“Jesus Is Just Alright”  is a gospel song written by Arthur Reid Reynolds and first recorded by Reynolds’ own group, The Art Reynolds Singers, on their 1966 album, Tellin’ It Like It Is.  The song’s title makes use of the American slang term “all-right”, which during the 1960s was used to describe something that was considered ‘cool’ or very good.  The Doobie Brothers’ version of “Jesus Is Just Alright” was first released on their second album, Toulouse Street, in 1972.  It was subsequently released in November 1972 as the second single from the album (b/w “Rockin’ Down the Highway”) and went on to become a U.S. hit, peaking at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1973.  The band first became aware of “Jesus Is Just Alright” after hearing The Byrds’ version, and before long the song had been added to The Doobie Brothers’ own live repertoire.  As a result, the song’s musical arrangement is very similar to the one used by The Byrds, although The Doobie Brothers’ rendition does include an extra bridge that the band added themselves.  (More from Wikipedia)