About The Song
Among the more intriguing entries in Tammy Wynette’s later catalog is her 1978 recording of “I’d Like to See Jesus (On the Midnight Special)”, a song that blends spiritual yearning with a distinctly modern and even somewhat playful sensibility. At first glance, the title may strike the listener as almost whimsical—invoking the image of Christ appearing on a late-night television variety show—but behind that unexpected framing lies a song of deep emotional resonance and subtle cultural commentary. As with much of Wynette’s work, the power of the piece lies not only in the lyric but in the remarkable sensitivity with which she delivers it.
“I’d Like to See Jesus (On the Midnight Special)” was released at a time when both country music and American culture were undergoing significant shifts. The late ’70s brought increased crossover between country and pop, and artists like Wynette were navigating the balance between tradition and contemporary appeal. The Midnight Special, for those unfamiliar, was a popular musical television program known for featuring mainstream rock and pop acts. By expressing a desire to see Jesus appear there—among the commercial glitter of popular entertainment—the song cleverly reflects on the absence of spiritual values in modern media while also tapping into a deep personal longing for visibility, presence, and comfort in troubled times.
What makes the song stand out is the juxtaposition between its earnest spiritual message and the unexpected cultural reference point. In less capable hands, the premise might have felt contrived or gimmicky, but Tammy Wynette brings it to life with sincerity and understated emotional depth. Her voice, as always, is a conduit for quiet strength and aching vulnerability. She does not sermonize; she reflects. The lyric becomes a kind of prayer—not lofty or theological, but humble, rooted in real-life weariness and hope.
Musically, the track is gently arranged with hallmarks of the Billy Sherrill-produced countrypolitan style: soft strings, subdued piano, and restrained rhythm section. It’s a setting that allows Wynette’s voice to remain front and center, intimate and unhurried. The production never overwhelms the message, which is, ultimately, about the human need for reassurance in a noisy, chaotic world.
In “I’d Like to See Jesus (On the Midnight Special),” Wynette captures the complex emotional fabric of a believer who feels out of step with the times. It’s a song that marries faith and popular culture in a quietly profound way, suggesting that even amid the clamor of modern life, we still search for grace, for guidance, and for the comforting presence of something larger than ourselves. With this song, Tammy Wynette once again proves her ability to turn even the most unusual premise into a deeply moving expression of the human spirit.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
I’d like to see Jesus, on The Midnight SpecialI’d like to see the Wolfman bring him onI’d like to see Jesus, on The Midnight SpecialI’d like to hear him singin’ my favorite songRock of ages, cleft for meHeaven is eternityJesus loves me, this I knowHow great thou art, you saved my soulI’d like to see Jesus, on The Midnight SpecialI’d like to see the Wolf man bring him onI’d like to see Jesus, on The Midnight SpecialThat’s what it’s gonna take to turn the whole world onWhen I lay me down to sleepThere’s angels watchin’ over meSo gather round and clap your handsFor Jesus, the Wolf man and the angel bandI’d like to see Jesus, on The Midnight SpecialI’d like to see the Wolf man bring him onI’d like to see Jesus, on The Midnight SpecialI’d like to hear him singin’ my favorite songI’d like to see Jesus, on The Midnight SpecialI’d like to see the Wolf man bring him onI’d like to see Jesus, on The Midnight SpecialI’d like to hear him singin’ my favorite songI’d like to see Jesus, on The Midnight SpecialI’d like to see the Wolf man bring him onI’d like to see Jesus…