View source for This Jesus Must Die

{{Infobox song
| name     = This Jesus Must Die
| cover    =
| alt      =
| type     =
| artist   = [[Victor Brox]] and Brian Keith
| album    = [[Jesus Christ Superstar (album)|Jesus Christ Superstar]]
| released = September 1970
| format   =
| recorded = 1970
| studio   =
| venue    =
| genre    = [[Art rock]]
| length   = 5:11
| label    = [[Decca Records]]/[[MCA Records]]
| composer = [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]
| lyricist = [[Tim Rice]]
| producer = Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice
}}

"'''This Jesus Must Die'''" is a song from the [[Jesus Christ Superstar (album)|1970 album]] and 1971 rock opera ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' by [[Tim Rice]] and [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]], which also appears in the film versions of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar (film)|Jesus Christ Superstar]]'', and on [[Jesus Christ Superstar (album)|the original album of the musical]]. In the song, the priests, led by [[Caiaphas]] and [[Annas]], plot to kill [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]], whose teachings they believe will result in a [[Roman Empire|Roman]] crackdown against its [[History of the Jews in the Roman Empire|Jewish population]].

In the 1973 film, it is sung primarily by [[Bob Bingham]] as Caiaphas and [[Kurt Yaghjian]] as Annas; and on the 1970 album, by [[Victor Brox]] as Caiaphas and Brian Keith as Annas, with [[Gary Glitter|Paul Raven]] and Tim Rice providing the voices of the priests. In the 2000 film, it is sung by Frederick B. Owens as Caiaphas and [[Michael Shaeffer]] as Annas.

== Synopsis ==
According to the official ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' website, in the song:
{{quote|Caiaphas and the Priests discuss the problems caused by the mob following Jesus. They don't understand how he has managed to inspire people and believe that Jesus poses a very serious threat to their authority and the fragile relationship they have with the occupying force from Rome.<ref>[http://www.jesuschristsuperstar.com/the-show/synopsis/ Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015235803/http://www.jesuschristsuperstar.com/the-show/synopsis/ |date=2012-10-15 }}</ref>}}
The song begins with the Jewish priests fretting over the influence of the "rabble-rousing" [[Jesus]], but merely plotting to have him arrested.<ref>Joseph Peter Swain, ''The Broadway Musical: A Critical and Musical Survey'' (2002), p. 320.</ref> It is Caiaphas who insists that the threat posed by a Roman crackdown, "our elimination, because of one man", can only be averted by the death of Jesus, which would deliver a demoralizing blow to his followers.<ref name="Grace" />

==Analysis==
The song is noted for, after a slow beginning, launching into more of a "[[rock and roll]]" feel than many other songs in the musical, and being sung by a "growling [[Bass (voice type)|bass]]-voiced Caiaphas and his screechy [[tenor]] minions".<ref>Jessica Sternfeld, ''The Megamusical'' (2006), p. 48.</ref> The song has also been described as "a throwback to pre-Second World War depictions" of "[[Antisemitism|threatening Jews]]", although "their evil is somewhat modified".<ref name="Grace">Pamela Grace, ''The Religious Film: Christianity and the Hagiopic'' (2009), p. 95.</ref> The priests sing a melody that comes from [[J. S. Bach]]'s [[Bourrée in E minor]].<ref>[http://www.tmhs.tellurideschool.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12839956 "''Jesus Christ Superstar'' – songs, lyrics, themes and references"]</ref>

{{quote|Rather than the self-interested, conspiratorial priests of the [[Gospel of Mark]] or [[Cecil B. DeMille|DeMille]]'s ''[[The King of Kings (1927 film)|The King of Kings]]'', ''Superstar'''s priests decide that "this Jesus must die ...for the sake of the nation". Their intention to avert a murderous crackdown on the Jewish people reflects the representation of the high priest in the last canonical gospel—[[Gospel of John|John]].<ref name="Grace" />}}

The appearance of the song in the musical and in the film version of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar (film)|Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' is highlighted by an "emphasis on style".<ref name="Grace" /> The film uses "low camera angles which give a distorted view of the priests",<ref name="Magill">Frank Northen Magill, Stephen L. Hanson, Patricia King Hanson, ''Magill's American Film Guide'' (1983), Vol. 3, p. 1690.</ref> and "gives the priests extraordinary costumes", which includes "enormous, bizarrely shaped hats",<ref name="Grace" /> black flowing robes,<ref name="Magill" /> and "bare chests crossed by leather straps and chains".<ref name="Grace" />

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{YouTube|HU7htB3cyo4|"This Jesus Must Die"}}, ''Jesus Christ Superstar'', 2000 film

{{Jesus Christ Superstar}}
{{Lloyd Webber and Rice}}

[[Category:Songs from Jesus Christ Superstar]]
[[Category:1971 songs]]
[[Category:Songs with lyrics by Tim Rice]]
[[Category:Songs with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber]]
[[Category:Songs about Jesus]]