Roman guard. CAIAPHAS No, wait! We need a more permanent solution to our problem. ANNAS What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth? Miracle wonderman, hero of fools. PRIEST THREE No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans. CAIAPHAS One thing I'll say for him -- Jesus is cool. ANNAS We dare not leave him to his own devices. His half-witted fans will get out of control. PRIESTS But how can we stop him? His glamour increases By leaps every moment; he's top of the poll. CAIAPHAS I see bad things arising. The crowd crown him king; which the Romans would ban. I see blood and destruction, Our elimination because of one man. Blood and destruction because of one man. ALL (inside) Because, because, because of one man. CAIAPHAS Our elimination because of one man. ALL (inside) Because, because, because of one, 'cause of one, 'cause of one man. PRIEST THREE What then to do about this Jesus-mania? ANNAS How do we deal with a carpenter king? PRIESTS Where do we start with a man who is bigger Than John was when John did his baptism thing? CAIAPHAS Fools, you have no perception! The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high! We must crush him completely, So like John before him, this Jesus must die. For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die. ALL (inside) Must die, must die, this Jesus must die. CAIAPHAS So like John before him, this Jesus must die. ALL (inside) Must die, must die, this Jesus must, Jesus must, Jesus must die!
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Musical Composition"This Jesus Must Die" is a song by Andrew Lloyd Webber, an iconic English composer known for his musical theater. Webber composed this song for the 1970 rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar."
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Lyrics WriterThe lyrics for "This Jesus Must Die" were written by Tim Rice who was a long-term partner for Webber and contributed to many successful musical theatre productions together.
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Song ContextThis song takes place in the biblical narrative when the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Council in ancient Jerusalem, plots to kill Jesus. It expresses their fear of the potential social unrest that Jesus's teachings could incite.
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Song Style"This Jesus Must Die" falls under the genre of rock opera, a fusion of rock music and opera. It contains characteristics of both genres while maintaining a theatrical presentation.
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Musical EnsembleThis song comprises several characters, notably Caiaphas and Annas, who are the high priests of the Sanhedrin. There is also a chorus of priests singing in the background.
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Album SuccessThe song helps to set the stage for the album's immensely successful run, with "Jesus Christ Superstar" reaching number one on the Billboard chart and staying there for over two months, showing the popularity of "This Jesus Must Die".
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Movie Inclusion"This Jesus Must Die" is also a part of the 1973 film adaptation of "Jesus Christ Superstar". Despite the movie's initial controversial reception, it has since gained cult status and been recognized for its importance to musical cinema.
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Theater AdaptationsThe song has been performed in numerous theater productions of "Jesus Christ Superstar", showing the enduring appeal and the impactful story setting role it holds within the opera.
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Music StructureThe song switches between different characters, using distinct musical motifs to represent different speakers, a testament to Webber's compositional skills.
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Cultural Impact"This Jesus Must Die" portrays the conflict between religious authorities and Jesus, causing it to be a subject of discussion and criticism. Despite this, it continues to be a well-known song from one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most famous works.
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Citation
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