On Monday night, country music hit-maker Kenny Chesney made a rare late night television appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. The Tennessee native debuted his previously never-performed track “Jesus and Elvis” from his Grammy-nominated Cosmic Hallelujah album and also sat down for an interview with the host.
“So much has happened to us in the last four months,” Chesney shared prior to his time on the program, “and it all just kept coming. I know I’ve not done or said anything about ‘Live from No Shoes Nation,’ to talk about the fans who created this place without borders – and they are the reason for this album! When Seth asked us to come do the show, it seemed like the perfect way to celebrate the Grammy nomination, finally get to play ‘Jesus and Elvis’ and talk about the Love for Love City Foundation.”
“Obviously, anyone who knows me knows I’m supposed to be on a beach right about now. But to share everything that’s happened with the Virgin Islands, the animal rescue, this amazing live record the fans really created, well, I can endure some snow for that!” he humorously added.
“People who know me also know I prefer to let the songs do the talking,” he quipped. “So, sitting on the couch like this is a little unusual. But since I’ve had my head down on a couple projects, working with the most amazing people on helping all my friends in the islands, it seemed like a way to catch everyone up on everything that’s been going on and say ‘thank you’ to the people who’ve been part of the most amazing decade of music, life, love and everything in between.”
“Jesus and Elvis” was inspired by Lala’s Little Nugget, an Austin tavern where the Christmas decorations stay up all year to honor the owner’s son who perished in the Vietnam War.
“It’s not a Christmas song, per se,” Chesney says. “But it sure is a good reminder for people how many struggle this time of year. Loss, memories, promises made… and the way we honor those things. The song blew me away when I heard it, and then when I heard the story about the place and the people there, it felt exactly the same as the places where I hang out: a lot of heart and soul, friends and not forgetting. So for everyone with something pulling at their heart this Christmas, this ‘Jesus and Elvis’ is for you…”
Watch Kenny’s touching live performance of “Jesus and Elvis” below!
During his interview, Chesney opened up about his about his Grammy-nominated album, his unique pre-show tradition that helps him connect with his fans, his charity Love for Love City, and being totally rejected by a girl he wrote a song for back in college.
“Jesus and Elvis” Lyrics
Jesus and Elvis, painted on velvet
Hanging at the bar here every night
It’s good to be back again, oh, me and my old friends
‘Neath the neon cross and a string of Christmas lights
Lola built this joint in sixty-seven
And her boy went out to fight on Christmas eve
In a war nobody won, she lost her only son
Now everything he loved is what you see
Jesus and Elvis, painted on velvet
Hanging at the bar here every night
It’s good to be back again, oh, me and my old friends
‘Neath the neon cross and a string of Christmas lights
Mama told them Jesus loves a sinner
His daddy said that music saved his soul
Between the rockers and the band
It’s a fitting promise land
For the kings of kings and the king of rock and roll
Jesus and Elvis, painted on velvet
Hanging at the bar here every night
It’s good to be back again, oh, me and my old friends
‘Neath the neon cross and a string of Christmas lights
So if you need a shot of whiskey and redemption
Where the delta meets the sea of Galilee
Get washed in the blood of the Mississippi mud
Come all you non-believers and you’ll see
Jesus and Elvis, painted on velvet
Hanging at the bar here every night
It’s good to be back again, oh, me and my old friends
‘Neath the neon cross and a string of Christmas lights
It’s good to be back again, oh, me and my old friends
‘Neath the neon cross and a string of Christmas lights
‘Neath the neon cross and a string of Christmas lights
By and by, Lord, by and by
Be sure to share this live performance and insightful interview with other Kenny Chesney fans!
