City Boy - Turn On To Jesus

What if...? This was the first lyrics for 5.7.0.5! Would it had been a hit if the record label hadn't stopped it?

Category:

Music

Tags:

• city
• boy
• cityboy
• turn
• on
• to
• jesus
• slamer
• 5705
• 70s
• cool
• lunt
• mason
• ward
• thomas
• dunn

[rs4eve]

this was the original version of the song...i hold it in my hand and thought jesus....it cant be a hit....i didnt buy it

a month later i run to the store to by 5.7.0.5...the same song.....i wonder how much the original version would be worth today...

[Vaffanura]

I bought "Turn On To Jesus" for about $10 /€7 two years ago so there's probably not too expensive if you find a copy. They pop up on Ebay now and then.

[Vaffanura]

Good news for City Boy fans! The first four albums are due for re-release in August 2008! Don't miss this opportunity!

[itsthatguyphil]

I had made a previous comment, and now stand corrected. Apparently this was the original lyrical content, BUT it was not "religious." A band interview stated it was about being in Kansas at some "Christian" strip bar (for real, back then) - with topless waitresses serving, while "Jesus music" was playing on the jukebox. The song was changed to "5705" to not offend sensitive types. Funny stuff.

[treechris007]

the drummer is my father in laws dad

[MrProster]

@paceman7655 Jesus saves

[rouens]

@itsthatguyphil well i think it was changed so the song would sell! in the pop market! so the story goes...

[TheWooWha]

Max Thomas (keyboards): "Lol and Steve had written “Turn on to Jesus” and when Polygram heard the early mixes of the album in the spring of ’78, they loved the tune, said it was very commercial, but pointed out that having “Jesus” in the title would cause all sorts of problems with radio stations both in the UK and in the USA."

Max Thomas seems to be deeply religious. Excluding this song (if it is not a joke), City Boy was a fantastic band. My favorite album is "It's personal". Heavyweight etc.

[Jimmy61stl]

I doubt that there was a video made with the original version.

Listen to "5705," at the beginning the sound of the telephone being dialed, it's the telephone number to Mercury records in touch tone. Could be they were getting some revenge for the label making them change the song...?

The next two releases were on Atlantic...hmm

[paceman7655]

JESUS SUCKS,

[lettersinpencil]

LOL.. no one has mentioned that this is just the 5705 video with the song's first version "Turn On To Jesus" as audio track..

I agree with Vaffanura, TOTJ used to be up for grabs on ebay, and usually inexpensive (maybe people didn't know what they had there?)

[Microsloth]

Interesting song.

This band's style is similar to ELO.

[Afghanen]

ok, thanks for info. Always thought it was some jewish thing..