Theatre
Jesus Christ Superstar By Numbers: Every song in the stage musical
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s celebrated rock opera is back in London, with Eurovision’s holiest son in the titular role. That’s right – Sam Ryder plays Jesus, lending the vocals that charmed Europe to one of musical theatre’s most complex and controversial roles. Back in the seventies, Jesus Christ Superstar’s eight-year run saw it secure the record for longest-running West End musical, until it was dethroned by another Lloyd Webber musical, Cats, in 1989. (That record is, of course, now held by another Lloyd Webber show, with The Phantom of the Opera having just celebrated its 40th year).
Heading the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to see the show? Here’s everything you need to know about its electric guitar-powered soundtrack. Read on for our breakdown of every song in Jesus Christ Superstar.
‘Heaven On Their Minds’
The show opens with Judas, one of the twelve apostles, expressing his concern that Jesus is growing too influential. He warns Jesus that if he continues to behave as the son of God, people will expect too much from him, and will then want to destroy him and his followers when they’re disappointed. He particularly fears the retaliation of the Roman Empire. Despite the show’s title, Judas will continue to be our central narrator.
Key lyric: “Listen Jesus to the warning I give/Please remember that I want us to live”
‘What’s The Buzz?’/’Strange Thing, Mystifying’
As the apostles bombard Jesus with questions about the future, Jesus tells them not to worry about what’s ahead. Mary tries to get Jesus to rest, and he points out to his apostles that she’s the only one looking out for his interests. Judas doesn’t think it wise for Jesus to spend so much time with a prostitute, and Jesus retorts that Judas shouldn’t judge the sins of others until he’s free of sin himself. He claims that none of the apostles really care about him at all.
Key lyric: “If you knew the path we’re riding/You’d understand it less than I”
‘Everything’s Alright’
Mary reassures Jesus whilst anointing him with oil. Judas doesn’t like this display, pointing out that the money spent on the oil could have gone to the more needy. Jesus tells him that they can’t save all the poor, and they might as well enjoy the comforts they have.
Key lyric: “Everything’s alright, yes everything’s fine/And we want you to sleep well tonight”
‘This Jesus Must Die’
Caiaphas, the High Priest of Israel, gathers the Pharisees and priests to discuss the problem of Jesus. They share some of Judas’ fears that Jesus’ followers will be seen as a threat by the Romans, which would bring consequences on the wider Jewish community. He convinces those gathered that Jesus must be executed to prevent serious consequences.
Key lyric: “I see blood and destruction, our elimination/Because of one man”
‘Hosanna’
Jesus and his followers arrive in Jerusalem, greeted by an adoring crowd. Caiaphas orders Jesus to disperse the crowds. Jesus greets them instead, telling Caiaphas he is wasting his breath.
Key lyric: “Hey JC, JC, won’t you fight for me?/Sanna ho, sanna hey, Superstar”
‘Simon Zealotes/Poor Jerusalam’
Another of the apostles, Simon the Zealot, suggests that Jesus lead his mob in a war against Rome, suggesting that Jesus could grab hold of a great deal of power. Jesus rejects this, telling Simon that neither he nor the masses understand what real power is.
Key lyric: “Keep them yelling their devotion/But add a touch of hate at Rome”
‘Pilate’s Dream’
Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, has a prescient dream in which he meets an unusual Galilean man, and is then blamed by a mob of his followers for the man’s death.
Key lyric: “Then I saw thousands of millions/Crying for this man/And then I heard them mentioning my name/And leaving me the blame”
‘The Temple’
Jesus arrives at the temple and finds it being used as a marketplace. Furious, he forces everyone to pack up and leave. He’s then approached by a group of lepers who want Jesus to heal them, but he becomes overwhelmed by the number of pleading voices and sends them away.
Key lyric: “Will you touch, will you mend me, Christ?”
‘Everything’s Alright (Reprise)’
In this brief reprise, Mary sings Jesus to sleep and helps him to forget his troubles.
Key lyric: “Close your eyes, close your eyes and forget all about us tonight”
‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’
The reprise transitions into this confessional solo from Mary, as she explains how lost she often feels in her relationship with Jesus. How best should someone support, comfort and love the son of God – especially when, so much of the time, he seems to be only a man?
