Review: "Jesus and John Wayne" - googly eyes x Joy Oladokun x Allison Ponthier

Karlee Skipper
Jun 20
4 min read

googly eyes x Joy Oladokun x Allison Ponthier "Jesus and John Wayne" Cover Art

“Jesus and John Wayne” by googly eyes, Joy Oladokun, and Allison Ponthier is a poignant track that is brutally honest about the dystopian Christian nationalism plaguing our country. As someone who is a Jesus-loving liberal with religious trauma, the track was a relatable ballad that exposes the sinister beliefs of our current administration. Inspired by the NYT Bestselling novel by Kristin Kobes Du Mez , googly eyes wrote the track as a reimagination of spirituality “as a source of healing, belonging, and radical love, especially for those the church has pushed aside.” In further elaboration on the meaning, googly eyes has expressed: “There’s so much love, grief, gratitude, and deep ache wrapped into my religious journey - especially as an American who’s watched people and politics essentially hijack the faith I grew up in. Anyone who’s gone through deconstruction knows how devastating and lonely it can feel.” These words eloquently describe my own struggle with believing in the teachings of Jesus Christ but turning my back on organized religion.

Throughout the song, the lyrics cut deep as the artists hold nothing back regarding the hypocrisy and bigotry of the modern church. This is apparent from the very first lyric: “I liked the teaching of Jesus so much that I followed him right out the door // When steeples kept preaching with hate on their tongues, and distaste for the meek, mild, and poor.” They continue with ingenious lines containing Biblical references and the devastation many Christians have felt after seeing the political climate of the past decade turn Jesus’s love into a vicious crusade against anyone who is not rich, straight, cisgender, white, or male. The song ends with perhaps my favorite bridge of all time, with the artists stating they cannot, for the life of them, remember the times Jesus said things like “Blessed are the war makers… Blessed skin like porcelain… Blessed is America, but only for Americans.” And I agree with them. The Jesus I was brought up learning about “wouldn’t really fit with everything [they’re] trying to do with him.”

“Jesus and John Wayne” was released amid widespread civil unrest, sparked by the injustices occurring throughout the nation and abroad. We needed a song like this now more than ever. The social justice continues beyond the lyrics, with 100% of proceeds going towards Jack Antonoff’s LGBTQ+ organization, The Ally Coalition. Learn more about the organization here: The Ally Coalition | Taking Action For LGBTQ Equality.

“Jesus and John Wayne” contains a whimsical folk-pop and Americana-influenced soundscape that sets the authentic, emotionally driven atmosphere. The stunning instrumentation beautifully complements the harmonies of all three singers. With Americana and country music often being tied to the exact people these lyrics are about, it is a bold and calculated decision. The artists ingeniously incorporated the genre for two reasons (in my mind anyway): 1) to lure the song's muse in, only to rip them to shreds, and 2) to reframe the genre, giving fans of the style a safe song and safe artists to listen to. As someone who also grew up listening to and loving country music, it has pained me to see some of my childhood favorites speak out against the causes I hold near and dear to my heart. With “Jesus and John Wayne,” googly eyes, Joy Oladakun, and Allisom Ponthier have given me back this genre that once defined my taste.

About googly eyes

googly eyes is an indie-pop singer, songwriter, and producer. She made her debut in 2022 with her single, “Don’t Forget To Breathe.” Since then, she has released a handful of full-length albums and EPs and is signed to Neon Gold, a NYC-based boutique independent record label.

About Joy Oladakun

Joy Oladakun is an American singer-songwriter based in Nashville. Her style is a blend of several genres, including folk, R&B, rock, and pop. Her music is heavily influenced by her identity as a queer person of color. She made her debut in 2016 with her album, Carry. Since then, she has released four additional albums. She is currently on tour! Get your tickets today here: Tour — Joy Oladokun.

About Allison Ponthier

Allison Ponthier is an indie folk singer-songwriter from Texas, now based in New York City. She approaches songwriting like a diary, sharing with audiences glimpses into her life. She has received critical acclaim from Billboard and performed on The Tonight Show in 2022. She has released several EPs and is set to release her debut full-length album later this year. She has toured with big names, such as Bleachers (Jack Antonoff’s band), The Japanese House, Hayley Kiyoko, and more. I had the honor of being introduced to her in 2023 when she opened for Holly Humberstone in Los Angeles. Follow her on all socials to stay up to date with new releases and announcements. And come back to Pop Passion Blog soon after her album release for my review!