Jesusland was the second single from Ben Folds' 2005 album Songs for Silverman.[1][2][3] The song captures Folds' dismay as he travels through middle America, witnessing the growing wealth and the commercialization of Jesus' message.[4] Per Folds, "'Jesusland' is sort of a walk across the country. You know, 'There’s a billboard, there’s a McMansion, there’s a couple nice houses'... just trying to put together a montage that recreates the playing field as you have it."[5]
It reached No. 42 on the UK airplay chart in October 2005.[6] It has also been playlisted by Xfm London and BBC Radio 2 (which lists it as "download only"). It reached No. 8 on the Radio Two chart.[7] The track was slated for a UK single release in September 2005, but it never made it to store shelves.
The video for the single features Matt Lucas as a televangelist interspersed with scenes of a journey through what may well be "Jesusland" itself. [8] The pair became friends after Lucas interviewed Folds for NME.[9]
The track was featured in the 2008 Bill Maher comedic documentary Religulous.[10]
"Jesusland - University A Cappella Version" was first performed by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Loreleis in 2008 for Ben Folds' University A Capella album.[12][13][14]