Key lyric: “He scares me so/I want him so/I love him so”
‘Damned For All Time/Blood Money’
Afraid of the conflict he senses brewing and believing Jesus to be out of control, Judas goes to the Pharisees and suggests that he help them arrest Jesus. In exchange, the Pharisees offer him thirty pieces of silver, which he initially refuses, then accepts on Caiaphas suggestion that he use the money to help the poor. It is arranged that Jesus will be arrested on Thursday night in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Key lyric: “Why are we the prophets? Why are we the ones/Who see the sad solution – know what must be done?”
‘The Last Supper’
Act Two opens with the famous Last Supper, in which Jesus shares a meal with his apostles, and is frustrated by their drinking and lack of care for him. He tells them that Peter will deny him three times that night, and that another one of them will betray him. Judas admits that he is the traitor, but is angered to know that Jesus has no plan to escape or retaliate, claiming that he has lost some respect for him.
Jesus’ famous speech about the bread and wine takes on a different meaning here – knowing that his end is close, he points to the apostles that for all they care, they could be consuming his blood and body at that table.
Key lyric: “I must be mad thinking I’ll be remembered, yes/I must be out of my head!”
‘Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)’
Jesus goes to the garden of Gethsemane and prays, asking God for another way. He isn’t convinced of the success of his mission and pleads for more time. With no answer from above, he resigns himself to his fate.
Key lyric: “Why should I die?/Can you show me now that I would not be killed in vain?”
‘The Arrest’
Judas points out Jesus to the soldiers with a kiss on the cheek, solidifying his betrayal. The apostles say that they’ll fight for him, but Jesus tells him to stand down. As he’s brought before Caiaphas, the crowd begins to turn on him.
Key lyric: “Now we have him! Now we’ve got him!”
‘Peter’s Denial’
Peter meets three witnesses of Jesus’ arrest and denies knowing Jesus three times. Mary remembers that Jesus predicted this.
Key lyric: “Peter, don’t you know what you have said? You’ve gone and cut him dead”
‘Pilate and Christ’
Delivered before Pilate, Jesus is asked if he is King of the Jews, to which he replies: “That’s what you say.” Pilate sends Jesus on to King Herod, since Jesus is from Galilee and therefore not under his jurisdiction.
Key lyric: “How can someone in your state be so cool about your fate?”
‘King Herod’s Song (Try It And See)’
The energetic King Herod tries to goad Jesus into performing a miracle in front of him, to confirm his story. He says that he’ll let Jesus go free if he complies – when Jesus refuses, Herod is angered, and sends him back to Pilate.
Key lyric: “So, you are the Christ, you’re the great Jesus Christ/Prove to me that you’re divine – change my water into wine”
‘Could We Start Again, Please?’
Mary and the apostles remember when they first became followers of Jesus and plead to return to a time gone by, when everything looked hopeful.
Key lyric: “I think you’ve made your point now/You’ve even gone a bit too far to get the message home”
‘Judas’ Death’
Horrified at the way Jesus has been treated, and believing that he will soon be killed, Judas panics. He doesn’t think that Jesus will believe he was acting in the greater good and fears being remembered as a traitor. He takes his own life.
Key lyric: “God! I’ll never ever know why you chose me for your crime/Your foul, bloody crime!”
‘Trial Before Pilate (Including The 39 Lashes)’
As Pilate tries to interrogate Jesus, the mob demands a crucifixion. Pilate doesn’t believe Jesus has committed a crime, and suggests a flogging instead. He asks Jesus to defend himself, but Jesus maintains that God has chosen this course of events. Eventually, Pilate agrees to placate the crowd and crucify Jesus.
Key lyric: “You’re a fool, Jesus Christ, how can I help you?”
‘Superstar’
Judas returns, just a spirit now, and wonders why Jesus allowed himself to meet this fate. He questions why Jesus chose this time in history for his mission and what his real motivations were.
Key lyric: “Jesus Christ, Superstar/Do you think you’re what they say you are?”
‘The Crucifixion’
This spoken number sees Jesus deliver his final words, eventually dying upon the cross. The show ends with an instrumental as Jesus is taken down from the cross and buried.
Key lyric: “It is finished”
