Jesus Freak (song) - Release and Acclaim

Release and Acclaim

The song was released as a the lead-off single for Jesus Freak in 1995 and received positive comments from music critics. The single was released to alternative and modern rock stations, the band's first venture into these radio formats. Due to its dark, grunge sound – during an era when alternative rock was ruling the airwaves – the song was even played on some non-Christian stations. As part of the promotion strategy for the song, InterLinc, a Nashville-based Christian music promotion company, sent out over 4000 copies of the CD single to youth pastors, along with Bible study material. The single was also sent to rock and alternative stations, a first for the band. Commercially the single was successful; it initially charted on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles at number 25 with little mainstream radio assistance. The song peaked at number 10.

"Jesus Freak" received largely positive reviews from music critics. The song was even successful enough to garner praise from secular music reviews. Entertainment Weekly editor Laura Jamison, in a review for the Jesus Freak album, said that DC Talk, "successfully, if derivatively, combines textured vocals, aggressive guitar, and solid songwriting, especially on the raucous title track." In a review of "Jesus Freak", the Chicago Tribune said "In considering the group's artistic merits, it's time to bury the over-burdened label 'Christian band' DC Talk deserves to be judged by a different standard."

In addition to "Colored People" and "Between You and Me", "Jesus Freak" was considered instrumental in breaking DC Talk into the mainstream. "Jesus Freak" was extremely successful when it came to the GMA Dove Awards. In 1996, the song won awards for Song of the Year and Rock Recorded Song of the Year. The music video for the song later won the award for Short Form Music Video of the Year in 1997.